32-2022. Qualifications for licensure; fingerprint clearance card

A. An applicant for a license as a physical therapist who has been educated in the United States shall:

1. Complete the application process.

2. Be a graduate of a professional physical therapy education program that is accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the board.

3. Have successfully passed the national examination approved by the board.

4. Have successfully passed a jurisprudence examination that tests the applicant's knowledge of board statutes and rules.

5. Obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41-1758.03.

B. An applicant for a license as a physical therapist who has been educated outside of the United States shall:

1. Complete the application process.

2. Provide satisfactory evidence that the applicant's education is substantially equivalent to the requirements of physical therapists educated in accredited educational programs as determined by the board.  If the board determines that a foreign-educated applicant's education is not substantially equivalent, it may require the person to complete additional coursework before it proceeds with the application process. It is not necessary that coursework completed by the applicant be identical in all respects to that required by an education program in the United States for an entry-level physical therapy degree, but all required content areas must be evident as required by board rules. Deficiencies may occur only in coursework and not in essential areas of professional education and shall not be of a magnitude that would cause the education to be deemed below entry-level preparation for practice in this state.

3. Provide written proof of legal authorization to practice as a physical therapist without limitation in the country where the professional education occurred.  The board may waive this requirement on receipt of written proof that the applicant cannot demonstrate legal authorization based on the citizenship requirements of the country where the professional education occurred.

4. Provide proof of legal authorization to reside and seek employment in the United States or its territories.

5. Have passed the board-approved English proficiency examinations if the applicant's native language is not English.

6. Have participated in an interim supervised clinical practice period before licensure as approved by the board or shall have already met this requirement to the board's satisfaction by virtue of the applicant's clinical practice in another jurisdiction of the United States.

7. Have successfully passed the national examination approved by the board.

8. Have successfully passed a jurisprudence examination that tests the applicant's knowledge of board statutes and rules.

9. Obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41-1758.03.

C. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection B of this section, if the foreign-educated physical therapist applicant is a graduate of an accredited educational program as determined by the board, the board may waive the requirements of subsection B, paragraphs 2 and 6 of this section.

D. An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist assistant shall meet the following requirements:

1. Complete the application process.

2. Be a graduate of a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by an agency approved by the board.

3. Have successfully passed the national examination approved by the board.

4. Have successfully passed a jurisprudence examination that tests the applicant's knowledge of board statutes and rules.

5. Obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 41-1758.03.

E. For the purposes of subsection B, paragraph 2 of this section, "substantially equivalent" means that the applicant provides documentation satisfactory to the board that:

1. The applicant graduated from a physical therapist education program that prepares the applicant to engage without restriction in the practice of physical therapy.

2. The applicant's school of physical therapy education is recognized by its own ministry of education.  The board may waive this requirement for good cause shown.

3. The applicant has undergone a credentials evaluation as directed by the board that determines that the applicant has met uniform criteria for educational requirements pursuant to board rules.

4. The applicant has completed any additional education required by the board.