The Board proposes to delete visa screening and English proficiency requirements as well as revising the application date.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Physical Therapy Practice

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
64B17-4.001: Licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant by Examination
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes to delete visa screening and English proficiency requirements as well as revising the application date.
SUMMARY: Removing English proficiency and visa screening as well as updating the application revised date.
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, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, 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: 486.025, 486.102 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.017, 486.102(3), 486.104 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAW.
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 32399-3255

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B17-4.001 Licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant by Examination.

Every physical therapist assistant who applies for licensure by examination shall file DOH Form #DH-MQA 1142 Application for Licensure, Revised 01/12 02/10, which is available through www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa, and demonstrate to the Board that the applicant:

(1) through (3) No change.

(a) through (b)1.e. No change.

f. Is recognized to perform visa screening by the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the federal government.

g. through h. renumbered f. through g. No change.

2.a. through d. No change.

3. Evidence of successful completion of a Board approved English proficiency examination if English was not the language of instruction as evidenced by a minimum total score of 89 on the TOEFL as well as accompanying minimum scores in the test’s four components of: 24 in writing; 26 in speaking; 21 in reading comprehension; and 18 in listening comprehension.

Rulemaking Authority 486.025, 486.102 FS. Law Implemented 456.017, 486.102(3), 486.104 FS. History–New 8-6-84, Amended 6-2-85, Formerly 21M-10.20, Amended 5-18-86, Formerly 21M-10.020, 21MM-4.001, Amended 3-1-94, Formerly 61F11-4.001, Amended 12-22-94, 4-10-96, Formerly 59Y-4.001, Amended 1-23-03, 4-9-06, 9-19-06, 5-21-09, 9-22-09, 9-28-09, 6-9-10,________.

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: January 20, 2012
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: September 16, 2011