§ 17-93-303 — Physical therapists

(a) (1) The Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy shall license as a physical therapist each applicant who proves to the satisfaction of the board his or her fitness for licensure under the terms of this chapter. (2) The license shall be prima facie evidence of the right of that person to practice physical therapy subject to the conditions and limitations of this chapter. (b) Each physical therapist applicant shall: (1) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; (2) Have graduated from a school of physical therapy accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the board; (3) Have passed examinations selected and approved by the board; (4) Submit fees as determined by the board; and (5) (A) Apply to the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police for a state and national criminal background check to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (B) The criminal background check shall conform to the applicable federal standards, as existing on January 1, 2019, and shall include the taking of fingerprints. (C) The applicant shall sign a release of information to the board and be responsible to the Division of Arkansas State Police for the payment of any fee associated with the criminal background check. (D) Upon completion of the criminal background check, the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police shall forward to the board all information obtained concerning the commission by the applicant of any offense listed. (c) (1) Upon payment of the fees, applicants shall be given examinations on the following subjects: the applied sciences of anatomy, neuroanatomy, kinesiology, physiology, pathology, psychology, physics, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, surgery, medical ethics, and technical procedures in the practice of physical therapy as defined in this chapter, and any other subjects the board considers necessary or desirable. (2) The national examination shall test entry-level competency related to physical therapy theory, examination and evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment intervention, prevention, and consultation. (3) (A) (i) Upon payment of all appropriate fees, applicants who do not pass the examination after the first attempt may retake the examination one (1) additional time without reapplication for licensure. (ii) The reexamination must take place within six (6) months after the first failure. (B) Before being approved by the board for subsequent testing beyond two (2) attempts, the applicant shall reapply and demonstrate evidence satisfactory to the board of having successfully completed additional clinical training or course work, or both, as determined by the board. (d) (1) (A) A license fee or renewal fee in an amount to be determined by the board shall be paid annually by each physical therapist who holds a license to practice physical therapy in the State of Arkansas. (B) The renewal fee shall be paid no later than March 1 of each year. (2) Failure to renew the license and pay the fee by March 1 shall cause the license of any person who fails to renew to expire automatically. (3) A delinquent licensee may be reinstated by paying all delinquent fees and a penalty in an amount to be determined by the board for each year or part of a year he or she has been delinquent. (e) An applicant for a license as a physical therapist who has been educated outside the United States shall: (1) Complete the application process, including payment of fees; (2) Provide written proof that the applicant's school of physical therapy is recognized by its own ministry of education or equivalent agency; (3) Undergo a credentials evaluation as directed by the board to determine that the applicant has met uniform criteria for educational requirements as further established by rules of the board; (4) Complete any additional education required by the board; (5) Pass the board-approved English proficiency examination if the applicant's native language is not English; (6) Pass all examinations required by the board under this chapter; and (7) Comply with all requirements in rules promulgated by the board.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2019, No. 990,§ 92, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 314,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019. Acts 1959, No. 141, §§ 6, 7, 11; 1973, No. 139, § 2; 1979, No. 631, § 3; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 72-1322, 72-1323, 72-1327; Acts 1987, No. 503, § 2; 1991, No. 303, §§ 1, 2; 1993, No. 1219, § 21; 1995, No. 742, § 2; 2001, No. 1412, § 5; 2009, No. 1471, § 5.