Chapter 01. General Regulations

“Approved agency” means an independent credentialing agency, approved by the Board, which evaluates the credentials of foreign-trained applicants.

“Approved curriculum for physical therapist assistants” means a curriculum that is approved by the American Physical Therapy Association.

“Approved physical therapy curriculum” means a curriculum for physical therapists that is approved by the American Medical Association or the American Physical Therapy Association.

“Biennial renewal” means renewal every other year with even-numbered licenses being renewed in even-numbered years and odd-numbered licenses being renewed in odd-numbered years.

“Board” means the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners of Maryland established by Health Occupations Article, §13-201, Annotated Code of Maryland.

“Direct supervision” means supervision provided by a licensed physical therapist who is physically present within the treatment area and immediately available to give aid, direction, and instruction when physical therapy or limited physical therapy procedures or activities are performed.

“Hearing committee” means a committee of three or more Board members that has been delegated the authority to conduct hearings in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §13-317, Annotated Code of Maryland.

“Interview” means a meeting with the Board or with one or more of its representatives.

Licensed Physical Therapist.

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant.

“Licensing examinations” means the written examinations approved by the Board consisting of the:

“Ongoing supervision” means that the physical therapist maintains continuing verbal and written contact with the physical therapist assistant to provide supervision and instruction adequate to ensure the safety and welfare of the patient.

“Oral competency” means that the applicant who did not graduate from a recognized English-speaking educational institution has obtained a passing score, as determined by the Board, on the Test of English as a Foreign Language administered by the Educational Testing Service.

“Passing score” means the result of two examinations:

“Physical therapy aide” or “aide” means a person who performs certain physical therapy duties under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. This individual may be known, also, as a physical therapist technician, a rehabilitation technician, an athletic trainer, or be described by some other similar title.

“Reporting service” means the Interstate Reporting Service, an agency approved by the Board for the purpose of recording, storing, and transmitting license examination scores.

“State” means:

“Student” means an individual who is supervised directly by a licensed physical therapist in a Board-approved physical therapy educational program.

“Temporary license” means a license issued by the Board to an individual who has completed the approved curriculum requirements to practice, while under direct supervision, as a:

“Verification” means confirmation of licensure obtained directly from the state in which the applicant is currently licensed, on a form provided by the Board.

“Waiver of national licensing examination” means that the Board may waive the national licensing examination if the applicant previously took the examination in another state and met the requirements for a passing score as set forth in §B(14) of this regulation.

“Written competency” means that the applicant who did not graduate from a recognized English-speaking educational institution has obtained a passing score, as determined by the Board, on the Test of English as a Foreign Language administered by the Educational Testing Service.

An application on the form the Board requires;

The application and national licensing examination fees established in COMAR 10.38.07; and

Proof of completion of:

An application on the form the Board requires;

The application fee established in COMAR 10.38.07;

Proof of completion of:

A sworn statement that the applicant is not now nor has ever been licensed in another state;

Evidence, satisfactory to the Board, that the applicant is registered to take, or has taken, the national licensing examination in another state; and

A copy of a letter or form to the appropriate reporting service requesting that licensing examination scores be sent to the Board.

An application on the form the Board requires;

The application fee established in COMAR 10.38.07;

Proof of completion of:

A copy of a current physical therapy license;

Verification of current license on the form the Board requires; and

A copy of a letter or form to the appropriate reporting service requesting that licensing examination scores be sent to the Board.

Achieve a passing score on the licensing examinations; and

Submit to a State and national criminal history records check in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §13–302.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.

An applicant who fails the examination shall repeat the examination.

Fees.

Repeat the examination; and

Attend an interview unless the Board waives this requirement.

The Board may issue a temporary license to an applicant who, except for passing an examination otherwise required under Health Occupations Article, Title 13, Annotated Code of Maryland, has met the appropriate education and experience requirements for a physical therapy license or a physical therapist assistant license set forth under Health Occupations Article, §13-302, Annotated Code of Maryland.

The holder of a temporary license shall:

A temporary license is valid until:

When the applicant has met all the requirements for licensure, the Board may issue a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant license to the applicant.

Renewal of Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant License.

Method of Renewal Notification.

A duplicate license shall be issued for a lost, stolen, or destroyed license provided the licensee: