Alabama 2023 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB25 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	SB25INTRODUCED
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3	3	NRGOJT-1
4	4	By Senator Albritton
5	5	RFD: State Governmental Affairs
6	6	First Read: 07-Mar-23
7	7	PFD: 23-Feb-23
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12	12	5 NRGOJT-1 02/24/2023 MAP (L) ma 2023-130
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14	14	SYNOPSIS:
15	15	Interstate licensure compacts are legislatively
16	16	enacted contractual agreements between states to allow
17	17	various health professionals with compact privileges to
18	18	provide services to individuals in other states.
19	19	Alabama enacted the Physical Therapy Licensure
20	20	Compact on March 18, 2021, Act 2021-115.
21	21	This bill would grant the Board of Physical
22	22	Therapy jurisdiction over physical therapists and
23	23	physical therapy assistants licensed in other states
24	24	who have compact privileges to practice in this state.
25	25	A BILL
26	26	TO BE ENTITLED
27	27	AN ACT
28	28	Relating to the Board of Physical Therapy; to amend
29	29	Sections 34-24-191, 34-24-193, 34-24-194, 34-24-196,
30	30	34-24-210, 34-24-210.1, 34-24-211, 34-24-212, 34-24-213,
31	31	34-24-214, and 34-24-217, Code of Alabama 1975; to give the
32	32	board authority over certain physical therapy professionals
33	33	licensed in other states.
34	34	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
35	35	Section 1. Sections 34-24-191, Relating to the Board of
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65	65	Physical Therapy; to amend Sections 34-24-191, 34-24-193,
66	66	34-24-194, 34-24-196, 34-24-210, 34-24-210.1, 34-24-211,
67	67	34-24-212, 34-24-213, 34-24-214, and 34-24-217, Code of
68	68	Alabama 1975; to give the board authority over certain
69	69	physical therapy professionals licensed in other states. ,
70	70	Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:
71	71	"§34-24-191
72	72	(a) For the purposes of this article, the following
73	73	words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively
74	74	ascribed by this section:
75	75	(1) BOARD. The Board of Physical Therapy established by
76	76	Section 34-24-192.
77	77	(2) COMMISSION. The Physical Therapy Compact
78	78	Commission, the national administrative body whose membership
79	79	consists of all states that have enacted the interstate
80	80	compact.
81	81	(3) COMPACT PRIVILEGE. The authorization granted by a
82	82	remote state to allow a licensee from another state to
83	83	practice as a physical therapist or work as a physical
84	84	therapist assistant in the remote state under its laws and
85	85	rules. The practice of physical therapy occurs in the state
86	86	where the patient/client is located at the time of the
87	87	patient/client encounter.
88	88	(4) COMPACT PRIVILEGE HOLDER. An individual licensed as
89	89	a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in a
90	90	compact state who has been granted a compact privilege by the
91	91	Commission.
92	92	(2)(5) FOREIGN EDUCATED PHYSICAL THERAPIST. A person
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122	122	trained or educated in the practice of physical therapy
123	123	outside of the United States or any of its territorial
124	124	possessions.
125	125	(3)(6) IMPAIRED. The inability of a physical therapy
126	126	licensee to practice physical therapy with reasonable skill
127	127	and safety to patients by reason of illness, inebriation,
128	128	excessive use of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, chemicals, or
129	129	other substances, or as a result of any physical or mental
130	130	condition.
131	131	(4)(9) PHYSICAL THERAPY. The treatment of a human being
132	132	by the use of exercise, massage, heat, cold, water, radiant
133	133	energy, electricity, or sound for the purpose of correcting or
134	134	alleviating any physical or mental condition or preventing the
135	135	development of any physical or mental disability, or the
136	136	performance of neuromuscular-skeletal tests and measurements
137	137	to determine the existence and extent of body malfunction;
138	138	provided, that physical therapy shall be practiced only upon
139	139	the referral of a physician licensed to practice medicine or
140	140	surgery, a dentist licensed to practice dentistry, a licensed
141	141	chiropractor, a licensed assistant to a physician acting
142	142	pursuant to a valid supervisory agreement, or a licensed
143	143	certified registered nurse practitioner in a collaborative
144	144	practice agreement with a licensed physician, except as
145	145	otherwise provided in this chapter. Physical therapy does not
146	146	include radiology or electrosurgery.
147	147	(5)(7) PHYSICAL THERAPIST. A person who practices
148	148	physical therapy.
149	149	(6)(11) PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSEE. A physical therapist
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179	179	or physical therapist assistant who is licensed under this
180	180	article.
