A. Except as otherwise provided by law, to be eligible for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant pursuant to the provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act an applicant shall pass an examination based on standards promulgated by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision pursuant to the Physical Therapy Practice Act which shall include a written examination testing the knowledge of the applicant on:

1. The basic and clinical sciences as they relate to physical therapy theory and physical therapy procedures; and

2. Such other subjects as the Board may deem necessary to test the applicant's fitness to practice physical therapy or as a physical therapist assistant. Examinations shall be held within this state at least once per year, at such time and place as the Board shall determine.

B. 1. In addition to the requirements provided by subsection A of this section, and except as provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection or subsection D of this section, an applicant for a license to practice as a physical therapist shall have graduated from a school of physical therapy approved by a national accrediting body which has been recognized by the Board.

2. An applicant for a license to practice as a physical therapist who has been educated through a program or school of physical therapy which is or has been sponsored by a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States may be licensed as a physical therapist if the Board determines that the education of the applicant is substantially equivalent to, or exceeds, the requirements of accredited educational programs.

C. 1. In addition to the requirements provided by subsection A of this section, and except as provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection, an applicant for a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant shall have graduated from an approved program for physical therapist assistants consisting of at least a two-year program approved by a national accrediting body which has been recognized by the Board. An approved course of study shall include such elementary and intermediate courses in the anatomical, biological, and physical sciences as may be determined by the Board.

2. An applicant for a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant who has been educated through a program for physical therapist assistants which is or has been sponsored by a branch of the Armed Forces of the United States may be licensed as a physical therapist assistant if the Board determines that the education of the applicant is substantially equivalent to, or exceeds, the requirements of accredited educational programs.

D. 1. Except as otherwise provided by paragraph 2 of this subsection, an applicant for licensure as a physical therapist who has been educated in physical therapy outside the United States shall meet the following qualifications:

a.have completed the application process,

b.provide satisfactory evidence that their education is substantially equivalent to the requirements of physical therapists 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 completion of additional course work before proceeding with the application process,

c.provide written proof that the school of physical therapy education is recognized by its own ministry of education,

d.provide written proof of authorization to practice as a physical therapist without limitations in the country where the professional education occurred,

e.provide proof of legal authorization to reside and seek employment in the United States or its territories,

f.have their educational credentials evaluated by a Board-approved credential evaluation agency,

g.have passed the Board-approved English proficiency examinations if their native language is not English,

h.have participated in an interim supervised clinical practice period prior to licensure, which may be waived at the discretion of the Board, if:

(1)the applicant for licensure is able to verify the successful completion of one (1) year of clinical practice in the United States or the District of Columbia, or

(2)the applicant is able to document exceptional expertise acceptable to the Board in the fields of research, education, or clinical practice, and

i.have successfully passed the national examination approved by the Board.

2. If the foreign-educated physical therapist applicant is a graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy education program, requirements in subparagraphs b, c, f and h of paragraph 1 of this subsection may be waived.

E. When a foreign-educated applicant satisfies the qualifications for licensure set forth in subparagraphs a through g of paragraph 1 of subsection D of this section, prior to licensure the Board shall issue an interim permit to the applicant for the purpose of participating in a supervised clinical practice period. The time period of an interim permit shall not be less than ninety (90) days nor more than six (6) months. An interim permit holder, to the satisfaction of the Board, shall complete a period of clinical practice under the continuous and immediate supervision of a physical therapist who holds an unrestricted license issued pursuant to the Physical Therapy Practice Act in a facility approved by the Board.

F. 1. In addition to the requirements provided by subsection A of this section, the Board may require an applicant for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant pursuant to the provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act, as a condition for eligibility for initial licensure, to submit a full set of fingerprints in a form and manner prescribed by the Board.

2. The Board is authorized to obtain state and national criminal history record information on the applicant.

3. The Board shall not disseminate criminal history record information resulting from the background check outside of this state.

Added by Laws 1965, c. 153, § 6, emerg. eff. May 26, 1965. Amended by Laws 1969, c. 345, § 5; Laws 1987, c. 13, § 5, eff. July 1, 1987; Laws 1997, c. 126, § 2; Laws 2019, c. 198, § 2, emerg. eff. April 29, 2019; Laws 2019, c. 363, § 37, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.