In this News Brief:
The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the slate for this year’s elections, to take place virtually during the Annual Education Meeting, October 22-24. Please read the Candidate Statements to learn more about the candidates.
The Nominating Committee will hold a Candidate Forum in July in conjunction with the 2026 Leadership Issues Forum to introduce 2026 candidates for the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee. This will be followed by a Candidate Forum in the fall. We will share registration information for these soon.
Please join FSBPT in thanking the 2026 Nominating Committee Members, Adrienne (Stacy) Price (chair), Bernardine Evans, and Mario Baker for their work this year.
Michelle Sigmund-Gaines Oregon Director Two
Jonathan Bird Idaho Director Three
Krista Wolfe Pennsylvania Director Three
Justin Berry North Dakota Nominating Committee Member
Susan Gile Kansas Nominating Committee Member
The Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners has published its "2025 Maryland Physical Therapy Workforce Report," providing a comprehensive overview of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants working in the state. The report examines workforce demographics, practice settings, education, specialization areas, and job satisfaction, offering data to support policymakers, regulators, educators, and other stakeholders in improving access to physical therapy services across Maryland. Based on data collected through the 2025 license renewal process and an optional workforce survey, the report finds that Maryland’s physical therapy workforce is predominantly female, largely aged 30–59, and less racially and ethnically diverse than the state’s general population. As of June 30, 2025, Maryland had 9,385 licensed PTs and PTAs, with practitioner density higher than the national average but lower in rural areas. Most practitioners work full-time in direct patient care and report high overall job satisfaction, with orthopaedics, geriatrics, and general physical therapy as the most common specialties. If you would like to showcase a resource from your jurisdiction or would like assistance in developing one please let us know.
FSBPT takes NPTE security seriously. We want stakeholders who interact with students to know that NPTE test takers are prohibited from accessing their cell phones at any point while taking the exam. This includes any time there is a break.
Anyone accessing their cell phone will have their NPTE immediately terminated and will be asked to leave the testing center. It is important that students understand that an attempt that is terminated due to accessing a cell phone will count toward their six-time lifetime limit.
Please let students and candidates know that they can learn more helpful tips for test day about cell phone policies by watching: NPTE in 60 Seconds - Cell Phone Policy. FSBPT has also updated the Candidate Handbook and website to clarify cell phone use. Lastly, FSBPT will send all scheduled candidates a targeted notification a week before their exams, reminding them of this important policy.
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 29, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
We are accepting presentation ideas and proposals for 2026 webinars and in-person sessions at the 2026 Annual Education Meeting in Greenville, South Carolina.
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. 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.
Each month, we will focus on a different statute section from the Model Practice Act and its accompanying commentary. For 2026, the Model Practice Act Moment will focus on Article 3: Examination and Licensure. Last year, in 2025, we covered one of the twelve sections under Article 4: Regulation of Physical Therapy each month. Learn more by reading the Model Practice Act.
3.04 Exemptions from Licensure [or Certification] A. This [act] does not restrict a person licensed or certified under any other law of this jurisdiction from engaging in the profession or practice for which that person is licensed if that person does not represent, imply or claim that he/she is a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, or a provider of physical therapy as defined in Article 1, 1.02. B. The following persons are exempt from the licensure [certification] requirements of this [act] when engaged in the following activities:
C. A physical therapist assistant who is [certified/licensed] in a jurisdiction of the United States and is assisting a physical therapist engaged specifically in activities related to [subparagraphs (B) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of this section] is exempt from the requirement of [certification/licensure] under this [act].
Commentary
The importance of this model language is in not granting blanket exemption status to other healthcare professionals through language such as “Other licensed healthcare providers are exempt from the provisions of this [act].” Other professionals have occasionally attempted to exploit this language by interpreting it to mean that they are completely exempt from all provisions of the physical therapy practice act, including title protection. This is something never intended in licensure laws. This model language, combined with other language in the Model Practice Act provides clarification of physical therapy services and ensures public protection by providing a deterrent against misrepresentation and the illegal practice of physical therapy.
