The updated language ensures public safety by clarifying that a current physical therapist or physical assistant license is required by an applicant for licensure in Florida without examination, and addresses legislative changes.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Physical Therapy Practice

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B17-3.001Licensure

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The updated language ensures public safety by clarifying that a current physical therapist or physical assistant license is required by an applicant for licensure in Florida without examination, and addresses legislative changes.

SUMMARY: The rule amendments clarify requirements for application for licensure without examination in Florida, and address legislative changes.

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 there is no reason to expect that this rule change will 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 C-05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3255, [e-mail]

 

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) No change

(b) No change

(c) Education:

1. For physical therapists, have received a degree as a physical therapist from a physical

therapist educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical

Therapy (CAPTE) at the time of graduation; in physical therapy from an institution that has been approved for the training of physical therapists by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), at the time of graduation, or

2. For physical therapist assistants,

a. Hhave received a degree as a physical therapist assistant from a physical therapist assistant educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE) at the time of graduation, or

b. Have been enrolled between July 1, 2014, and July 1, 2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state which was accredited at the time of enrollment and have been graduated or be eligible to graduate from such school no later than July 1, 2018;

3. No change.

(3) Additional provision for applications for licensure without examination (by endorsement).

(a) For purposes of compliance with Sections 486.031, 486.081, and 486.107, F.S., the standard for determining whether the standards of another jurisdiction are as high as the standards in Florida shall be whether the written examination taken for licensure in such other jurisdiction by applicants meeting Florida’s minimum educational qualifications was through the national physical therapy examination provider certified by the Department.

(b) Physical therapist applicants who meet the education and examination requirements for licensure without examination shall show proof of an active physical therapy license in another state, the District of Columbia, a territory, or a foreign country. Physical therapist assistant applicants who meet the education and examination requirements for licensure without examination shall show proof of an active physical therapy assistant license in another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory.

(c)(b) No change.

(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, _____________.

 

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: August 3, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 25, 2017