18VAC112-20 Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy

REGULATIONS

Vol. 27 Iss. 2 - September 27, 2010

TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Chapter 20

Final Regulation

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The following regulatory action is exempt from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 6 of the Code of Virginia, which excludes regulations of the regulatory boards served by the Department of Health Professions pursuant to Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia that are limited to reducing fees charged to regulants and applicants. The Board of Physical Therapy will receive, consider, and respond to petitions by any interested person at any time with respect to reconsideration or revision.

Title of Regulation: 18VAC112-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy (amending 18VAC112-20-135, 18VAC112-20-150).

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 27, 2010.

Agency Contact: Lisa R. Hahn, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone [phone], FAX [phone], or email [e-mail].

Summary:

To reduce an accumulated surplus in the budget of the Board of Physical Therapy, a one-time reduction in renewal fees has been adopted. The fees for the December 31, 2010, renewal will be reduced from $135 to $100 for physical therapists and from $70 to $60 for physical therapist assistants. The renewal fee for direct access certification is reduced from $35 to $30. Fees for inactive licensure are reduced from $70 to $60 for a physical therapist and from $35 to $30 for a physical therapist assistant.

18VAC112-20-135. Inactive license.

A. A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who holds a current, unrestricted license in Virginia shall, upon a request on the renewal application and submission of the required renewal fee of $70 for a physical therapist and $35 for a physical therapist assistant, be issued an inactive license. The fee for the renewal of an inactive license due December 31, 2010, shall be $60 for a physical therapist and $30 for a physical therapist assistant.

1. The holder of an inactive license shall not be required to meet active practice requirements.

2. An inactive licensee shall not be entitled to perform any act requiring a license to practice physical therapy in Virginia.

B. A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who holds an inactive license may reactivate his license by:

1. Paying the difference between the renewal fee for an inactive license and that of an active license for the biennium in which the license is being reactivated; and

2. Providing proof of:

a. Active practice hours in another jurisdiction equal to those required for renewal of an active license in Virginia for the period in which the license has been inactive. If the inactive licensee does not meet the requirement for active practice, the license may be reactivated by completing 480 hours in a traineeship that meets the requirements prescribed in 18VAC112-20-140; and

b. Completion of the number of continuing competency hours required for the period in which the license has been inactive, not to exceed four years.

18VAC112-20-150. Fees.

A. Unless otherwise provided, fees listed in this section shall not be refundable.

B. Licensure by examination.

1. The application fee shall be $140 for a physical therapist and $100 for a physical therapist assistant.

2. The fees for taking all required examinations shall be paid directly to the examination services.

C. Licensure by endorsement. The fee for licensure by endorsement shall be $140 for a physical therapist and $100 for a physical therapist assistant.

D. Licensure renewal and reinstatement.

1. The fee for active license renewal for a physical therapist shall be $135 and for a physical therapist assistant shall be $70 and shall be due by December 31 in each even-numbered year. The fee for renewal of an active license due December 31, 2010, shall be $100 for a physical therapist and $60 for a physical therapist assistant.

2. A fee of $25 for a physical therapist assistant and $50 for a physical therapist for processing a late renewal within one renewal cycle shall be paid in addition to the renewal fee.

3. The fee for reinstatement of a license that has expired for two or more years shall be $180 for a physical therapist and $120 for a physical therapist assistant and shall be submitted with an application for licensure reinstatement.

E. Other fees.

1. The fee for an application for reinstatement of a license that has been revoked shall be $1,000; the fee for an application for reinstatement of a license that has been suspended shall be $500.

2. The fee for a duplicate license shall be $5, and the fee for a duplicate wall certificate shall be $15.

3. The fee for a returned check shall be $35.

4. The fee for a letter of good standing/verification to another jurisdiction shall be $10.

F. Direct access certification fees.

1. The application fee shall be $75 for a physical therapist to obtain certification to provide services without a referral.

2. The fee for renewal on a direct access certification shall be $35 and shall be due by December 31 in each even-numbered year. The fee for direct access certification due December 31, 2010, shall be $30.

3. A fee of $15 for processing a late renewal of certification within one renewal cycle shall be paid in addition to the renewal fee.

VA.R. Doc. No. R11-2582; Filed September 8, 2010, 9:02 a.m.