§ 5-40-7.1. Licensing of physical therapist assistants. (a) By examination. The applicant is required to pass with a grade determined by the board an examination approved by the department in consultation with the board.

(b) Without examination by endorsement. A license may be issued without examination to an applicant who has been licensed by examination as a physical therapist assistant under the laws of another state or territory or District of Columbia, if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications required of physical therapist assistants in this state.

(c)(1) Graduate practice. Every graduate of a board-approved physical therapist assistant educational program who has filed a physical therapy application may, upon receiving a permit from the department of health, perform as a physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed in this state.

(2) During this period, the applicant shall identify himself or herself only as a "graduate physical therapist assistant."

(3) If the applicant fails to take the examination, as specified in subsection (a), within ninety (90) days from the effective date of graduate status, without cause or fails to pass the examination and receive a license, all privileges provided in subsections (c)(1) and (c)(2) automatically cease.

(d)(1) Foreign-trained applicants. If the foreign-trained applicant has successfully met the requirements of the rules and regulations, the applicant's credentials shall be accepted by the board.

(2) Prior to becoming licensed in this state, the foreign-trained applicant must also meet all of the appropriate requirements described in this section or its equivalent as established in rules and regulations.

History of Section. (P.L. 1988, ch. 359, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch. 133, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 152, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 308, art. 1, § 19.)