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PHYSICAL THERAPIST LICENSING BOARD
PHYSICAL THERAPIST LICENSING BOARD
DIVISION 10
LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS
848-010-0010
Approval of Schools of Physical Therapy
All schools for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), are considered approved schools of physical therapy. A school shall be considered to be an approved school of physical therapy within the meaning of this section if the school was accredited as above at the time the licensure applicant graduated. In its sole discretion, and on a case-by-case basis, the Board may grant licensure to an applicant who has graduated from a school of physical therapy if, at the time of his/her graduation, the school is a candidate for accreditation and subsequently is granted the accreditation.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 688.160
Stats. Implemented: ORS 688.050, 688.055, 688.070 & 688.080
Hist.: PT 2, f. 8-22-74, ef. 9-25-74; PT 11, f. & ef. 12-28-77; PT 1-1979, f. & ef. 2-14-79; PT 1-1989, f. & cert. ef. 8-8-89; PT 4-1997, f. & cert. ef. 8-5-97; PTLB 3-2003, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-03; PTLB 9-2004, f. & cert. ef. 12-29-04
848-010-0015
Examinations
(1) Examinations for licensing of physical therapists and of physical therapist assistants shall be provided by an examination service approved by the Board. The overall passing score shall be based on a formula using the criterion-referenced scoring system. An applicant may sit for the examination a maximum of three times in any jurisdiction within a 12-month period, measured from the date of the first examination.
(2) All completed applications for examination, the non-refundable examination fee and other necessary forms must be approved by the Board prior to the scheduling of each examination in Oregon. For applicants taking the examination in another state or territory of the United States, or other Board approved location, and applying to Oregon for licensure by examination, all completed applications, the non-refundable fee and other necessary forms must be approved by the Board prior to licensure.
(3) Unless qualified for licensure by endorsement under OAR 848-010-0022, a foreign educated physical therapists must submit directly to the Board, prior to obtaining an application:
(a) A Credentials Evaluation Statement ("the Report") of professional education and training prepared by a Board-approved credentials evaluation agency. It is the applicant's responsibility to pay the expenses associated with the credentials evaluation.
(A) The Report must provide evidence and documentation that the applicant's education outside a state or territory of the United States is substantially equivalent to the education of a physical therapist who graduated from an accredited physical therapy education program approved by the Board pursuant to ORS 688.050(2).
(B) To determine substantial equivalency, the approved credentialing evaluation agency shall use the appropriate Course Work Tool ("CWT") adopted by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. The appropriate CWT means the CWT in place at the time the foreign educated physical therapist graduated from their physical therapy program.
(b) English Language Proficiency.
(A) Verification that English is the native language of the country of origin, and the physical therapy program employs English as the language of training; or
(B) Verification that the applicant has achieved a score of not less than 560 on the paper Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of not less than 220 on the computer Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of not less than 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and a score of not less than 4.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE); or
(C) Verification that the applicant has achieved the following minimum scores for each category of the new internet based TOEFL (ibTOEFL) examination: writing, 24; speaking, 26; reading, 21; listening, 18; with an overall score of not less than 89.
(c) If applicant has taken a Board-approved national licensing examination prior to application for licensure in Oregon, a report of applicant's examination scores must be submitted to the Board directly from the Board-approved examination service.
(d) If applicant holds or has held a license in the country in which the applicant received their physical therapy education, the applicant must provide primary source verification of the license.
(e) For purposes of section (3) of this rule, the requirements and criteria considered for credentialing will be "as of" the date the most recent credentialing report was received by the Board from the Board-approved credentialing agency.
(4) The Examination must be given in the English language.
(5) No person shall be allowed to take the physical therapist examination or physical therapist assistant examination for licensure in Oregon until all academic requirements are completed.
(6) The examination will be administered at a location approved by the Board.
