I am an occupationaly therapy doctoral student at Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin University writing on behalf of my future profession. For over 100 years now, occupational therapy has proven an effective intervention for those with mental illness. In all OT programs across the country--both master's or doctorate level--students receive countless hours of education on psychosocial rehabilitative care for patients of all diagnoses, but especially those with mental illness. To obtain a state license to practice occupational therapy, one must display deep levels of understanding of how to provide patient-centered, individualized therapy to those with mental illness. Mental health is where our profession started; it is a setting in which the purpose of occupational therapy shines through. 

I am asking that the Part II Requirements for Registration regulation 18VAC115-80-40 B.5. Requirements for registration as a QMHP-A and 18VAC115-80-50 B.4. Requirements for registration as a QMHP-C be changed from the current Emergency Regulations to the following replacement:

Licensure as an occupational therapist by the Board of Medicine (§ 54.1-2900 of the Code of Virginia) with a master’s or doctoral degree, and an internship or practicum of at least 500 hours with persons with mental illness or one year of experience in a mental health setting.