64B17-3.007. Board Approved Credentialing Agencies; Credentials Evaluation Reports

(1) For purposes of identifying appropriate agencies to conduct credentialing evaluations of non-United States educated applicants, the Board approves the following:

(a) The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy Education (FCCPT), or

(b) Any other organization which meets the criteria of subsection (2), below.

(2) Criteria for Board approval as an educational credentialing agency. The Board will approve credentialing agencies to conduct educational equivalence evaluations if such agency:

(a) Has a comprehensive, standardized orientation and training program for all reviewers who must be experienced and knowledgeable in the area of physical therapy education;

(b) Has an audit and quality assurance or review committee that regularly meets to monitor the evaluation process and to provide random audits of the credentials reviews;

(c) Uses the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) coursework evaluation tool that reflects the educational criteria in place at the time of graduation;

(d) Employs full time staff support, including an international expert in General Education credential equivalency and analysis;

(e) Has an updated, current, and comprehensive resource document library available for reference;

(f) Uses two independent physical therapists to perform the professional education component of the credentials reviews; and,

(g) Uses original documentation from the institution with institutional seals and signatures and does not permit notarized copies of transcripts or course descriptions for credentials reviews.

(3) Educational equivalency evaluation reports.

(a) All educational credentials evaluation reports must contain, at a minimum, the following information:

1. A clear and definitive statement as to whether the education is equivalent to a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy educational program,

2. Whether the institution is accredited by any governmental agency and, if so, which agency,

3. A list of courses in general education and professional education with the United States post-secondary equivalent course indicated; and,

4. A statement that the educational expert’s or physical therapist’s evaluation is not affiliated with the institutions or individual under review.

(b) All opinions contained in the report shall be substantiated by reference to the source materials that form the basis for the opinion.

Rulemaking Authority 486.025, 486.031(3), 486.102, 486.104 FS. Law Implemented 486.031, 486.102 FS. History–New 2-14-17.