Revision date: 08/2009
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DIVISION
Board of Examiners for Occupational Therapy
Toney Anaya Building ▪ 2550 Cerrillos Road ▪ Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
(505) 476-4940 ▪ Fax (505) 476-4645 ▪ www.rld.state.nm.us/occupationaltherapy
RENEWAL FACT SHEET
To expedite the processing of your annual renewal, take note of the following information, which is
addition to the information provided on the renewal form.
Incomplete, illegible, or incorrect information will cause delays in processing your application.
RENEWAL DEADLINE
Note that the renewal deadline is approximately two weeks prior to the actual expiration date of the
license. This deadline must be adhered to if you need to have your license returned to you by the
expiration date. The Board has limited staff and, providing all documentation is correct and complete, the
process normally takes two weeks from receipt of renewal form to mailing of your license, Do not expect
to walk in on the expiration date and walk out with a license.
LATE FEE
Any renewal applications postmarked after the expiration date of the license will be charged a
late fee. Refer to the rules and regulations for the amount of this fee.
All renewal applications received after the license expiration date require proof of attendance for
all continuing education submitted, regardless of audit.
EXPIRED LICENSE
Remember that it is unlawful to practice in New Mexico with an expired license. There is NO GRACE
PERIOD. The expiration date of your license is printed on the license. A license not renewed by the
expiration date is expired. A license cannot be renewed without submission of a renewal form, payment
of the annual renewal fee, AND the required proof or documentation of continuing education. Practicing
without a license is punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both.
It is the responsibility of the licensee to notify the office of any address and/or name changes. As a
courtesy, the Board office mails a renewal postcard to all current licensees at least 30 days prior to the
expiration date of the license. However, the licensee is responsible for knowing when their license
expires. It is NOT the responsibility of the office to verify that you receive a renewal notice. If you prefer
to use a paper renewal application, you can download one from the Forms page of the website.
ONLINE RENEWAL
To renew online: www.RLD.state.nm.us/OccupationalTherapy/renewal.html
If this is your first time renewing online, read the instructions and answers to frequently asked
questions about online renewal. Your Renewal ID number is posted on the front of the renewal notice
postcard next to your name and address or you can request this ID number from the Board office. To
register online, the key points to remember are.
You must register the first time you use the online process.
An e-mail address is required so you can receive confirmation of your renewal application.
A credit card is required for payment.
Board of Examiners for Occupational Therapy
RENEWAL FACT SHEET
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSION DIVISION
Page 2 of 3 Revision date: 08/2009
COTAs AND SUPERVISION LOGS
REMINDER: A copy of the Supervision Log must be submitted to the Board with each renewal
application. The Supervision Log should be current to within one week of the date you sign your renewal
form.
The Supervision Log must be turned in with every COTA renewal regardless of whether the COTA was
employed during the entire year. A written statement of the period of unemployment should be attached
to the Supervision Log and submitted with the renewal form.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
If you submit continuing education programs taken between the renewal deadline and the expiration date
from the previous year, these programs will be approved provided they were not submitted for the prior
renewal period and that they adhere to the definition of continuing education in occupational therapy.
PROOF OF ATTENDANCE AND COMPLETION IS ALWAYS REQUIRED IF—
You are being audited. You may not renew online if you are being audited.
You must mail your
CE certificates of attendance along with a paper renewal form to the Board office. The renewal form
is available for download from the Forms page of the website. Submit proof of attendance for the
current renewal year only.
You submit continuing education programs dated after the date you signed the renewal form, you
will be notified that proof of attendance will be required before credit is given. This applies whether
you are audited or not.
You are renewing late: renewal applications received after the license expiration date will require
proof of attendance for all continuing education submitted regardless of whether you are audited or
not.
For certain types of continuing education: Whether you are audited or not, you must submit proof of
attendance and of successful completion of the following types of continuing education. Refer to
16.15.4 NMAC or Part 4 of the rules and regulations for the required documentation, as all of these
programs are always audited, and absence of proof of completion will result in a delay in processing
your renewal license.
In-service programs
Book reports
Video/Cassette recorded material
Home study programs
College courses
Supervision of Level II fieldwork
DOCUMENTATION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
Be sure to include the correct year that the continuing education was earned. Dates must be specific,
especially multiple dates. Be sure to document all the days attended.
If you record a single date for a course with eight (8) or more contact hours, it will be questioned. Courses
usually do not exceed seven (7) contact hours in one day.
One contact hour is equal to 60 minutes.
One nursing hour is equal to 50 minutes and will be converted based on 60 minutes in an hour if
nursing hours are submitted.
One continuing education unit (CEU) is equal to 10 contact hours.
Board of Examiners for Occupational Therapy
RENEWAL FACT SHEET
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSION DIVISION
Page 3 of 3 Revision date: 08/2009
Be sure your Certificates of Attendance include the following:
1. Your name
2. Name of the program attended
3. Dates attended
4. Number of contact hours or continuing education units
5. Signature of the program sponsor
CARRY-OVER HOURS
Less than one hour will no longer be carried over.
The maximum hours that can be carried over are twenty (20).
