The Board proposes a rule amendment that assists physical therapist and physical therapist assistant applicants by setting forth alternate means of demonstrating to the Board that the applicant has graduated.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Physical Therapy Practice

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B17-3.001Licensure

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes a rule amendment that assists physical therapist and physical therapist assistant applicants by setting forth alternate means of demonstrating to the Board that the applicant has graduated.

SUMMARY: The proposed amendment specifies that either a final transcript or a letter of completion may be submitted to the Board to verify the applicant has graduated from the required program of study.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 456.013, 486.025, 486.031(3), 486.104 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.013, 456.017, 456.0635, 456.38, 486.031, 486.041, 486.051, 486.061, 486.0715, 486.081, 486.102, 486.103, 486.104 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Allen Hall, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy Practice, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B17-3.001 Licensure.

(1) No change.

(2) Qualifications for Licensure. All applicants for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant must demonstrate the following:

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Education:

1. through 2. No change.

3. For a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to be certified to take the licensure examination, the Board must receive verification that the applicant has graduated. The applicant’s institution may send a final transcript, or the applicant’s program may send a Letter of Completion. For the Board to consider a Letter of Completion, the letter must:

a. Be sent to the Board directly from the educational institution,

b. Be presented on official school letterhead,

c. Confirm that the individual completed all clinical an didactic requirements of their specified degree,

d. State the date the individual earned their degree, and

e. Be signed and dated by the program director or the school registrar.

43. For physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who have received a diploma from a program in physical therapy in a foreign country, have received a determination that their credentials are equivalent to the education and preparation required for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in the United States. Educational credentials equivalent to those required for the education and preparation of physical therapists or physical therapist assistants in this country shall be determined by an agency as provided in Rule 64B17-3.007, F.A.C.

(3) Through (4) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 456.013, 486.025, 486.031(3), 486.104 FS. Law Implemented 456.013, 456.017, 456.0635, 456.38, 486.031, 486.041, 486.051, 486.061, 486.0715, 486.081, 486.102, 486.103, 486.104 FS. History–New 8-6-84, Amended 6-2-85, Formerly 21M-7.20, Amended 5-18-86, Formerly 21M-7.020, 21MM-3.001, Amended 3-1-94, Formerly 61F11-3.001, Amended 12-22-94, 4-10-96, Formerly 59Y-3.001, Amended 12-30-98, 1-23-03, 4-9-06, 9-19-06, 3-13-07, 5-11-08, 5-21-09, 8-10-09, 7-5-10, 12-17-12, 12-15-14, 2-14-17, 10-22-17,_______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 14, 2019

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 13, 2020