OT advisory committee denies waiver request to licensure rules in case no. 313237 after executive session

The Occupational Therapy Advisory Committee of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners met in executive session on March 13 and returned with a formal action to deny a requested waiver to the board’s licensure rules in case number 313237.

After the private session, Raylena Crooks made the motion "I, Raylena Crooks, make the motion to deny request for a waiver to rules governing licensure," which was seconded and carried by members voting in favor. Committee leadership confirmed there was no public comment on the matter before or after the vote.

Why it matters: the denial maintains the board’s existing licensure standards for the applicant in question and signals the advisory committee’s approach to waiver requests. A committee member asked how the decision will be recorded; staff directed members to follow up with Jacinta Dutu in administration to obtain the applicant-file documentation and the minutes reflecting the decision.

Next steps: staff will update the applicant file with the committee’s decision and provide members with the official minutes. The committee scheduled its next regular meeting for May 8, 2026.