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Forum - Spring 2016

Table of Contents

President’s Perspective – Focus on Regulatory Resources

If the next time you have a regulatory question and you automatically think, “Hmmm, I wonder if the Federation has any information on that? ”, this article will have done its job!

I would love it if you routinely went to our Regulatory Resources page when you had a regulatory question. And if you didn’t find what you were looking for on that page, you might check our Free Resources page.

Administrative Staff Corner – We Want You

It’s time for the next generation to step forward and lead the Council!

Just to be clear, if you’re an administrator and you’re reading this, you ARE the next generation. Most of the administrators who worked so hard to create the Council of Board Administrators have retired.

Their vision was to have a forum where physical therapy administrators could share knowledge, issues and become an integral part of the Federation.

The Political Aspects of the PT Licensure Compact

This session focused on the political aspects of a PT compact, how state legislators may react to the proposal, how legislators think, how the legislative process works, and the importance of being involved in the political process.

Reentry of Physical Therapy Providers

All physical therapy boards have the responsibility to determine if an individual demonstrates the skills and knowledge for safe and competent return to practice, however, there is little agreement on just how to accomplish that goal.

There is widespread variability in the requirements to reenter the workforce as a PT provider, and individuals must navigate the requirements of the regulatory boards. Often, jurisdictions use a tiered approach to reentry requirements based on the length of the absence from actively practicing or working. However, no evidence was found in the literature to identify or support an appropriate time frame as related to the loss of professional skills and knowledge.

Development of the New Coursework Tool, CWT 6

FSBPT’s Coursework Tool for Foreign Educated Physical Therapists (CWT) is used by credentialing agencies to compare foreign educated PT coursework with CAPTE-accredited PT program coursework in order to determine substantial equivalence.

When the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) updates its PT or PTA educational standards, FSBPT develops a new CWT. Each version of the CWT is developed, standardized, validated and overseen by FSBPT.

Legal Notes: The Good the Bad and the Crazy

Cases are divided into serious and silly.

  • Never underestimate the creativity of hungry lawyers
  • Discipline and the First Amendment
  • You can sue anyone for just about anything
  • Fallout from the North Carolina State Dental Board
  • Exam Program — State Actor?

Credentialing the Foreign-Educated Applicant

Whether your jurisdiction receives two or 200 licensure applications per year from foreign-educated applicants, you probably wonder, “What does a ‘Credentials Evaluation’ involve?” or “Who are the people who complete these evaluations and what are their qualifications?” This presentation provided the basics of the credentialing process, the upcoming changes to the evaluation Coursework Tool (CWT), and proposed changes to the requirements to use the CWT by credentialing agencies.

Exam, Licensure and Disciplinary Database Protects the Public

Protecting the public is the primary goal of the FSBPT Exam, Licensure and Disciplinary Database (ELDD). However, the database of physical therapists’ licenses and disciplinary actions is only as useful as jurisdictions make it.

For that reason, FSBPT has been tracking how state boards submit information for inclusion in ELDD. Jurisdictions that keep it updated completely and consistently are 5-Star state boards. The FSBPT is on a quest to bring every board to the 5-Star level. Not only will it make the database more useful, but it will allow the FSBPT to merge other databases to the system.

An Economic Framework for Licensing Reform

State occupational licensing requirements hurt workers’ ability to migrate in times of economic distress, stifling economic recovery and workers’ ability to find work.

Dealing Fairly with Non-CAPTE Graduates

Jurisdictions have an obligation to ensure that all physical therapists and physical therapist assistants meet the requirements for licensure and are safe and competent in their practice.

However those regulatory requirements should not create unnecessary licensure barriers preventing qualified people from entering the workforce either initially or when moving from state to state.

“I Swear, I only had one drink”

This session began with a Drug Recognition Expert describing the effects drugs and alcohol may have on professional judgment. Discussion revolved around how long alcohol stays in your system, how alcohol interacts with other drugs, and what board members need to know about cannabis.

Then a board member, investigator, and administrator from border states with very different statutes, policies, and case law (Oregon and California) discussed investigative strategies, potential case outcomes, monitoring programs, and disciplinary actions for impaired practitioners.

Physical Therapy Education

This session was a panel presentation and discussion regarding physical therapy education. Presenters provided an overview of the new Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards for physical therapist (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) programs, the history and mission of American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), as well as current initiative, opportunities, and challenges related to PT and PTA education.