DAR File No. 39092

Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing

Section R156-24b-302b

Qualifications for Licensure - Examination Requirements

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 39092
Filed: 01/26/2015 11:05:40 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The Division and the Physical Therapy Licensing Board determined the rule needs to clarify that verification of a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination shall be verified through a score transfer from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Summary of the rule or change:

An explicit statement requiring an FSBPT score transfer in order to verify that the applicant received a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination was added to Subsection R156-24b-302b(1).

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a)
• Section 58-24b-101
• Subsection 58-1-202(1)(a)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

It is difficult to quantify the potential impact of the proposed change on the state/Division budget. With a score transfer, Division staff would not need to send letters and/or seek other verification that an applicant met minimum licensure requirements as established by the profession, which would result in a time savings. The Division will incur minimal costs of approximately $25 to print and distribute the rule once the proposed amendments are made effective. Any printing/distribution costs incurred will be absorbed in the Division's current budget.

local governments:

The proposed amendments apply only to applicants for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. As a result, the proposed amendments do not apply to local governments.

small businesses:

The proposed amendment applies only to applicants for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Applicants for licensure may work in a small business; however, the proposed amendments would not directly affect the business.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

The proposed amendment applies only to applicants for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. The FSBPT automatically completes a no cost score transfer to the jurisdiction in which the applicant has applied for licensure. If an individual is seeking licensure in another jurisdiction, the FSBPT currently charges $80 for the first score transfer and $55 for any subsequent score transfers. Many jurisdictions require FSBPT score transfers in order to verify that applicants for licensure have met professional standards as measured by the national examination. An FSBPT score transfer will decrease the length of time required to process an application for licensure by the Division.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The proposed amendment applies only to applicants for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. The FSBPT automatically completes a no cost score transfer to the jurisdiction in which the applicant has applied for licensure. If an individual is seeking licensure in another jurisdiction, the FSBPT currently charges $80 for the first score transfer and $55 for any subsequent score transfers. Many jurisdictions require FSBPT score transfers in order to verify that applicants for licensure have met professional standards as measured by the national examination. An FSBPT score transfer will decrease the length of time required to process an application for licensure by the Division.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

This filing requires an applicant for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant license to arrange for the examination provider to transfer the applicant's examination score directly to the Division. The associated costs, which are not within the control of the Division, are anticipated to impact individual applicants rather than businesses.

Francine A. Giani, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Commerce
Occupational and Professional Licensing
HEBER M WELLS BLDG
160 E 300 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-2316

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Suzette Farmer at the above address, by phone at 801-530-6789, by FAX at 801-530-6511, or by Internet E-mail at sfarmer@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

03/17/2015

This rule may become effective on:

03/24/2015

Authorized by:

Mark Steinagel, Director

R156. Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing.

R156-24b. Physical Therapy Practice Act Rule.

R156-24b-302b. Qualifications for Licensure - Examination Requirements.

(1) In accordance with Subsections 58-24b-302(1)(e), (2)(e) and (3)(e), each applicant for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall pass the FSBPT's National Physical Therapy Examination with a passing score as established by the FSBPT, after submitting proof of graduation from a professional physical therapist education program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation agency. A passing score on the FSBPT's National Physical Therapy Examination shall be verified through a score transfer from the FSBPT.

(2) An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist who fails the FSBPT National Physical Therapy Examination-Physical Therapist is eligible to sit for the FSBPT National Physical Therapy Examination-Physical Therapist Assistant after submitting an application for licensure as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

 

KEY: licensing, physical therapy, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [August 21, 2014]2015

Notice of Continuation: November 15, 2011

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 58-24b-101; 58-1-106(1)(a); 58-1-202(1)(a)