2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 37:2403 — Qualifications for license

§2403.  Qualifications for license

A.  To be qualified for a license as a physical therapist, an applicant must:

(1)  Be twenty-one years of age.

(2)  Be a citizen of the United States or have filed a declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States.  (Present certificate).

(3)  Be of good moral character.

(4)  Have paid all fees required by this chapter.

(5)  Have graduated from a school of physical therapy, which school, at the time of such graduation, was approved by the Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

(6)  Pass an examination to the satisfaction of the board as provided for in R.S. 37:2409.

B.  A graduate of a school of physical therapy outside of the United States shall be qualified for a license as a physical therapist provided he complies with the provisions of Paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of Subsection A and in addition complies with the following provisions:

(1)  Present in person his original diploma or facsimile (with English translation) from the physical therapy school from which he was graduated, together with a letter of recommendation from the dean or any other senior administrator of the physical therapy school from which applicant was graduated, which letter is to be authenticated by the United States Consul.

(2)  Provide indisputable identification.

(3)  Demonstrate in a personal interview his ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.

(4)  Present proof of identity and proof of certification or licensure as a physical therapist in the country where he completed his education.

(5)  Obtain from the Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners a permit to engage in supervised clinical experience under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist licensed under this Chapter.  The period of supervised clinical experience shall be for at least six months but not more than eighteen months, based on full-time employment.  The board, in its discretion, may accept part-time employment during the periods of time set forth above as complying with the requirements for supervised clinical experience.

(6)  Present written evidence satisfactory to the board that he has completed the required period of supervised clinical experience, that he is competent to practice physical therapy, and pass the examination as provided for in R.S. 37:2409.

(7)  The board may waive the examination provided for in R.S. 37:2409 in favor of an applicant who presents to the board a license and endorsement from another state if the board finds that said license and endorsement were obtained on the basis of requirements and qualifications equivalent to those of the State of Louisiana.

C.  To be qualified for a license as a physical therapist assistant, an applicant must:

(1)  Be at least nineteen years of age.

(2)  Be of good moral character.

(3)  Have paid all fees required by this Chapter.

(4)  Have graduated from an accredited school of physical therapist assisting, which school, at the time of such graduation, was approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or the Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.  The Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners shall not, however, require an applicant to have completed a course of training in excess of that required for an associate degree.

(5)  Pass an examination to the satisfaction of the board as provided for in R.S. 37:2409.

D.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection C, any person performing patient-related activities under the supervision of a duly licensed physical therapist on August 21, 1992, shall be eligible for licensure as a physical therapist assistant, if he meets the requirements of Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of Subsection C and, complies with the following provisions:

(1)  Has worked by assisting with patient care in a physical therapy setting in the state for a minimum of two years immediately preceding August 21, 1992, under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

(2)  Obtains two references from physical therapists licensed in the state for a minimum of two years each.

(3)  Obtains an evaluation concerning certain competencies as defined in rules and regulations adopted by the board from a physical therapist licensed in the state for a minimum of five years.

(4)(a)  Passes an examination approved by the board and to the satisfaction of the board as provided for in R.S. 37:2409.  The examination shall be passed not later than March 21, 1997.

(b)  Those persons eligible and qualified who have not taken the examination at a prior date may sit for the examination for a maximum of three sittings at the regularly scheduled examinations.

(c)  Those persons eligible and qualified who have previously taken but not passed the examination may retake the examination no more than twice by March 21, 1997, but in no case shall a person be allowed to take the examination more than a total of three times.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 68, §1.  Amended by Acts 1972, No. 674, §1; Acts 1983, No. 555, §1; Acts 1987, No. 208, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1992, No. 731, §1; Acts 1995, No. 885, §1; Acts 1995, No. 952, §1.

{{NOTE:  SEE ACTS 1987, NO. 208, §3.}}