The purpose of exemption from licensure is to allow a person who is practicing or working in physical therapy for a specific period of time in the state, due to compelling reasons, to provide physical therapy services without the requirement of state licensure. The exemptions included in the Model Practice Act apply to physical therapist students and physical therapist assistant students in entry level programs or other persons satisfying clinical education requirements and physical therapists or physical therapist assistants who are licensed[certified] in other jurisdictions. The categories of persons who are exempt from state licensure should be limited.
Applicants for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant license [certification] that are not current students may be required to complete supervised clinical experience as a requirement for licensure. These individuals are exempt because they are under the direct, onsite supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Physical therapists in federal employment, such as in the Veterans Administration, U.S. Public Health Service, or the military services, have historically been exempt from licensure while practicing, specifically in those governmental environments. The statute language above reflects changing federal regulations that now require federally employed healthcare professionals to be licensed in at least one jurisdiction, although not necessarily the jurisdiction where they are practicing. However, if the person chooses to practice outside of the confines of their federal employment while in a jurisdiction other than that of their licensure (i.e., employment outside of their normal business hours), they would be required to obtain licensure in the jurisdiction of practice.
Paragraph B.4 provides exemption for physical therapists participating either as instructors or as students in postgraduate education. Frequently these individuals are participating in offerings outside the jurisdiction where they are licensed, and occasionally patient contact and treatment may be part of their educational experience. This exemption is for no more than 60 days in a calendar year. A longer period of time would constitute a fellowship or an advanced clinical residency and should require licensure in that jurisdiction.
Paragraph B.5 provides exemption for consultation. Exemption from licensure is provided specifically for consultation with another health professional who is licensed in another jurisdiction. This exemption extends only to consultation and does not extend to any other aspect of patient management, including treatment intervention.
Paragraph B.6 provides exemption for licensed physical therapists traveling with a sports team or performing arts company who enters the jurisdiction for a limited time to provide physical therapy to the members of the team or company. Practice under this exemption is authorized only for those individual licensees who are affiliated with the visiting organization since no public contact is anticipated.
Paragraphs B.7 and B.8 address large-scale natural disasters that induce licensed physical therapists to enter a jurisdiction temporarily to provide their services as part of disaster assistance, or where licensed physical therapists are temporarily displaced as a result of a natural disaster and wish to practice in another jurisdiction temporarily or until licensure is achieved by endorsement.
Paragraph C provides an exemption for a physical therapist assistant, licensed or certified in another jurisdiction, to assist a physical therapist in the situations described in Exemptions from Licensure [or Certification], Article 3.04. This exemption is necessary because the physical therapist assistant shall be participating in patient treatment interventions in these specific situations that are typically restricted to persons licensed or certified by the jurisdiction. Subject to this exemption, a physical therapist assistant would still be under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
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, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, and the Virgin Islands, 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, Susan Newman, summarizing what you would like to have funded and why it is important or how it can improve efficiencies for your board.
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 register for these upcoming webinars:
May 2026 Regulatory Hour: Paul Welk
May 12, 4:00 p.m. ET
June 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
June 16, 4:00 p.m. ET
July 2026 Regulatory Hour: Amigo Wade
July 7, 4:00 p.m. ET
August 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
August 18, 4:00 p.m. ET
September 2026 Regulatory Hour: Amigo Wade
September 8, 4:00 p.m. ET
October 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
October 6, 4:00 p.m. ET
November 2026 Regulatory Hour: Jennifer Semko
November 17, 4:00 p.m. ET (Tentative)
December 2026 Regulatory Hour: Dale Atkinson
December 15, 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.
State licensing boards need to be aware of the implications of AI across the regulatory landscape as it will affect licensing operations, healthcare best practices, and more. This article summarizes the main topics and issues presented at the 2024 Annual Education Meeting by Frank Meyers.
Find out how coursework tools are used to evaluate non-U.S. candidates.
This month, we thank our generous volunteer members for their support of our mission.
FSBPT provides the following links for your education and awareness, but does not endorse the content.
