of issuance of an Order regarding the Petition for Variance or Waiver, filed July 1, 2014, by Bini Sathish Thomas. Notice of Petition for Waiver or Variance was published July 9, 2014, in Vol. 40, No. 132, of the Florida Administrative Register. ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Physical Therapy Practice

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B17-3.003Licensure by Endorsement

The Board of Physical Therapy Practice hereby gives notice of issuance of an Order regarding the Petition for Variance or Waiver, filed July 1, 2014, by Bini Sathish Thomas. Notice of Petition for Waiver or Variance was published July 9, 2014, in Vol. 40, No. 132, of the Florida Administrative Register. Petitioner requested a variance or waiver of the requirement in Rule 64B17-3.003, F.A.C., that applicants for licensure by endorsement meet certain educational requirements, including a determination that her credentials are equivalent to those of a U.S.-educated physical therapist, and that an applicant may demonstrate minimum qualifications for licensure by submitting a certified copy of a credential evaluation which uses the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Coursework Evaluation Tool. The Board considered the Petition at a duly-noticed public meeting held on August 8, 2014, St. Augustine, Florida.

The Board’s Order, filed September 2, 2014, denied the petition finding that the Petitioner had not presented satisfactory evidence that her education is equivalent to that required for licensure as a physical therapist in the United States. Additionally, Petitioner has failed to demonstrate how she has or will achieve the purpose of the underlying statute by other means, and how application of the rule at issue would violate principles of fairness or constitute an undue hardship on Petitioner.

A copy of the Order or additional information may be obtained by contacting: Allen Hall, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy Practice, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3255, [e-mail].