Ohio

United States Physical Therapy Practice Acts

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Temporary License Requirements/Availability

• Currently there is no temporary Physical Therapy license in Ohio.

Requirements for License

Anyone who wants to practice Physical Therapy need to apply via the Physical Therapy section of the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board. Applicants must register and create an application through the Ohio eLicense system. Individuals seeking Ohio licensure may apply for one of the following based on their current circumstances:

1) Examination Application: for individuals preparing to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), or for those who have successfully passed the NPTE under approval of another state physical therapy regulating body but have not been issued a license to practice in that state.

2) Endorsement Application: for individuals who have passed the NPTE and who hold a current license to practice physical therapy in another U.S. state or territory.

3) Reinstatement Application: for applicants who have previously held a license to practice physical therapy in Ohio at any time in the past.

In general, application requirements include the following documents, which are uploaded via the online application:

• Non-refundable application fee of $100.00
• Certification of Entry-Level Education (master's or doctorate-level program in physical therapy that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education [CAPTE]; certification of program completion must come from academic program with an ink seal or digital certification)
• Verification of Licensure (required for any jurisdiction in which applicant holds or has ever held a license, certificate, or registration to practice physical therapy or another healthcare profession)
• Non-U.S. Educated Applicants must additionally submit a TOEFL-ibt score with the online application.

In addition to the above, the following documents are submitted directly to the Board:

• NPTE Examination Score: via the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
• Ohio Jurisprudence Exam Score: an examination on Ohio's rules governing the practice of physical therapy
• BCI/FBI Criminal Records Check
• Non-U.S. Educated Applicants must additionally mail a completed Credential Evaluation.

Supervision

• The supervising physical therapist is accountable and responsible at all times for the direction of the actions of the persons supervised, including the:
  (1) Physical therapist assistant;
  (2) Student physical therapist;
  (3) Student physical therapist assistant;
  (4) Other licensed personnel; and
  (5) Unlicensed personnel.
• Supervision for a physical therapist assistant does not require the supervising physical therapist to be on-site or on location. The supervising physical therapist must be available by telecommunication at all times and able to respond appropriately to the needs of the patient.
• Supervision of other licensed personnel: direct supervision from the supervising physical therapist or supervising physical therapist assistant is required whenever the other licensed personnel is performing patient interventions.

Physical Therapy Students

• The Physical Therapy Student may only be supervised by a licensed Physical Therapist who must be on-site to respond immediately to the needs of the patient when the student is performing examinations, evaluations, and interventions.

Continued Competence

• Physical Therapists practicing in the state of Ohio are required to complete a minimum of 24 contact hours per renewal cycle except for the first renewal cycle. (1 contact hour is one clock hour spent in a continuing education activity).
• Each renewal cycle is to be completed by the 31st of January in each even numbered year.
• Continued education programs must be approved by the Physical Therapy section of the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board.

Does the Act appear restrictive? Why/Why not?

It appears that certain sections of the act are restrictive for example in the section where it describes the Physical Therapist using orthotics it uses the terms "shall be limited to the application of the following orthotic devices".

Is there anything unusual about this act?

• The definition of Physical Therapy specifically states that Physical Therapy does not include the use of Roentgen rays or
  radium for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, or the use of electricity for cauterization or other surgical purposes.

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.