54-2212. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE OF FOREIGN-EDUCATED PHYSICAL THERAPISTS. (1) An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who has been educated outside of the United States shall:

(a) Be of good moral character;

(b) Submit a completed written application to the board on forms furnished by the board which shall require proof of graduation from a school for physical therapists or physical therapist assistants with a curriculum acceptable to the board;

(c) Have his or her education credentials evaluated by a board approved credential evaluation agency and provide satisfactory evidence that his or her education is substantially equivalent to the requirements of physical therapists or physical therapist assistants educated in accredited educational programs as determined by the board. If the board determines that a foreign-educated applicant’s education is not substantially equivalent, it may require successful completion of additional coursework before proceeding with the application process;

(d) Provide written proof that the school of physical therapy education is recognized by its own ministry of education and that such education would qualify the person for a license to practice physical therapy without limitation in that country;

(e) If the applicant has actually practiced as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant abroad, the applicant shall provide written proof of authorization to practice as a physical therapist without limitation in the country where the professional education occurred;

(f) Provide proof of legal authorization to reside and seek employment in the United States or its territories;

(g) Provide proof of passing scores on standardized English proficiency examinations as approved by the board if English is not the applicant’s native language; and

(h) Have successfully passed competency examinations authorized by the board.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if the foreign-educated physical therapist or physical therapist assistant applicant is a graduate of a professional physical therapy education program accredited by an agency approved by the board, requirements in subsections (1)(c) and (1)(d) of this section shall be waived.

History:

[(54-2212) 54-2211, added 2001, ch. 197, sec. 2, p. 670; am. and redesig. 2006, ch. 116, sec. 9, p. 320; am. 2009, ch. 95, sec. 2, p. 281; am. 2010, ch. 107, sec. 1, p. 218.]