Limited Registration

Due to a number of recent incidents where therapists have commenced practice whilst either holding "limited" or "non-practising" registration only, or prior to lodging an application for registration, the Board wishes to remind all registrants that it is the responsibility of the profession as a whole to ensure that all persons practising occupational therapy are appropriately registered and entitled to practice.

Registrants who are granted "limited" registration will have specific conditions placed on their registration. In many cases this will be that the therapist may not engage in the practice of occupational therapy until they provide the Board with evidence of professional indemnity insurance. In other instances, a therapist may be required to work under supervision - this primarily relates to persons with overseas qualifications, or persons returning to the workforce and needing to upgrade their skills.

Section 34 of the Occupational Therapy Practice Act 2005 states that:

1. A person whose registration is limited or subject to a condition under this Act must not hold himself or herself out as having a registration that is not limited or not subject to a condition or permit another person to do so - Maximum penalty: $50,000 or imprisonment for six months.
2. A person must not hold out another whose registration is limited or subject to a condition under this Act as having a registration that is not limited or subject to a condition - Maximum penalty: $50,000 or imprisonment for six months.