The Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy is a six member board appointed by the Governor to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Georgia. The Board meets every other month to regulate persons offering occupational therapy services to the citizens of Georgia.

Occupational therapy is the evaluation and treatment of individuals whose abilities to cope with the tasks of living are threatened or impaired by developmental deficiencies, the aging process, learning disabilities, poverty and cultural differences, physical injury or disease, psychological and social disabilities or anticipated dysfunction. Licensed occupational therapists and licensed occupational therapist assistants offer care in a variety of health care areas including hospitals, schools and private practice. The licensed occupational therapy assistant is supervised or consultants with the occupational therapist.

Board meetings are open to the public and are generally held at the Secretary of State’s office in Macon. During the meetings, the Board reviews correspondence, applications for licensure, and complaints. Persons wishing to submit complaints or other matters for Board consideration should submit the matter in writing to the office.

On June 11, 2009, the spread of the H1N1 flu virus caused the World Health Organization to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6, the highest level. Georgia officials are currently preparing for the H1N1 influenza campaign and the seasonal influenza campaign that will be conducted during fall and winter. The Department of Community Health is asking all health professionals to serve as emergency response volunteers by signing up to assist with the 2009-2010 novel H1N1 vaccine immunization plan. For more information and to sign up for the online volunteer pool at www.servga.org.