181	181	(7)(12) PHYSIOTHERAPIST. Synonymous with the term
182	182	"physical therapist," and the term shall be used to identify
183	183	only those persons licensed under this article. The physical
184	184	therapist may use the letters "P.T." or "R.P.T." in connection
185	185	with his or her name or place of business to denote his or her
186	186	registration hereunder.
187	187	(8)(8) PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT. A person who
188	188	assists in the practice of physical therapy and whose
189	189	activities require an understanding of physical therapy but do
190	190	not require professional or advanced training in the
191	191	anatomical, biological, and physical sciences involved in the
192	192	practice of physical therapy. The physical therapist assistant
193	193	shall practice only under the direction of a licensed physical
194	194	therapist.
195	195	(9)(10) PHYSICAL THERAPY AIDE. A person trained under
196	196	the direction of a physical therapist who performs designated
197	197	and supervised routine tasks related to physical therapy
198	198	services.
199	199	(10)(13) RESTRICTED LICENSE.
200	200	a. For a physical therapist, a license on which the
201	201	board has placed restrictions or conditions, or both, as to
202	202	the scope of practice, place of practice, supervision of
203	203	practice, duration of licensed status, or type or condition of
204	204	patient to whom the physical therapist may provide services.
205	205	b. For a physical therapist assistant, a license on
206	206	which the board has placed any restriction.
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236	236	(b) Words importing the masculine gender shall include
237	237	the feminine."
238	238	"§34-24-193
239	239	(a) It shall be the duty of t The board to shall have
240	240	the following duties:
241	241	(1) To pass upon the qualifications of applicants for
242	242	licensing as physical therapists and licensing as or physical
243	243	therapist assistants ,.
244	244	(2) Toto conduct examinations ,.
245	245	(3) Toto issue licenses andand license renewals to
246	246	physical therapists and physical therapist assistants
247	247	qualifying under this article .
248	248	(4) Toand in a proper case to suspend or revoke as
249	249	necessary the license or compact privilege of such persons
250	250	individuals.
251	251	(b) The board mayshall adopt rules and regulations not
252	252	inconsistent with law as it may deem necessary for the
253	253	performance of its duties ;, however, the board shall not issue
254	254	adopt any rules or regulations that require a physical
255	255	therapist assistant to be within sight of a consulting
256	256	physical therapist or a physical therapist supervisor while
257	257	working under the direction of that physical therapist , or
258	258	issue adopt any rules, regulations, or issue any orders
259	259	inconsistent with Section 34-24-217(b). The board shall
260	260	maintain a listing of the name of every living physical
261	261	therapist and physical therapist assistant licensed or granted
262	262	a compact privilege in this state, his or her last known place
263	263	of business and last known place of residence, and the date
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293	293	and number of his or her license.
294	294	(c) The board shall compile a list of physical
295	295	therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed to
296	296	practice or granted a compact privilege in this state, and
297	297	such list shall be available to any person upon application to
298	298	the board and the payment of such chargea fee as may be fixed
299	299	by the board.
300	300	(d) The board may establish and collect a fee for the
301	301	issuance of a compact privilege.
302	302	(e) Subject to the provisions of Section 34-24-195, the
303	303	board shall have the power to may make such expenditures and
304	304	employ such personnel as it may deem necessary for the
305	305	administration of the provisions of this article.
306	306	(f) The board shall hire and establish the
307	307	responsibilities and salary of an executive director.
308	308	(b)(g) The board is hereby specifically authorized to
309	309	may establish and collect a fee for certifying to other boards
310	310	or entities that a licensee is a member in good standing with
311	311	the Alabama board.
312	312	(c)(h) The board may collect a fee from providers of
313	313	continuing education programs.
314	314	(d)(i) The board is hereby authorized to may discipline
315	315	its licensees and compact privilege holders by the adoption
316	316	and collection of administrative fines, not to exceed one
317	317	thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation, and it is further
318	318	authorized to may institute any legal proceedings necessary to
319	319	effect compliance with this chapter.
320	320	(e)(j)(1) The board shall provide for an impaired
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350	350	practitioner program beginning January 1, 2014.
351	351	(1)(2) The board shall promote the early
352	352	identification, intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation of
353	353	physical therapy licensees or compact privilege holders who
354	354	may be impaired by reason of illness, inebriation, excessive
355	355	use of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, chemicals, or other
356	356	substances, or as a result of any physical or mental
357	357	condition.
358	358	(2)(3) In order to carry out this obligation , the board
359	359	may contract with any nonprofit corporation or medical
360	360	professional association for the purpose of creating,
361	361	supporting, and maintaining a committee to be designated the
362	362	Alabama Physical Therapy Wellness Committee. The committee
363	363	shall be selected in a manner prescribed by the board. The
364	364	board may expend available funds as necessary to adequately
365	365	provide for the operational expenses of the committee
366	366	including, but not limited to, the actual cost of travel,
367	367	office overhead, and personnel expense. The funds provided by
368	368	the board for the purpose of operating expenses are not
369	369	subject to any provision of law requiring competitive bidding.
