2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes § 90-270.26. Powers of the Board.

§ 90‑270.26.  Powers of the Board.

The Board shall have the following general powers and duties:

(1)       Examine and determine the qualifications and fitness of applicants for a license to practice physical therapy in this State;

(2)       Issue, renew, deny, suspend, or revoke licenses to practice physical therapy in this State, or reprimand or otherwise discipline licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants;

(3)       Conduct investigations for the purpose of determining whether violations of this Article or grounds for disciplining licensed physical therapists or physical therapist assistants exist;

(4)       Employ such professional, clerical or special personnel necessary to carry out the provisions of this Article, and may purchase or rent necessary office space, equipment and supplies;

(5)       Conduct administrative hearings in accordance with Chapter 150B of the General Statutes when a "contested case" as defined in G.S. 150B‑2(2) arises under this Article;

(6)       Appoint from its own membership one or more members to act as representatives of the Board at any meeting where such representation is deemed desirable;

(7)       Establish reasonable fees for applications for examination, certificates of licensure and renewal, and other services provided by the Board;

(8)       Adopt, amend, or repeal any rules or regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article and the duties and responsibilities of the Board.

The powers and duties enumerated above are granted for the purpose of enabling the Board to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare against unqualified or incompetent practitioners of physical therapy, and are to be liberally construed to accomplish this objective. In instances where the Board makes a decision to discipline physical therapists or physical therapist assistants under powers set out by any of subsections (2) through (5) of this section, it may as part of its decision charge the reasonable costs of investigation and hearing to the person disciplined. (1979, c. 487; 1985, c. 701, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, ss. 1, 77.)