Delaware Code Title 24. Professions and Occupations § 2002. Definitions

(1) “Applicant” means an individual who applies to be licensed under this chapter.

(2) “Board” means the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice established in this chapter.

(3) “Division” means the Division of Professional Regulation.

(4) “Excessive use or abuse of drugs or alcohol” or “excessively uses or abuses drugs or alcohol” means any use of narcotics, controlled substances, or illegal drugs without a prescription from a licensed physician, or the abuse of alcoholic beverage such that it impairs a person's ability to perform the work of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

(5) “Licensee” means an individual licensed under this chapter to practice occupational therapy services.

(6) “Occupational therapist” means a person who is licensed to practice occupational therapy under this chapter and offers such services to the public under any title incorporating the words “occupational therapy,” “occupational therapist,” or any similar title or description of occupational therapy services.

(7) “Occupational therapy assistant” means a person licensed to assist in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision of an occupational therapist.

(9) “Person” means a corporation, company, association, or partnership, or an individual.

(10) “Practice of occupational therapy” means the use of goal-directed activities with individuals who are limited by physical limitations due to injury or illness, psychiatric and emotional disorders, developmental or learning disabilities, poverty and cultural differences, or the aging process, in order to maximize independence, prevent disability, and maintain health.

(11) “Substantially related” means the nature of the criminal conduct for which a person was convicted has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability to perform 1 or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the practice of occupational therapy.

(12) “Supervision” means the interactive process between a licensed occupational therapist and an occupational therapy assistant, and requires more than a paper review or cosignature.  “Supervision” means that the supervising occupational therapist is responsible for insuring the extent, kind, and quality of the services that the occupational therapy assistant renders.