Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-6. Qualification of physical therapists
Any applicant for licensure shall submit to the board written evidence on forms furnished by the department of health that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Is at least eighteen (18) years of age;
(2) Is of good moral character;
(3) Has graduated from an education program in physical therapy accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or other accrediting agency as approved by the department in consultation with the board in the year of the applicant’s graduation; and
(4) Has passed the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) or other physical therapy certification examination as approved by the department in consultation with the board to determine the applicant’s fitness to engage in the practice of physical therapy.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 261, § 2; P.L. 2003, ch. 133, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 152, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 176, § 11; P.L. 2018, ch. 289, § 11.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-6
- Board: means the board of physical therapy established by § 5-40-2. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1
- Department: means the department of health. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Examination: means an examination approved by the department in consultation with the board. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1
- Physical therapy: means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1
- Practice of physical therapy: means :
(i)(A) Examination, evaluation, treatment, and instruction of patients/clients to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, physical dysfunction, and pain from injury, disease, and any other bodily conditions;
(B) Administration, interpretation, and evaluation of tests and measurements of bodily functions and structures;
(C) The planning, administration, evaluation, and modification of treatment and instruction, including the use of physical measures, activities, and devices, for preventive and therapeutic purposes;
(D) The provision of consultative, educational, and other advisory services for the purpose of reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, physical dysfunction, and pain; and
(E) Ordering diagnostic imaging and studies that are performed and interpreted by other licensed healthcare professionals pursuant to the provisions of § 5-40-23. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1