In this News Brief:
NPTE Fee Increase Delayed Until 2027
The FSBPT Board of Directors has decided to delay any NPTE fee increase until after 2027. The fees for the NPTE-PT and the NPTE-PTA are $485, and they will remain that amount until December 31, 2027. The last increase occurred in 2019, meaning there will be an eight-year period with no adjustments. Historically, the fee has increased about every five years. However, after a review of FSBPT’s financial standing, the board determined a fee increase was not necessary.
The FSBPT is committed to both fiscal responsibility and ensuring the quality of the NPTE. They will continue to monitor the organization's financial situation and will re-evaluate the fee structure in 2027.
Accommodations Update
After receiving a complaint from an applicant who had been denied accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to take the National Physical Therapy Exam, the U.S. Department of Justice contacted FSBPT with questions about how we handle accommodations requests. Prior to the DOJ’s inquiry, FSBPT had relied on Paradigm, which bills itself as the “industry leader” in providing “expert review of test accommodations requests,” to assess NPTE candidates’ requests for ADA accommodations. FSBPT, once informed of DOJ’s concerns, ended its relationship with Paradigm and moved to conducting assessments in-house. We have been in discussions with the DOJ to resolve outstanding issues and will apprise you of the outcome.
Share Your Annual Education Meeting, Webinar, and LIF Ideas!
We are accepting presentation ideas and proposals for 2024 webinars and in-person sessions at the 2024 Annual Education Meeting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. If you have a specific idea, please submit a proposal.
However, we are also interested in learning about jurisdictions' experiences with regulatory topics and your general ideas on what issues we should examine in webinars, Annual Education Meeting sessions, and during the Leadership Issues Forum. We encourage all board members, administrators, and other stakeholders to share topics and ideas with us. You can also watch webinars and meeting sessions on FSBPT's YouTube Channel to learn what we've recently covered.
Excellence in Regulation Award Nominations Due May 31
The Excellence in Regulation Award recognizes jurisdictions that have made significant accomplishments toward increasing public protection for consumers of physical therapy services in a number of areas. To nominate a jurisdiction, including your own, submit a Nomination Form by Friday, May 31, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Model Practice Act Moment
Each month, we will focus on a different statute section from the Model Practice Act and its accompanying commentary.
In your Practice Act, it is important to clarify the term "testing". Learn more by reading the Model Practice Act.
MPA Moment
Statute
1.02 Definitions As specifically used in this [act], the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless the context requires otherwise.
22. “Testing” means standard methods and techniques used to gather data about the patient/client, including but not limited to imaging, electrodiagnostic and electrophysiologic tests and measures.
Commentary
The definition of “Practice of physical therapy,” Paragraph 4a, includes a reference to “testing.” That statutory definition is purposely and necessarily broad and does not specify any particular tests (see Commentary under Paragraph 4). This statutory Paragraph 10 accomplishes two things: it incorporates the profession’s accepted standard definition of “tests and measures,” and it also includes a reference to particular diagnostic testing procedures that are within the scope of physical therapy practice but have occasionally been challenged legally or legislatively. Some jurisdictions already have, and others shall wish to include, rules that specify additional training requirements and certification procedures relative to physical therapists performing electrodiagnostic and electrophysiologic procedures.
Available Funding Opportunities
The FSBPT Board is committed to supporting its member jurisdictions in their mission to protect the public. Join the ranks of states, including Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Virgin Islands, and Texas, that have all taken a big step toward both administrative efficiency and protecting the public. They are currently leveraging FSBPT Grants to enhance the ELDD, improve compact privilege implementation, and collect workforce data.
Your state should be next! Learn more about our available grants to help jurisdictions with enhancing your participation in or communication with our Examination, Licensure, and Disciplinary Database (ELDD), improving compact privilege implementation, or collecting workforce data.