(7) Any applicant who has graduated from an approved school of physical therapy and passed a Board-approved examination or a Board-approved equivalent examination more than five years prior to application for licensure in the State of Oregon and who has not been actively licensed in any other state or territory of the United States for a five year period must demonstrate competence to practice physical therapy. If the applicant fails to demonstrate competence, the Board may require the applicant to serve an internship under a restricted license or satisfactorily complete a refresher course approved by the Board, or both, at the discretion of the Board. The Board may also require the applicant to pass an examination approved by the Physical Therapist Licensing Board as provided in OAR 848-010-0015.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 688.160
Stats. Implemented: ORS 688.020,
688.040, 688.050, 688.055, 688.070, 688.090
Hist.: PT 2, f. 8-22-74, ef.
9-25-74; PT 6, f. 12-20-74, ef. 1-11-75; PT 10, f. & ef. 10-21-77; PT 11, f.
& ef. 12-28-77; PT 1-1979, f. & ef. 2-14-79; PT 1-1983, f. & ef. 1-5-83;
PT 1-1984, f. & ef. 5-3-84; PT 1-1989, f. & cert. ef. 8-8-89; PT 1-1990
(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-16-90; PT 2-1990, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-90; PT 1-1996,
f. 1-16-96, cert. ef. 2-1-96; PT 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 9-5-96; PT 1-1997, f.
& cert. ef. 2-4-97; PTLB 4-1999, f. 11-23-99, cert. ef. 12-1-99; PTLB 1-2000,
f. & cert. ef. 5-4-00; PTLB 3-2003, f. & cert. ef. 8-22-03; PTLB 9-2004,
f. & cert. ef. 12-29-04; PTLB 4-2005, f. 12-29-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; PTLB 1-2007,
f. 3-13-07, cert. ef. 4-1-07; PTLB 2-2008, f. 12-16-08, cert. ef. 1-2-09; PTLB 1-2010,
f. 2-16-10, cert. ef. 3-1-10; PTLB 1-2012, f. 2-9-12, cert. ef. 3-1-12
848-010-0020
Endorsement of Out-of-State Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants
Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants not licensed in the State of Oregon may be licensed by endorsement if they comply with all of the following:
(1) File a completed application form and pay a non-refundable endorsement application fee.
(2) Are at least 18 years of age.
(3) Are graduates of an approved school for physical therapists or physical therapist assistants as provided in OAR 848-010-0010 and 848-010-0015(3).
(4) Are currently licensed in any other state or territory of the United States.
(5) Have passed the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant examination provided by a Board-approved examination service.
(6) For applicants examined prior to January 1, 1961, the passing of an examination of the American Registry of Physical Therapists, or the passing of a written examination which in the opinion of the Board is substantially equivalent to the examination of the American Registry of Physical Therapists.
Stat. Auth: ORS 688.160
Stats. Implemented: ORS 688.080
Hist.: PT 2, f. 8-22-74, ef.
9-25-74; PT 5, f. 12-20-74, ef. 1-11-75; PT 1-1979, f. & ef. 2-14-79; PT 1-1983,
f. & ef. 1-5-83; PT 1-1984, f. & ef. 5-3-84; PT 1-1989, f. & cert. ef.
8-8-89; PT 1-1990(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-16-90; PT 2-1990, f. & cert. ef.
10-2-90; PT 1-1996, f. 1-16-96, cert. ef. 2-1-96; PT 3-1996, f. & cert. ef.
9-5-96; PTLB 9-2004, f. & cert. ef. 12-29-04; PTLB 4-2005, f. 12-29-05, cert.
