# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 38 — Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

### Chapter 06 — Foreign-Educated Licensure Requirements

**Authority:** Health Occupations Article, §§13-206, 13-207, 13-301—13-303, 13-305—13-307, and 13-311, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: December 29, 1986 (13:26 Md. R. 2807)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01B—D amended effective August 5, 1991 (18:15 Md. R. 1727)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01D amended effective December 19, 1994 (21:25 Md. R. 2106)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02A amended effective August 5, 1991 (18:15 Md. R. 1727)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03A amended effective August 5, 1991 (18:15 Md. R. 1727); December 19, 1994 (21:25 Md. R. 2106)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04C amended effective August 5, 1991 (18:15 Md. R. 1727)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective April 17, 2000 (27:7 Md. R. 706); April 24, 2006 (33:8 Md. R. 734)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01A, B amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 515)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01C amended effective April 16, 2001 (28:7 Md. R. 690); June 8, 2015 (42:11 Md. R. 725)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective April 17, 2000 (27:7 Md. R. 706)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended effective April 17, 2000 (27:7 Md. R. 706); April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 525); April 2, 2012 (39:6 Md. R. 408); April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 466)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03A amended effective April 24, 2006 (33:8 Md. R. 734)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03E adopted effective June 8, 2015 (42:11 Md. R. 725)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04 amended effective April 17, 2000 (27:7 Md. R. 706); April 24, 2006 (33:8 Md. R. 734)

#### Regulation .01 Requirements for Licensure.

*COMAR 10.38.06.01*

A. Application Options.

  (1) An applicant educated in a physical therapy core curriculum outside the United States or its territories shall apply for licensure under one of the categories described in §A(2)—(4) of this regulation.

  (2) Examination. The applicant shall file with the Board:

    (a) An application on the form the Board provides;

    (b) The application and examination fees as specified in COMAR 10.38.07;

    (c) Evaluation of educational credentials forwarded directly to the Board from an approved agency that provides evidence that the applicant's education is equivalent to that of an accredited core physical therapy program in the United States;

    (d) Evidence of oral competency in the English language; and

    (e) Evidence of written competency in the English language.

  (3) Transfer of Examination Scores. The applicant shall file the following with the Board:

    (a) An application on the form the Board provides;

    (b) The application fee as specified in COMAR 10.38.07;

    (c) Evaluation of educational credentials forwarded directly to the Board from an approved agency that provides evidence that the applicant's education is equivalent to that of an accredited physical therapy program in the United States;

    (d) Evidence of oral competency in the English language;

    (e) Evidence of written competency in the English language;

    (f) A sworn statement that the applicant is not licensed in another state;

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

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

  (4) Waiver of Examination. The applicant shall file the following with the Board:

    (a) An application on the form the Board provides;

    (b) The application fee as specified in COMAR 10.38.07;

    (c) Evaluation of educational credentials forwarded directly to the Board from an approved agency that provides evidence that the applicant's education is equivalent to that of an accredited core physical therapy program in the United States;

    (d) Evidence of oral competency in the English language;

    (e) Evidence of written competency in the English language;

    (f) A copy of a current physical therapy license;

    (g) Verification of current licensure on the form the Board provides; and

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

B. In addition to the requirements of §A of this regulation, an applicant educated in a core physical therapy curriculum outside the United States or its territories shall comply with §C of this regulation.

C. Additional Requirements. Applicants for licensure shall:

  (1) Achieve a passing score on the licensing examinations;

  (2) Attend an interview unless the Board waives this requirement; and

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

#### Regulation .02 Reexamination.

*COMAR 10.38.06.02*

A. National Licensing Examination.

  (1) An applicant who fails shall repeat the examination.

  (2) Fees.

    (a) The applicant shall pay to the Board the reexamination fee as specified in COMAR 10.38.07.

    (b) An applicant who fails the licensing examination twice shall pay to the Board an application fee as specified in COMAR 10.38.07 in addition to the reexamination fee.

B. Examination on Maryland Physical Therapy Law. An applicant who fails the examination on the Maryland Physical Therapy Practice Act and associated regulations shall:

  (1) Repeat the examination; and

  (2) Attend an interview unless the Board waives this requirement.

#### Regulation .03 Issuance of Licenses.

*COMAR 10.38.06.03*

A. Temporary License.

  (1) 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.

  (2) The holder of a temporary license shall:

    (a) Practice under direct supervision while the temporary license is in effect;

    (b) Achieve a passing score on the Maryland Physical Therapy jurisprudence exam; and

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

  (3) A temporary license is valid until:

    (a) 90 days after issuance;

    (b) The Board issues a full license to practice physical therapy or limited physical therapy to the holder of the temporary license; or

    (c) The Board revokes the temporary license.

B. Licensure Procedures.

  (1) When the applicant has met all the requirements for licensure, the Board may issue a physical therapist license to the applicant.

  (2) Renewal of Physical Therapist License.

    (a) The licensee shall renew the physical therapist license biennially.

    (b) The licensee shall be responsible for notifying the Board if a renewal notice is not received.

    (c) The Board may issue a renewal license to the licensee who meets the requirements of Health Occupations Article, §13-311(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (3) Method of Renewal Notification.

    (a) Except as otherwise provided in §B(3)(b) of this regulation, the Board shall mail notices for renewal at least 1 month before the expiration date.

    (b) If requested by a licensee, the Board shall send to the licensee, at least two times within the month before a license expires, a renewal notice by electronic means to the last known electronic mail address of the licensee.

    (c) If a renewal notice sent by electronic mail under §B(3)(b) of this regulation is returned to the Board as undeliverable, the Board shall send to the licensee a renewal notice by first-class mail to the last known address of the licensee.

  (4) The Board may issue a duplicate license for a lost, stolen, or destroyed license provided the licensee:

    (a) Makes a request in writing;

    (b) Provides a sworn statement or police report attesting to the facts; and

    (c) Pays the fee as established in COMAR 10.38.07.

  (5) The Board may not issue a license under this subtitle if the results of the criminal history records check required pursuant to Regulation .01C(3) of this chapter has not been received.

#### Regulation .04 Restrictions.

*COMAR 10.38.06.04*

A. The Board may refuse to grant a license to an applicant who:

  (1) Begins practice as a physical therapist before being licensed to practice in Maryland;

  (2) Practices after the date of expiration of the license;

  (3) Fails the licensing examinations; or

  (4) Fails to pay all outstanding fees to the Board.

B. An applicant shall complete the application process within 1 year of the date of the paid application or reapply for licensure.

C. The Board may refuse to renew a license of an applicant who fails to pay all outstanding fees to the Board.