Note: After you successfully register for this course below, you will receive an email confirmation message with the step-by-step instructions on how to access this course on our Learning Management System (LMS) website at this link. Please be sure to save that email message until after you have completed the course and received your CE certificate. 

ILOTA 2025 Course - Cultural Competency Training

(CE credit: 1.0 contact hours in cultural competency training.)

Register here!

This course fulfills the IDFPR cultural competency training requirement to maintain OT licensure in the state of Illinois.

Occupational therapy practice, research, and education are strengthened when practitioners embrace culturally responsive approaches. Developing cultural humility entails an ongoing commitment to reflective behaviors, inclusive attitudes, and adaptable processes that foster meaningful collaboration across diverse cultural contexts. This course invites participants to expand their knowledge, skills, and self-awareness to enhance cultural responsiveness and deliver equitable, person-centered care.

Although “culturally relevant care” is the more contemporary and preferred term, this CEU intentionally incorporates the term cultural competence to align with Illinois licensure requirements. The training also examines related concepts, including cultural humility, sensitivity, and relevance, while explaining the importance of using these terms in practice.

Grounded in evidence, this course highlights how cultural identities, values, and experiences influence occupational engagement and health outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights from Illinois occupational therapy practitioners who share how they integrate culturally relevant care into their work, as well as from certified language interpreters who will discuss practical strategies for collaborating with clients who use a primary language other than English. Through guided reflection and actionable tools, occupational therapy practitioners will refine their capacity to deliver inclusive, culturally responsive care that strengthens therapeutic relationships and advances occupational participation.

1. Distinguish cultural competency, cultural humility, and cultural sensitivity and explain its relevance and importance in occupational therapy practice.
2. Identify and describe the integrated attitudes, knowledge, and skills required to deliver effective and equitable care to patients from various cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds.
3. Analyze and address cultural differences in occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and therapeutic relationships to promote culturally responsive care.
4. Develop and apply practical strategies to enhance personal and organizational cultural competence, including reflective practices, patient-centered communication, and continuous learning mindsets.

Elizabeth (Liz) Wanka, DrOT, MOT, OTR/L

This course is available on ILOTA's Learning Management System (LMS) website at this link. After you successfully register for this course, you will be sent a confirmation email message with a link to our LMS website. You will have to log in to the LMS website with the same Username and Password credentials that you use to log in to our www.ilota.org website, as a member or non-member. After viewing the recording, you must successfully complete (80%) a 5-question assessment in order to receive your CE certificate. The CE certificate will be emailed to you, and will be available on our LMS website under: My Account > My Certificates.

(Not a member? Join today!)

Register here!

1.0 contact hours of continuing education credit in cultural competency training will be awarded after viewing the video recording and successfully completing (80%) the assessment.

Course content, registration, assessment, and records provided and maintained by the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association.
The Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA) is a recognized affiliate of AOTA. ILOTA is an approved CE provider in the
State of Illinois as indicated in Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act Rules Section 1315.145.