Section 43-28-7. General powers and duties of board; continuing professional education

   (a) The board shall administer, coordinate, and enforce this chapter.

(b) The board shall have the responsibility of evaluating the qualifications and providing for the examination of applicants for licensure under this chapter and shall assist the division director in carrying out this chapter. The division director shall have the authority to contract with an outside agency for services providing for the supervision and administration of the examination as needed.

(c) The board may issue subpoenas, examine witnesses, and administer oaths and may investigate allegations of practices violating this chapter.

(d) The board shall adopt rules and regulations relating to professional conduct to carry out the policy of this chapter, including, but not limited to, regulations relating to professional licensure and the establishment of ethical standards of practice for persons holding a license to practice occupational therapy in this state and may amend or repeal the same in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act."

(e) The board shall conduct such hearings and keep such records and minutes as are necessary to carry out its functioning. It shall provide reasonable public notice to the appropriate persons of the time and place of all hearings authorized under this chapter in such a manner and at such times as it may determine by its rules and regulations.

(f) The board shall prepare or approve all examinations of applicants for license at least twice a year, determine the qualifications and authorize the issuance of licenses to qualified occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, issue and renew licenses, suspend or revoke licenses in the manner provided, and determine the qualifications and approved qualified occupational therapy schools and courses in occupational therapy for the purpose of determining qualifications of applicants for licensure.

(g) The board may provide for the continuing professional education of persons subject to this chapter by appropriate regulation.

Ga. L. 1976, p. 993, § 5; Ga. L. 1982, p. 2224, § 2; Ga. L. 1991, p. 379, § 3; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1706, § 19.