FSBPT offers grant funding to support its member jurisdictions in their mission to protect the public. If you are interested in receiving a grant, please send an email to FSBPT's CEO, William A. Hatherill summarizing what you would like to have funded and why it is important or how it can improve efficiencies for your board.
Upcoming Webinars
We are hosting multiple upcoming webinars within the FSBPT Portal, allowing you to easily access member resources, groups, and events all in one place! Be sure to add this year's Regulatory Hours to your calendar:
- Wednesday, April 17, 4:00 p.m. ET
- Thursday, June 20, 4:00 p.m. ET
To register, please log in to the FSBPT Portal, select "Events," and click on the event you'd like to register for.
Send Us Additional Recipients
Do you know of any individuals or groups that would be interested in receiving our monthly News Brief? Or, did someone forward this to you and you'd like to be on our list?
Please send any referrals our way! Contact us via email at communications@fsbpt.org with information, ideas, or suggestions.
We appreciate your collaboration in our effort to further our mission to protect the public.
FSBPT Forum: : A Collective Approach to Increasing Fairness and Reducing Bias on the NPTE
FSBPT uses multiple approaches to ensure the NPTE remains a fair and equitable tool to promote public protection. This article is based on a 2021 webinar presented by Lorin Mueller, Colleen Lettvin, Ashley Ray, Jenny Lapnawan, and Joanne Wagner.
Spotlight on Member Resources: The Board Assessment Resource (BAR)
The Board Assessment Resource (BAR) is a self-assessment tool to help physical therapy regulatory boards demonstrate value and evaluate performance in accomplishing their mission of protecting the public.
Many Thanks to Our Volunteers
This month, we thank our generous volunteer members for their support of our mission.
- Exam Development Committee - PT
- Exam Development Committee - PTA
- Ethics & Legislation Committee
In the News
FSBPT provides the following links for your education and awareness but does not endorse the content.
"Microplastics are in our bodies. Here’s why we don’t know the health risks," Science News, Anne Pinto-Rodrigues, March 24, 2024
"Tiny particles of plastic have been found everywhere — from the deepest place on the planet, the Mariana Trench, to the top of Mount Everest. And now more and more studies are finding that microplastics, defined as plastic pieces less than 5 millimeters across, are also in our bodies."
"John Oliver to US state medical boards handling malpractice: ‘Fix this mess’," The Guardian, March 11, 2024
"When mistakes, particularly negligent or repeated ones, occur, hospitals can fire a doctor, but only state medical boards can ensure that they don’t practice again or in other states, although “the percentage of physicians who face any sort of real consequences from medical boards can be surprisingly low”, said Oliver."
"Dramatic reform could be coming to let patients know of doctor misconduct," Emily Baker, ABC News Australia, February 7, 2024
"Data from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) shows complaints about what it calls "boundary violations" are on the rise, increasing from 75 notifications in 2012-13 to 841 in 2022-23."
"Women in Healthcare Face Significantly Higher Burnout Rates Compared to Their Male Colleagues," Kathy Fackelmann, GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences, February 13, 2024
"A new study finds women in health care occupations endure significantly more stress and burnout compared to their male counterparts. The analysis by researchers at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences also found that job satisfaction and better work-life balance can protect women healthcare professionals from harmful stress."
"Wisconsin assembly approves universal credentialing bill: Weekly regulatory news," Ascend, January 26, 2024
"AB 332, expands reciprocal credentialing in Wisconsin for most professions, eliminating residency requirements. In a party-line vote of 62-35, the bill supports universal credentialing, enabling individuals with licenses from other states to receive reciprocal credentials in Wisconsin. An amendment added exemptions for lawyers, certified public accountants, and electricians, requiring applicants to have held the credential in another jurisdiction for at least three of the past five years."
"Florida surgeon general defies science amid measles outbreak," Lena H. Sun and Lauren Weber, The Washington Post, February 22, 2024
"As a Florida elementary school tries to contain a growing measles outbreak, the state’s top health official is giving advice that runs counter to science and may leave unvaccinated children at risk of contracting one of the most contagious pathogens on Earth, clinicians and public health experts said."
