The Board proposes the rule amendment to change the scores required for passing the reading comprehension and listening comprehension components of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Physical Therapy Practice

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B17-3.001: Licensure as a Physical Therapist by Examination
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to change the scores required for passing the reading comprehension and listening comprehension components of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
SUMMARY: The scores required for passing the reading comprehension and listening comprehension components of the Test of English as a Foreign Language will be changed.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
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.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 486.025(1), 486.031(3) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.017, 486.031, 486.051 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Susan Love, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy Practice/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3255

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B17-3.001 Licensure as a Physical Therapist by Examination.

Every physical therapist who applies for licensure by examination shall satisfy and demonstrate to the Board that the applicant:

(1) through (4) No change.

(5) Has attained and submitted to the Board the following:

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) Effective January 1, 2007, evidence of successful completion of a Board approved English proficiency examination if English was not the language of instruction as evidence by a minimum total score of 89 of the TOEFL as well as accompanying minimum scores in the test’s four components of: 24 in writing; 26 in speaking; 21 18 in reading comprehension; and 18 21 in listening comprehension.

(e) through (f) No change.

Specific Authority 486.025(1), 486.031(3) FS. Law Implemented 456.017, 486.031, 486.051 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,_________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 11, 2006
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: June 2, 2006