(1) If a certified physical therapist assistant suffers from a physical illness; a physical condition; or a behavioral or mental health disorder rendering the certified physical therapist assistant unable to practice with reasonable skill and patient safety, the certified physical therapist assistant shall notify the board of the physical illness; the physical condition; or the behavioral or mental health disorder in a manner and within a period of time determined by the board. The board may require the certified physical therapist assistant to submit to an examination, or the board may evaluate the extent of the physical illness; the physical condition; or the behavioral or mental health disorder and its impact on the certified physical therapist assistant's ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients.

(2) (a) Upon determining that a certified physical therapist assistant with a physical illness; a physical condition; or a behavioral or mental health disorder is able to render limited physical therapy with reasonable skill and patient safety, the board may enter into a confidential agreement with the certified physical therapist assistant in which the certified physical therapist assistant agrees to limit his or her practice based on the restrictions imposed by the physical illness; the physical condition; or the behavioral or mental health disorder, as determined by the board.

(b) The agreement must specify that the certified physical therapist assistant is subject to periodic reevaluations or monitoring as determined appropriate by the board.

(c) The parties may modify or dissolve the agreement as necessary based on the results of a reevaluation or of monitoring.

(d) By entering into an agreement with the board under this subsection (2) to limit his or her practice, the certified physical therapist assistant is not engaging in unprofessional conduct. The agreement is an administrative action and does not constitute a restriction or discipline by the board. However, if the certified physical therapist assistant fails to comply with the terms of an agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection (2), the failure constitutes grounds for disciplinary action under section 12-41-210 (1)(i) and the certified physical therapist assistant is subject to discipline in accordance with section 12-41-211.

(3) This section does not apply to a physical therapist assistant subject to discipline under section 12-41-210 (1)(h).