"State AI Legislation Off to Quick Start in 2024," Lexis Nexis, January 16, 2024
"As of January 11, 89 bills referring to “artificial intelligence” had been pre-filed or introduced in 20 states, according to the LexisNexis® State Net® legislative tracking system. And that’s on top of more than 100 AI bills that are being carried over from last year."
"Sandusky woman charged with identity theft, investigators say she posed as nurse, physical therapist," Cleveland 19 News, February 20, 2024
"An Erie County woman is accused of identity theft after police claim she stole the identities of at least two women so she could pose as a nurse and physical therapist."
Board Report
MOTIONS APPROVED:
Motion To appoint the following persons to the Dry Needling Competency Task Force:
- Dave Bertone (NJ): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Michelle Finnegan (MD): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Oday Lavergne (LA): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Ruth Maher (GA): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Ron Pavkovich (KY): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Keri Maywhort (CO): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- JJ Thomas (PA): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Tracey Adler (VA): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Tina McLean (AK): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Edo Zylstra (MI): March 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Motion: To appoint the following persons to the Examination Development Committee:
EDC-PT
- Bryce Woodfield (ID): January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
EDC-PTA
- Shannon Turner (AL): January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Jason Delavan (CO): January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Motion: To approve Grant Funding for Louisiana in the amount of $7,000 through the PT Compact
Motion: To approve GOLD-level support for the ACAPT Inclusive Horizons Summit: Advancing Accessibility and Disability Equity in Physical Therapy Education - $2,500
Motion: To approve delaying the fee increase for the NPTE for PTs and PTAs through 2027 such that FSBPT’s fee remains $485 until at least December 31, 2027
FSBPT Board of Directors
Members of the board of directors serve as liaisons to multiple jurisdictions.
 Ruggie Canizares
Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah |  Ellen Donald
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee |  Cynthia Potter
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont |  David Relling
Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Virgin Islands |
 Steven Scherger
Arkansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia |  Michelle Sigmund-Gaines
Alaska, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming |  Michele Thorman
Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin |  Charles E. Reiter
The public member of the board does not serve as a liaison to jurisdictions |
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Staff Contact Information
Staff Contact Information
If you have questions, challenges or ideas, we want to hear from you!
(703) 299-3100
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Subject
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Point of Contact/Email Address
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ADA accommodations
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Christine Sousa
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Assessment or examination development questions
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Lorin Muelle
Susan Newman
npte@fsbpt.org
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Continuing competence
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Jeffrey M. Rosa
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Credentials review
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Jaime Nolan, FCCPT
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ELDD- Exam, Licensure and Disciplinary Database participation
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eldd@fsbpt.org
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Exam registration processing
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Christine Sousa
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Foreign educated issues
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Leslie Adrian
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Immigration
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Jamie Nolan
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JAM- Jurisprudence Assessment Module
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JAM@fsbpt.org
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Legislation or Model Practice Act
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Leslie Adrian
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Meeting arrangements
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Paul Delaney
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NPDB reports/questions
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Angela Burnham
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PTC- Physical Therapy Compact
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compact@fsbpt.org
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PEAT®- Practice Exam & Assessment Tool
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peat@fsbpt.org
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Reimbursement of expenses
Other financial matters
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Linda Michelsen
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School reports
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schoolreports@fsbpt.org
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Score transfer & reporting
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Christine Sousa
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SCP PET- Supervised Clinical Practice Performance Evaluation Tool
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scppet@fsbpt.org
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Security issues
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Susan Newman
security@fsbpt.org
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Anything else, including news to share with members
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William A. Hatherill
Caitlin Jennings
Communications@fsbpt.org
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From the daffodil-lined banks of the Potomac River, where the fish are faster, the fishing boats are longer, and the fishermen are still full of stories.
- William A. Hatherill, CEO
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