Notice of Proposed Rule

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PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To delete outdated English requirement, to make the rule consistent with Section 486.031(3)(b), F.S., and to update the licensure application.
SUMMARY: The changes delete outdated language, make the rule consistent with statutory licensure requirements, and update the application to accommodate statutory changes to licensure requirements.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: (a) Over a 5-year period, approximately 4,245 physical therapist and physical therapist assistant applications could be received. It is unknown how many applicants would be affected by the new law. (b) The only costs to be incurred are rulemaking costs. (c) through (f) N/A.
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: Allen Hall, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy Practice, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C05, Tallahassee, FL 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 file DOH Form #DH-MQA 1142 Application for Licensure, Revised 02/10 08/09, incorporated by reference, which is available through www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa, and demonstrate to the Board that the applicant:

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) Education.

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

(b) Has graduated from a school giving a course in physical therapy in a foreign country and:

1.(4) For foreign graduates, Hhas received a determination that the credentials are equivalent to education required for licensure as a physical therapist in the United States. Educational credentials equivalent to those required for the education and preparation of physical therapists in this country shall be determined by the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) or any other Board approved credentialing agency that meets at least the following criteria:

(a) through (i) renumbered a. through i. No change.

(j) Effective January 1, 2007, 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.

2.(k) No change.

a.1. No change.

b.2. No change.

c.3. No change.

d.4. No change.

3. Effective January 1, 2007, 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(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, 9-19-06, 3-13-07, 5-11-08, 5-21-09, 8-10-09, ________.


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 5, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: October 16, 2009