Iowa

United States Physical Therapy Practice Acts

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Temporary License Requirements/Availability

645—200.3(147) Requirements for practice prior to licensure. Rescinded IAB 12/19/07, effective
1/23/08.

In order to recieve a license, one must first succesfully pass the NPTE board.  One may not practice prior to licensure.

Requirements for License

645—200.2(147) Requirements for licensure. The following criteria shall apply to licensure:
200.2(1) Applicants must complete a board-approved application packed (http://www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure) which is available online or at the board office.  Applications shall be sent to:

Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Professional Licensure Division

Fifth Floor, Lucas State Office Building

Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075

200.2(2) The application will not be reviewed by the board if it is not completed correctly.

200.2(3) Turn in appropriate fees (check or money order) Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy with application. The fees are nonrefundable.

200.2(4) Application will not be considered until the board recieves official copies of academic transcripts from a PT program accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the board.  The accredited program must be completed.

200.2(5) The board will send a notification of eligibility for the examination to the applicant.

200.2(6) Have the examination score sent directly from the testing service to the board.

200.2(7) Licensees who were issued their initial licenses within six months prior to the renewal date
shall not be required to renew their licenses until the renewal date two years later.

200.2(8) Incomplete applications that have been on file in the board office for more than two years
shall be:
a. Considered invalid and shall be destroyed; or
b. Maintained upon written request of the candidate. The candidate is responsible for requesting

b. Maintained upon written request of the candidate. The candidate is responsible for requesting
that the file be maintained.

645—200.4(147) Examination requirements for physical therapists and physical therapist
assistants. The following criteria shall apply to the written examination(s):

200.4(1) The applicant shall take and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) or
other nationally recognized equivalent examination as defined by the board.

200.4(2) The applicant shall abide by the following criteria:
a. For examinations taken prior to July 1, 1994, satisfactory completion shall be defined as
receiving an overall examination score exceeding 1.5 standard deviations below the national average.
b. For examinations completed after July 1, 1994, satisfactory completion shall be defined as
receiving an overall examination score equal to or greater than the criterion-referenced passing point
recommended by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

200.4(3) Following 3 attempts to pass the board, a student may be approved for additional testing after demonstrating evidecne of completing additional coursework.

200.4(4) The applicant shall be notified by the board in writing of examination results.

645—200.5(147) Educational qualifications.

200.5(1) The applicant must present proof of meeting the following requirements for licensure as a
physical therapist or physical therapist assistant:
a. Educational requirements—physical therapists. Physical therapists shall graduate from a
physical therapy program accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the board.
(1) If the degree is granted on or before January 31, 2004, the degree must be equivalent to at least
a baccalaureate degree.
(2) If the degree is granted on or after February 1, 2004, the degree must be equivalent to a
postbaccalaureate degree.
b. Educational requirements—physical therapist assistants. Physical therapist assistants shall
graduate from a PTA program accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the board.

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.