§2410. Qualifications for license; foreign graduates

A graduate of a school of physical therapy outside of the United States may qualify for a license as a physical therapist upon compliance with the provisions of R.S. 37:2409(1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) as well as with all of the following provisions:

(1)(a) Provides satisfactory evidence of successful completion of a foreign physical therapy education curriculum that is substantially equivalent to the requirements for physical therapists educated in accredited physical therapy schools located within the United States.

(b) A graduate of a foreign physical therapy education curriculum shall establish substantial equivalence by presenting documentation satisfactory to the board of the successful completion of all of the following:

(i) A foreign physical therapy education curriculum accredited by a board-approved accrediting agency containing courses which prepared the applicant to work as a physical therapist and that is recognized by the educational regulatory authority where the school is located.

(ii) A credential evaluation as directed by the board that determines that the candidate has met uniform criteria for educational requirements as further established by board rule.

(iii) Any additional education as required by the board.

(2) Provides proof of identity in the form of a valid drivers license and social security card, passport, or as additionally provided by the board.

(3) Provides documentation satisfactory to the board of verification of any and all professional or trade licenses, certifications, and permits, past or present, held in any country, province, or state, including the United States, as required by the board.

(4) Achieves a passing score on a board-approved English proficiency examination if the applicant's native language is not English.

(5) Completes supervised clinical practice requirements as defined by board rule.

(6) Meets all additional requirements established by board rule.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 68, §1. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 667, §1; Acts 1980, No. 398, §1; Acts 1983, No. 555, §1; Acts 1992, No. 731, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1269, §1, eff. July 8, 2003; Acts 2009, No. 535, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2017, No. 300, §1.