ef. 1-1-06; PTLB 2-2008, f. 12-16-08, cert. ef. 1-2-09; PTLB 1-2012, f. 2-9-12,
cert. ef. 3-1-12
848-010-0022
Endorsement of Out-of-State Foreign Educated Physical Therapists
A foreign educated physical therapist not licensed in the State of Oregon may be licensed by endorsement if the applicant meets or fulfills the requirements of subsections (1), (2), (4) and (5) of OAR 848-010-0020 and the Board receives all of the following additional items:
(1) A certified copy of the Course Work Tool (CWT) used by a physical therapy licensing authority of a state or territory of the United States to make the determination to issue a license in that state or territory. The report must indicate that the applicant’s foreign physical therapy education was determined to be substantially equivalent to the education of a physical therapist who graduated from an accredited physical therapy program approved by the Oregon Board pursuant to ORS 688.050(2). To determine substantial equivalency, the approved credentialing evaluation agency shall use the appropriate CWT adopted by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. The appropriate CWT means the CWT in place at the time the foreign educated physical therapist graduated from their physical therapy program. The licensing authority of the state or territory must certify the report and must send it directly to the Oregon Board.
(2) Proof of completion of a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical practice each year in a state or territory of the United States for three of the last ten years immediately prior to application. To meet this requirement, however, no more than five years can have elapsed since the applicant has had clinical practice in a state or territory of the United States. The applicant’s current or prior employer(s) must send this proof directly to the Oregon Board.
(3) A written statement from the applicant’s most recent employer stating that the applicant practiced safely and competently. The employer must send this proof directly to the Oregon Board.
(4) A foreign educated physical therapist who does not meet the requirements of this section may apply for licensure under OAR 848-010-0015(3).
Stat. Auth: ORS 688.160
Stats. Implemented: ORS 668.160(6)(c)
Hist.: PTLB 2-2008, f. 12-16-08, cert. ef. 1-2-09; PTLB 1-2010, f. 2-16-10, cert. ef. 3-1-10
848-010-0026
Temporary Permits
(1) The Board may issue a temporary permit to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant for the period specified below to an applicant who meets the requirements of this rule.
(a) A person who has completed a CAPTE accredited physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program in a state or territory of the United States and who is applying for the first time to take the licensing examination in Oregon may be issued a temporary permit for a period of 90 calendar days. Such applicant shall:
(A) Submit a completed application for license by examination and pay the required fee;
(B) Submit a completed application for a temporary permit and pay the required fee; and
(C) Submit a Board Certificate of Professional Education providing primary source verification of completion of a CAPTE accredited physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program.
(b) A person who holds a valid current license to practice in another state or territory of the United States may be issued a temporary permit for a period of 60 calendar days. Such applicant shall:
(A) Provide written primary source verification of current licensure in another state or territory;
(B) Submit a completed application for license by endorsement and pay the required fee;
(C) Submit a completed application for a temporary permit and pay the required fee;
(D) Submit a Board Certificate of Professional Education providing primary source verification of completion of a CAPTE accredited physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program; and
(E) Have passed the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant examination as provided in OAR 848-010-0020(5).
(c) A person who is a foreign educated physical therapist who has graduated from a CAPTE accredited physical therapist program may be issued a temporary permit for a period of 60 calendar days. Such applicant shall:
(A) Submit a completed application for license by examination or endorsement and pay the required fee;
(B) Submit a completed application for a temporary permit and pay the required fee;
(C) Submit a Board Certificate of Professional Education providing primary source verification of completion of a CAPTE accredited physical therapist program; and
(D) Submit proof of passing scores on the TOEFL, TSE and TWE tests or ibTOEFL test. However, this requirement does not apply if the physical therapist program was taught in English and English is the national language of the country where the physical therapist program was taught.
(2) A person who holds a temporary permit must practice under supervision as provided in this rule.
(3) A person who holds a temporary permit issued under subsection (1)(a) or (1)(c) of this rule must practice under on-site supervision, which means that at all times a supervising therapist is in the same building and immediately available for consultation. Entries made in the patient record by a temporary permit holder must be authenticated by the permit holder and by a supervising therapist.
(4) A person who holds a temporary permit issued under subsection (1)(b) of this rule must practice under general supervision, which means that at all times a supervising therapist must be readily available for consultation, either in person or by telecommunication.
(5) As used in this rule, "supervising therapist" means an Oregon licensed physical therapist if the permit holder is a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant. "Supervising therapist" also means an Oregon licensed physical therapist assistant if the permit holder is a physical therapist assistant. A physical therapist assistant may not supervise a physical therapist permit holder.
