(A) There is hereby created the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board consisting of sixteen residents of this state, who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The board shall be composed of a physical therapy section, an occupational therapy section, and an athletic trainers section.

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(1) Four members of the board shall be physical therapists who are licensed to practice physical therapy and who have been engaged in or actively associated with the practice of physical therapy in this state for at least five years immediately preceding appointment. One member shall be a licensed physical therapist assistant who has been engaged in or actively associated with the practice of assisting in the provision of physical therapy treatments in this state for at least five years immediately preceding appointment. Such members of the board shall sit on the physical therapy section. The physical therapy section also shall consist of four additional members, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, who satisfy the same qualifications as the members of the board sitting on the physical therapy section, but who are not members of the board. Of the additional physical therapy section members, at least three shall be physical therapists. The fourth additional member shall be either a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant. Of the additional physical therapy section members whose terms commence on August 28, 2007, one shall be for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, and one for a term of four years. Such additional members of the physical therapy section are vested with only such powers and shall perform only such duties as relate to the affairs of that section.

(2) Four members of the board shall be occupational therapists and one member shall be a licensed occupational therapy assistant, all of whom have been engaged in or actively associated with the practice of occupational therapy or practice as an occupational therapy assistant in this state for at least five years immediately preceding appointment. Such members of the board shall sit on the occupational therapy section.

(3) Four members of the board shall be athletic trainers who have been engaged in the practice of athletic training in Ohio for at least five years immediately preceding appointment. One member of the board shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this state. Such members of the board shall sit on the athletic trainers section.

(4) One member of the board shall represent the public. This member shall sit on the board and shall attend each year at least three meetings of the physical therapy section, three meetings of the occupational therapy section, and three meetings of the athletic trainers section.

(B) Except for the terms of office specified in division (A)(1) of this section for the additional members of the physical therapy section commencing on August 28, 2007, terms for the members of the board and the additional members of the physical therapy section are for three years. Each member’s term shall commence on the twenty-eighth day of August and end on the twenty-seventh day of August. Each member shall serve subsequent to the expiration of the member’s term until the member’s successor is appointed and qualifies, or until a period of ninety days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. A member shall not serve for more than three consecutive terms. All vacancies shall be filled in the manner prescribed for the regular appointments and are limited to the unexpired terms.

(C) Each member of the board and each additional member of the physical therapy section, before entering upon the official duties of office, shall do both of the following:

(1) Subscribe to and file with the secretary of state the constitutional oath of office;

(2) Sign and file with the executive director of the board a notarized statement that the member has read and understands sections 121.22 and 149.43 of the Revised Code and the provisions of Chapter 119 of the Revised Code that are applicable to the duties of the board.

(D) Annually, upon the qualification of the member or members appointed in that year, the board shall organize by selecting from its members a president and secretary. Each section of the board shall independently organize by selecting from its members a chairperson and secretary.

(E) A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum to transact and vote on the business of the board. A majority of the members of each section constitutes a quorum to transact and vote on the affairs of that section.

(F) Each member of the board and each additional member of the physical therapy section shall receive an amount fixed pursuant to division (J) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code for each day employed in the discharge of official duties. In addition, each member of the board and each additional member of the physical therapy section shall receive the member’s actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

(G) The board of trustees of the Ohio occupational therapy association may recommend, after any term expires or vacancy occurs in an occupational therapy position, at least three persons to fill each such position or vacancy on the board, and the governor may make the appointment from the persons so recommended. The executive board of the Ohio chapter of the American physical therapy association may recommend, after any term expires or vacancy occurs in a physical therapy position, at least three persons to fill each such vacancy on the board, and the governor may make appointments from the persons so recommended. The Ohio athletic trainers association shall recommend to the governor at least three persons when any term expires or any vacancy occurs in an athletic trainer position. The governor may select one of the association’s recommendations in making such an appointment.

(H) The board shall meet as a whole to determine all administrative, personnel, and budgetary matters. The executive director of the board appointed by the board shall not be a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, or an athletic trainer who has been licensed to practice physical therapy, occupational therapy, or as an athletic trainer in this state within three years immediately preceding appointment. The executive director shall execute, under the direction of the board, the policies, orders, directives, and administrative functions of the board and shall direct, under rules adopted by the board, the work of all persons employed by the board. Upon the request of the board, the executive director shall report to the board on any matter. The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

(I) The occupational therapy section of the board shall have the authority to act on behalf of the board on matters concerning the practice of occupational therapy and, in particular, the examination of applicants, the issuance of licenses, and the suspension or revocation of licenses to practice as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. The physical therapy section of the board shall have the authority to act on behalf of the board on matters concerning the practice of physical therapy and, in particular, the examination, licensure, and suspension or revocation of licensure of applicants, physical therapists, and physical therapist assistants. The athletic trainers section of the board shall have the authority to act on behalf of the board on matters concerning the practice of athletic training and, in particular, the examination, licensure, and suspension or revocation of licensure of applicants and athletic trainers. All actions taken by any section of the board under this division shall be in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code.