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IMPORTANT NOTICE:
NEW BACKGROUND SCREENING LAW
HB 7069 (2010), RELATING TO BACKGROUND SCREENING
HB 7069 (2010) was signed into law by Governor Crist on May 26, 2010, and contains expanded requirements for background screening for health care practitioners who work in certain facilities, including those regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants who are employed in or seeking employment in facilities regulated by AHCA may obtain more information about the new requirements by visiting AHCAs Background Screening web page at the address below or by contacting the Background Screening Section at (850) 412-4503.
http://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Background_Screening/index.shtml
EXEMPTIONS FROM DISQUALIFICATION
If AHCA notifies you that you must obtain an Exemption from Disqualification from the Florida Board of Physical Therapy, as a result of your background screening report, you will need to download and complete the form provided on its website at the following address:
http://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Background_Screening/exemption.shtml
The application should then be submitted to the Physical Therapy Board office, along with all required supporting documentation, to the following address:
Florida Department of Health
Division of Medical Quality Assurance
Physical Therapy Board Office
4052 Bald Cypress Way BIN C-05
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3255
Upon receipt, Board staff will review the application and documentation to ensure that all required information has been received and will place consideration of the application on the next scheduled Board meeting agenda. You will receive a formal meeting notice from the Board office once the application has been deemed complete.
Important Messages:
The Board received an inquiry as to whether or not a physical therapist can accept referrals from Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs). Based on the below statute, this is clearly prohibited.
Chapter 486.021(11)
A physical therapist may implement a plan of treatment for a patient. The physical therapist shall refer the patient to or consult with a health care practitioner licensed under chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter 460, chapter 461, or chapter 466, if the
patients condition is found to be outside the scope of physical therapy. If physical therapy treatment for a patient is required beyond 21 days for a condition not previously assessed by a practitioner of record, the physical therapist shall obtain a practitioner of record who will review and sign the plan. A health care practitioner licensed under chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter 460, chapter 461, or chapter 466 and engaged in active practice is eligible to serve as a practitioner of
record
To read a recent Final Order Denying Petition for Declaratory Statement, click here
MQA is now sending renewal notices using postcards! (pdf - 12kb)
CE Broker Information for Providers and Licensees - Licensees may subscribe now and receive the personal benefits of continuing education tracking. The renewal of your license will be affected by continuing education tracking through the CE Broker system.
Please understand, regardless of your initial licensure date, all licensure bienniums (two year periods) begin on December 1 of one odd year and end November 30 of the following odd year.
It is your responsibility to keep the Department informed of any address changes you may have. State mail is not forwarded and will be returned to the Department.
General Renewal Information
PT/PTA licenses expire November 30 of every odd-numbered year. All licensees are required to complete 24 contact hours of approved continuing education within the 24 months preceding each biennial renewal period.
Applicants who become licensed in the second half of the biennium (December 1 of every even-numbered year) are exempt from all the continuing education requirements for their first renewal, except for an approved one hour HIV/AIDS course. This course is required for first time renewals only.
Reactivation Requirements
To reactivate your license, you will need to send a written request to the Board office along with the required reactivation fee of $130.00 and proof of continuing education. You must turn in 24 hours of continuing education for the biennium you went inactive and 20 hours for each biennium your license was inactive. Two hours on Prevention of Medical Errors is required for each biennium your license was Inactive. A two hour continuing education course specifically related to Physical Therapy
laws and rules within one year prior to reactivation is also required. To determine exactly how many CEUs you will need, please contact the Board office at (850) 245-4373.
Continuing Education
Obtain a Written License Certification
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