(6) If a physical therapist assistant is supervising a physical therapist assistant permit holder, a physical therapist must be readily available for consultation, either in person or by telecommunication, as provided in OAR 848-015-0020.
(7) Within five (5) working days of beginning practice the permit holder must submit to the Board a completed "Temporary Permit Letter from Employer" form. The permit holder must notify the Board of any change in employment during the period of the temporary permit by submitting a new "Temporary Permit Letter from Employer" within five (5) working days.
(8) A temporary permit issued under this rule shall terminate automatically by operation of law if the permit holder fails the Board-approved national licensing examination or the person's score on the Board-approved national licensing examination taken for purposes of licensure in another state or territory does not meet Oregon Board requirements. A permit holder must return the permit certificate to the Board immediately, by a method that provides delivery verification, upon notification that the permit has terminated.
(9) The Board may refuse to issue a temporary permit to an applicant or may revoke a permit after issuance on any of the grounds set out in OAR 848-010-0044 or 848-045-0020. A person whose permit is revoked must return the certificate to the Board immediately by a method that provides delivery verification.
(10) A permit holder whose permit has terminated or has been revoked is not eligible to apply for another permit.
(11) A person who has taken and failed the Board-approved national licensing examination is not eligible to apply for a temporary permit. A person who has failed and has not subsequently passed the national licensing examination in another state, or whose score on the examination taken for purposes of licensure in another state or territory does not meet Oregon Board requirements, is not eligible to apply for a temporary permit.
(12) In its discretion the Board may grant one 60 calendar day extension to a person who holds a temporary permit.
(13) A person who holds a temporary permit issued under this rule is subject to all statutes and rules governing a licensee.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 688.110
Stats. Implemented: ORS 688.110
Hist.: PTLB 3-2000, f. &
cert. ef. 12-21-00; PTLB 9-2004, f. & cert. ef. 12-29-04; PTLB 4-2005, f. 12-29-05,
cert. ef. 1-1-06; PTLB 2-2008, f. 12-16-08, cert. ef. 1-2-09; PTLB 1-2010, f. 2-16-10,
cert. ef. 3-1-10; PTLB 1-2012, f. 2-9-12, cert. ef. 3-1-12
848-010-0033
Yearly Renewal Of License Required
(1) All physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licenses expire on March 31 of each calendar year, regardless of the initial issue date. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants must annually renew their licenses to practice effective April 1 of each year. A license is considered lapsed if a completed renewal application is postmarked or received after March 31. A person whose license has lapsed must immediately stop practicing as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant and shall not practice until the license is renewed.
(2) During the first week in January of each year the Board mails a renewal application to each currently licensed physical therapist and physical therapist assistant at the licensee's mailing address on file with the Board.
(3) If the completed license renewal application is postmarked or actually received by the Board after March 31, the licensee is subject to a lapsed license renewal fee as provided in OAR 848-005-0020(1)(e) in addition to the annual license renewal fee.
(4) A licensed physical therapist must complete the renewal application form furnished by the Board and pay the annual renewal fee provided in OAR 848-005-0020(1)(c).
(5) A licensed physical therapist assistant must complete the renewal application form furnished by the Board and pay the annual renewal fee provided in OAR 848-005-0020(1)(d).
