Illinois

United States Physical Therapy Practice Acts

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Requirements for License

Sec. 8. Qualifications for licensure as a Physical Therapist.
(a) A person is qualified to receive a license as a physical therapist if that person has applied in writing, on forms prescribed by the Department, has paid the required fees, and meets all of the following requirements:
(1) He or she is at least 18 years of age and of good
moral character. In determining moral character, the Department may take into consideration any felony conviction of the applicant, but such a conviction shall not operate automatically as a complete bar to a license.

(2) He or she has graduated from a curriculum in
physical therapy approved by the Department. In approving a curriculum in physical therapy, the Department shall consider, but not be bound by, accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. A person who graduated from a physical therapy program outside the United States or its territories shall have his or her degree validated as equivalent to a physical therapy degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. The Department may establish by rule a method for the completion of course deficiencies.

(3) He or she has passed an examination approved by
the Department to determine his fitness for practice as a physical therapist, or is entitled to be licensed without examination as provided in Sections 10 and 11 of this Act. A person who graduated from a physical therapy program outside the United States or its territories and whose first language is not English shall submit certification of passage of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) as defined by rule prior to taking the licensure examination.

(b) The Department reserves the right and may request a personal interview of an applicant before the Board to further evaluate his or her qualifications for a license.
(Source: P.A. 94-651, eff. 1-1-06.)

Continued Competence

Continuing education renewal requirements. The Department shall promulgate rules concerning continuing education for persons licensed under this Act that require 40 hours of continuing education per license renewal cycle for a physical therapist and 20 hours of continuing education per license renewal cycle for a physical therapist assistant. In establishing these rules, the Department shall consider education required for the 2 categories of licensees to maintain current knowledge and understanding of their respective scope of practice, professional ethics, and standards of care, as described in this Act, and in material provided by relevant professional associations. The Department shall also consider the educational requirements for board certification in physical therapy specialty areas, requirements for advanced clinical or academic degrees related to physical therapy, requirements for attaining advanced skills specific to particular practice environments and patient populations, and the educational needs related to special interest groups within the professions. These rules shall assure that licensees are given the opportunity to participate in those programs sponsored by or through their professional associations, hospitals, or employers and which are relevant to their practice. These rules shall also address variances for illness or hardship. Each licensee is responsible for maintaining records of completion of continuing education and shall be prepared to produce the records when requested by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 92-350, eff. 8-15-01.)

References

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Disclaimer:   Informational Content is assimilated from the state practice act is a resource only and should not be considered a  substitute for the content within the state practice act.  All state practice acts can change and it is recommended that you refer to the original resource in the link above.