The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-499) classifies occupational therapy as a qualifying service under the home health benefit and also identifies comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities as providers under Medicare Part B. The OT Archives and Library are formally organized in AOTF. The registry listing the names of qualified therapists, originally started in 1932, is published for the last time, as states will now provide this information. “The  Guide for Supervision of Occupational Therapy Personnel” is published.

Qualifying service language regarding occupational therapy in home health was rescinded as part of budget cuts passed under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (P.L. 97-35).  However, occupational therapy in home health was expanded to allow for continuation of home health services based on need for occupational therapy.  AOTF begins publishing the Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, with Elaine Viseltear as its first editor.

AOTA develops specialty awards and certification. The Association publishes “A Guide for Instrument Development and Validation” and “Occupational Therapy for Sensory Integrative Dysfunction.” 

AOTF establishes the Academy of Research “to recognize occupational therapists whose exemplary contributions through research have served to advance the knowledge base of the profession.”

The AOTA Manpower Study initiated in 1983 sets priorities for the Association in education, practice, and research, stating “it is clear that population needs and actual demand are not being met by the current supply of occupational therapy personnel.” 

The Education for the Handicapped Amendments of 1986 (P.L. 99-457) includes two new programs: pre-school special education and related services, including occupational therapy, for ages 3–5 and early intervention services for infants and toddlers birth to age 3, in which occupational therapy is identified as a primary service. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-509) establishes separate coverage for occupational therapy as a distinct Medicare Part B benefit and OTs as private practitioners, as well as expands Part B availability to skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation agencies, and establishes a $500 cap for private practitioners in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology.  An autonomous American Occupational Therapy Certification Board is created to separate AOTA membership from certification; OTR and COTA certification-related activities become AOTCB’s responsibility. AOTA establishes the COTA Advisory Committee to AOTA’s Executive Board. Martha Kirkland is hired as AOTF’s first Executive Director.

AOTA purchases and begins publishing OT Week, a magazine that later ceases publication in 1995. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (P.L. 100-203) revamps and toughens the conditions for skilled nursing  and intermediate care facilities, sets new conditions for home health agencies, allows comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities to provide occupational therapy, increases the maximum annual payment for outpatient psychiatric occupational therapy, and includes occupational therapy in the definition of partial hospitalization services. AOTF establishes the A. Jean Ayres Award.

The Professional and Technical Role Analysis Study, started in 1985, is published. PATRA is the first comprehensive practice analysis study of OT and OTA job-related tasks that provides knowledge and skills statements for OTs and OTAs.

The AOTA/AOTF Centers of Research and the AOTA/AOTF Center on Outcomes Research and Education are established. AOTA publishes a position paper on HIV. Uniform Terminology–II is adopted.