370	370	(3)(4) The board may enter into an agreement with a
371	371	nonprofit corporation or medical professional association for
372	372	the committee to undertake those functions and
373	373	responsibilities specified in the agreement, which may include
374	374	any or all of the following:
375	375	a. Contracting with providers of treatment programs.
376	376	b. Receiving and evaluating reports of suspected
377	377	impairment from any source.
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407	407	c. Intervening in cases of verified impairment.
408	408	d. Referring impaired physical therapy licensees or
409	409	compact privilege holders to treatment programs.
410	410	e. Monitoring the treatment and rehabilitation of
411	411	impaired physical therapy licensees or compact privilege
412	412	holders.
413	413	f. Providing post-treatment monitoring and support of
414	414	rehabilitated impaired physical therapy licensees or compact
415	415	privilege holders .
416	416	g. Performing other activities as agreed by the board
417	417	and the committee.
418	418	(4)(5) The committee shall develop procedures in
419	419	consultation with the board for all of the following:
420	420	a. Periodic reporting of statistical information
421	421	regarding impaired physical therapy licensee program activity.
422	422	b. Periodic disclosure and joint review of all
423	423	information the board deems appropriate regarding reports
424	424	received, contracts or investigations made, and the
425	425	disposition of each report. The committee may not disclose any
426	426	personally identifiable information except as otherwise
427	427	provided in this article.
428	428	(5)(6) Any individual appointed to serve as a member of
429	429	the committee and any auxiliary personnel, consultant,
430	430	attorney, or other volunteer or employee of the committee
431	431	taking any action authorized by this article, engaging in the
432	432	performance of any duties on behalf of the committee, or
433	433	participating in any administrative or judicial proceeding
434	434	resulting therefrom, in the performance and operation thereof,
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464	464	shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that
465	465	might otherwise be incurred or imposed. Any nonprofit
466	466	corporation or medical professional association or other
467	467	entity that contracts with or receives funds from the board
468	468	for the creation, support, and operation of the committee, in
469	469	so doing, shall be immune from any liability, civil or
470	470	criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.
471	471	(6)(7) All information, interviews, reports,
472	472	statements, memoranda, or other documents furnished to or
473	473	produced by the committee and any findings, conclusions,
474	474	recommendations, or reports resulting from any investigation,
475	475	intervention, treatment, or rehabilitation, or other
476	476	proceeding of the committee is privileged and confidential.
477	477	All records and proceedings of the committee pertaining to an
478	478	impaired physical therapy licensee or compact privilege holder
479	479	are confidential and shall be used by the committee and the
480	480	members of the committee only in the exercise of the proper
481	481	function of the committee and shall not be public record nor
482	482	available for court subpoena or for discovery proceedings. In
483	483	the event of a breach of contract between the committee and
484	484	the impaired physical therapy licensee or compact privilege
485	485	holder, all records pertaining to the conduct determined to
486	486	cause the breach of contract shall be disclosed to the board
487	487	upon its request for disciplinary purposes only. Nothing
488	488	contained in this subdivision shall apply to records made in
489	489	the regular course of business of a physical therapy licensee
490	490	and any information, document, or record otherwise available
491	491	from an original source is not to be construed as immune from
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521	521	discovery or use in any civil proceeding merely because it is
522	522	presented or considered during proceedings of the committee.
523	523	(7)(8) The committee shall render an annual report to
524	524	the board concerning the operations and proceedings of the
525	525	committee for the preceding year. The committee shall report
526	526	to the board any physical therapy licensee or compact
527	527	privilege holder who in the opinion of the committee is unable
528	528	to perform physical therapy duties with reasonable skill and
529	529	safety to patients by reason of illness, inebriation,
530	530	excessive use of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, chemicals, or
531	531	other substances, or as a result of any physical or mental
532	532	condition when it appears that the physical therapy licensee
533	533	or compact privilege holder is currently in need of
534	534	intervention, treatment, or rehabilitation and the licensee
535	535	individual has failed or refused to participate in any program
536	536	of treatment or rehabilitation recommended by the committee. A
537	537	report to the Alabama Physical Therapy Wellness Committee
538	538	shall be deemed a report to the board for the purposes of any
539	539	mandated reporting of physical therapy licensee impairment of
540	540	a licensee or compact privilege holder otherwise provided for
541	541	by law.