“Physicians Who Feel They ‘Fit In’ Experience Less Burnout—and Entertain Fewer Thoughts of Quitting or Cutting Back,” Dave Pearson, Health Exec, March 30, 2026
"The higher the sense of belonging and teammate support, they report, the lower the odds of burnout, intent to reduce work hours and intent to leave the job."
“Moral Distress in Physicians: New Study Measures Prevalence, Offers Interventions,” Dave Pearson, Health Exec, March 25, 2026
"Almost two in five physicians suffered moral distress in the two weeks leading up to their being asked about it by researchers. That was a markedly larger slice than the team observed in the general U.S. working population. "
“Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices Reach $3 Million Settlement With Georgia Professional Licensing Boards for Alleged Violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act,” Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice, March 31, 2026
The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into an agreement with 42 Georgia state licensing boards (“Georgia Boards”) to resolve allegations that the Georgia Boards failed to recognize the out-of-state professional licenses of servicemembers and their spouses, in violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (“SCRA”).
Recently, to advance the business of FSBPT, the board approved the motions listed. Please contact your jurisdiction board liaison if you have any questions or would like additional information.
2026 – 03 – 01 – APPROVED Based on the recommendation from the Audit Committee and after its own review, accept the 2025 consolidated audit
2025 – 03 – 02 – APPROVED Based on the recommendation from the Investment Committee and after its own review, approve the updated Investment Policy Statement’s revision
Members of the board of directors serve as liaisons to multiple jurisdictions.
Stephen Curley Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia
Craig Miller Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah
David Relling Hawaii, New Jersey, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Virgin Islands
Steven Scherger Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas
Michelle Sigmund-Gaines Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
Michele Thorman Delaware, District of Columbia, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Virginia, and Wisconsin
Krista Wolfe Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Charles E. Reiter The public member of the board does not serve as a liaison to jurisdictions
FSBPT’s Board of Directors wants members to know staff is available to assist any jurisdiction with writing statutory or regulatory language. When you are crafting new laws or regulations/rules, especially involving FSBPT products such as the NPTE or Coursework Tool, or controversial topics such as dry needling, FSBPT is a resource to remember!
Subject
Point of Contact/Email Address
ADA accommodations
Christine Sousa, ext. 201
Assessment or examination development questions
Lorin Mueller npte@fsbpt.org
Continuing competence
Jeffrey M. Rosa, ext. 239
Credentials review
Jaime Nolan, FCCPT
ELDD- Exam, Licensure and Disciplinary Database participation
eldd@fsbpt.org
Exam registration processing
Foreign educated issues
Leslie Adrian, ext. 233
Immigration
Jamie Nolan, ext. 403
JAM- Jurisprudence Assessment Module
JAM@fsbpt.org
Legislation or Model Practice Act
Meeting arrangements
Paul Delaney, ext. 223
NPDB reports/questions
Angela Burnham, 249
PTC- Physical Therapy Compact
compact@fsbpt.org
PEAT®- Practice Exam & Assessment Tool
peat@fsbpt.org
Reimbursement of expenses and other financial matters
David Sigman, ext. 226
School reports
schoolreports@fsbpt.org
Score transfer & reporting
SCP PET- Supervised Clinical Practice Performance Evaluation Tool
scppet@fsbpt.org
Security issues
Susan Newman security@fsbpt.org
Anything else, including news to share with members
Susan NewmanCaitlin Jennings Communications@fsbpt.org
Each month, we highlight an FSBPT staff member or volunteer and share how their role supports our mission of protecting the public. Aijun Wang is a Senior Psychometrician in the Assessment area at FSBPT. Aijun’s work supports the assessment systems and processes that enable FSBPT to operate effectively. She collaborates with content experts on item and exam development, conducts quality assurance and empirical research, and applies measurement principles and data analysis to ensure the NPTE and related assessments are reliable and valid. Her work helps strengthen the exam program and supports FSBPT’s mission to protect the public by helping ensure that physical therapy practitioners meet entry-level standards of competence.
We are grateful for Aijun's continued contributions to FSBPT.
Thank you for everything you do!
Susan L. Newman, CEO