(6) Each currently licensed physical therapist and physical therapist assistant must complete the continuing education as provided in Division 35 of these rules by March 31st of each even-numbered year.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 688.110
Stats. Implemented: ORS 688.110
Hist.: PTLB 9-2004, f. & cert. ef. 12-29-04; PTLB 4-2005, f. 12-29-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; PTLB 1-2007, f. 3-13-07, cert. ef. 4-1-07
848-010-0035
Renewal of Lapsed Licenses
(1) Any license that is not renewed before April 1 of each year shall automatically lapse. No person whose license has lapsed shall practice until the license is renewed. Failure to receive a renewal notice shall not excuse any licensee from the requirements of renewal. The Board may renew any lapsed license upon payment of all past unpaid renewal fees, payment of a single lapsed license renewal fee as provided in OAR 848-005-0020(1)(e) and, if applicable, documentation of completion of the continuing education requirements as provided in 848-035-0020(5). An applicant whose license has lapsed for non-completion of the continuing education requirements may reinstate the lapsed license upon completion of the requirements for the immediately prior certification period. Courses taken after March 31 of the even-numbered year to fulfill the requirements necessary to reinstate the lapsed license shall apply only to the prior certification period.
(2) In the event that an applicant's Oregon physical therapy license has lapsed for five or more consecutive years, the applicant must demonstrate competence to practice physical therapy. If the applicant fails to demonstrate competence, the Board may require the applicant to serve an internship under a restricted license or satisfactorily complete a refresher course approved by the Board, or both, at the discretion of the Board. The Board may also require the applicant to pass an examination approved by the Physical Therapist Licensing Board as provided in OAR 848-010-0015.
(3) If the applicant holds a current physical therapist or physical therapist assistant license in another state or jurisdiction and the applicant's Oregon license has lapsed for five or more consecutive years, the applicant may apply for a license by endorsement as provided in OAR 848-010-0020.
Stat. Auth: ORS 688.160
Stats. Implemented: ORS 688.100
Hist.: PT 2, f. 8-22-74, ef.
9-25-74; PT 10, f. & ef. 10-21-77; PT 1-1979, f. & ef. 2-14-79; PT 1-1989,
f. & cert. ef. 8-8-89; PT 5-1996, f. & cert. ef. 9-5-96; PTLB 9-2004, f.
& cert. ef. 12-29-04; PTLB 4-2005, f. 12-29-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; PTLB 1-2007,
f. 3-13-07, cert. ef. 4-1-07; PTLB 1-2012, f. 2-9-12, cert. ef. 3-1-12
848-010-0044
Grounds for Refusal to License an Applicant
After notice and opportunity for hearing as provided in ORS 688.145, the Board may refuse to license, or may limit or restrict the license of an applicant who:
(1) Is not a person of good moral character as provided in OAR 848-045-0020(2)(i);
(2) Willfully made a false statement on the application;
(3) Failed to disclose requested information or provided false or materially misleading information on the application or during the process of applying for a license or temporary permit;
(4) Has practiced physical therapy without a license or has purported to be a therapist in violation of ORS 688.020;
(5) Has a mental, emotional or physical condition which impairs the applicant's ability or competency to practice physical therapy in a manner consistent with the public health and safety;
(6) Has an addiction to or a dependency on alcohol, legend drugs or controlled substances which impairs the applicant's ability or competency to practice physical therapy in a manner consistent with the public health and safety;
(7) Has been disciplined or had an application for licensure refused by another Oregon state licensing board or out-of-state licensing board for an act which if committed in Oregon would be grounds for discipline under ORS 688.140 or OAR 848-045-0020;
(8) Has been convicted of violating any federal law or state law relating to controlled substances, subject to the provisions of ORS 670.280(2); or
(9) Has been convicted of any crime that is a felony or misdemeanor under the laws of any state or of the United States, subject to the provisions of ORS 670.280(2).
(10) Has attempted and failed the National Physical Therapy Examination a total of five (5) times including all attempts in any other state or territory of the United States.
Stat. Auth: ORS 688.160
Stats. Implemented: ORS 688.100
Hist.: PTLB 9-2004, f. & cert. ef. 12-29-04; PTLB 4-2005, f. 12-29-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; PTLB 2-2008, f. 12-16-08, cert. ef. 1-2-09
848-010-0105 [Renumbered to 848-005-0010]
848-010-0110 [Renumbered to 848-005-0020]
848-010-0115 [Renumbered to 848-001-0010]
848-010-0120 [Renumbered to 848-001-0020]
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