ORS Chapter 675 - Occupational Therapy Practice Act: Definitions, Scope, and Title Protection
ORS Chapter 675 frames Oregon's Occupational Therapy Practice Act. The jurisprudence exam tests how the statute defines occupational therapy, who may practice, and how titles are protected; it is not a test of clinical technique.
Statutory definitions and scope
ORS 675.210 defines occupational therapy as evaluation and treatment that uses purposeful activity and selected interventions to develop, restore, or maintain function; it addresses physical, sensory, cognitive, psychosocial, and developmental performance. An occupational therapist may evaluate, plan and provide intervention, consult, educate, and design adaptive equipment or orthoses within competence. An occupational therapy assistant implements the OT's plan under supervision. The Act does not authorize medical diagnosis, prescribing, or surgery; licensees must refer when a condition is outside scope.
Title protection
Only a person licensed by the Oregon Board of Occupational Therapy may use the titles 'occupational therapist' or 'occupational therapy assistant' and the abbreviations OT and OTA. Advertising and job titles must not imply licensure for unlicensed staff. Using a protected title without a license is unprofessional conduct and can lead to Board action.
Worked example
A clinic advertises 'OT services' and assigns an unlicensed aide to lead a cooking group. The aide may assist with non-skilled tasks, but calling the aide an OT or billing the group as occupational therapy is a title and scope violation. The supervising OT must design the group, set goals, and remain accountable.
Traps
Do not confuse 'occupational' with vocational placement only; Oregon OT covers daily living, work, play, and mental health. Do not assume an OTA may evaluate independently. Do not rely on employer policy to expand a statutory scope boundary.