32-2022. Qualifications for licensure and
certification
A. An applicant for a license as a physical therapist who has been educated in the
United States shall:
1. Be of good moral character.
2. Complete the application process.
3. Be a graduate of a professional physical therapy education program accredited by
a national accreditation agency approved by the board.
4. Have successfully passed the national examination approved by the board.
5. Have successfully passed a jurisprudence examination that tests the applicant's
knowledge of board statutes and rules.
B. An applicant for a license as a physical therapist who has been educated outside
of the United States shall:
1. Be of good moral character.
2. Complete the application process.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Provide proof of legal authorization to reside and seek employment in the United
States or its territories.
6. Have passed the board approved English proficiency examinations if the
applicant's native language is not English.
7. 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.
8. Have successfully passed the national examination approved by the board.
9. Have successfully passed a jurisprudence examination that tests the applicant's
knowledge of board statutes and rules.
C. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection B, 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
3 and 7.
D. An applicant for certification as a physical therapist assistant shall meet the
following requirements:
1. Be of good moral character.
2. Complete the application process.
3. Be a graduate of a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by
an agency approved by the board.
4. Have successfully passed the national examination approved by the board.
5. Have successfully passed a jurisprudence examination that tests the applicant's
knowledge of board statutes and rules.
E. For the purposes of subsection B, paragraph 3, "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.
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