542	542	(8)(9) If the board has reasonable cause to believe
543	543	that a physical therapy licensee or compact privilege holder
544	544	is impaired, the board may cause an evaluation of the physical
545	545	therapy licensee that individual to be conducted by the
546	546	committee for the purpose of determining if there is an
547	547	impairment. The committee shall report the findings of its
548	548	evaluation to the board."
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578	578	"§34-24-194
579	579	(a) Any person may file a complaint with the board
580	580	against any licensed physical therapist , or licensed physical
581	581	therapist assistant , or compact privilege holder in the state
582	582	charging the person with a violation of this article. The
583	583	complaint shall set forth specifications of charges in
584	584	sufficient detail to disclose to the accused fully and
585	585	completely the alleged acts of misconduct for which he or she
586	586	is charged. When a complaint is filed, the executive director
587	587	of the board shall mail a copy thereof to the accused by
588	588	registered mail at his or her address of record, with a
589	589	written notice of the time and place of a hearing of the
590	590	complaint, advising the accused that he or she may be present
591	591	in person and by counsel if he or she so desires to offer
592	592	testimony and evidence in his or her defense.
593	593	(b) The board may issue subpoenas and compel the
594	594	attendance of any witness or the production of any book,
595	595	writing, or other documentation in the possession, custody, or
596	596	control of any person. Any person refusing to produce any
597	597	book, writing, or other documentation or to appear to testify,
598	598	without legal excuse, at a hearing of the board, after having
599	599	been served with a subpoena issued by the board requiring the
600	600	person to appear, produce any book, writing, or other form of
601	601	documentation or testify at the hearing, shall be guilty of
602	602	contempt. Upon certification of the act of contempt by the
603	603	board to the judge of the circuit court in whose jurisdiction
604	604	the hearing is held or is to be held, the judge shall punish
605	605	the contempt as though committed before the judge. The accused
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635	635	party shall, on application to the board, be furnished by the
636	636	board with a subpoena for any witness in his or her behalf or
637	637	for the production of any book, writing, or other
638	638	documentation to be used in his or her behalf at the hearing.
639	639	(c) At the hearing, the board shall receive evidence
640	640	upon the subject matter under consideration and shall accord
641	641	the accused person individual a full and fair opportunity to
642	642	be heard in his or her defense. The board shall not be bound
643	643	by strict or technical rules of evidence, but shall consider
644	644	all evidence fully and fairly except, that all oral testimony
645	645	considered by the board must be under oath. If the board is
646	646	convinced that the licensed physical therapist or the licensed
647	647	physical therapist assistant licensee or compact privilege
648	648	holder has violated this article, it may revoke his or her
649	649	license.
650	650	(d) The action of the board in revoking or refusing to
651	651	issue a license or compact privilege may be reviewed by the
652	652	Circuit Court of Montgomery County by a writ of mandamus,
653	653	accompanied by a bond to be approved by the court, to
654	654	determine whether the board acted arbitrarily, capriciously,
655	655	or illegally. The review procedure provided in this subsection
656	656	shall not suspend the action of the board in the revocation or
657	657	refusal of a license.
658	658	(e) The board may restrict a license or compact
659	659	privilege and may require the licensee a licensee or compact
660	660	privilege holder to report regularly to the board on matters
661	661	related to the reasons for the restricted license."
662	662	"§34-24-196
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692	692	(a) Each violation of Section 34-24-210 shall be
693	693	punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars
694	694	($100)$100 nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) $500, or
695	695	by imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor more than 90
696	696	days, or both.
697	697	(b) Any person individual who knowingly makes a false
698	698	statement in his or her application for registration or a
699	699	license or compact privilege under this article , or in
700	700	response to any inquiry by the board , shall be fined not less
701	701	than one hundred dollars ($100) $100 nor more than five hundred
702	702	dollars ($500)$500 or by imprisonment for not less than 30
703	703	days nor more than 90 days, or both."
704	704	"§34-24-210
705	705	(a) License or compact privilege required. No person
706	706	individual shall practice nor hold himself or herself out to
707	707	be able to practice physical therapy in this state unless he
708	708	or she is licensed or has been granted a compact privilege in
709	709	accordance with this article chapter.
710	710	(b) License or compact privilege required. No person
711	711	individual shall act nor hold himself or herself out as being
712	712	able to act as a physical therapist assistant unless he or she
713	713	is licensed or has been granted a compact privilege in
714	714	accordance with this article.
715	715	(c) Other healing arts not affected. Nothing in this
716	716	article shall prohibit any person individual licensed to
717	717	practice any other of the healing arts in this state under any
718	718	other law from engaging in the practice for which he or she is
719	719	licensed."
720	720	337
721	721	338
722	722	339
723	723	340
724	724	341
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749	749	"§34-24-210.1
750	750	(a) Without prescription or referral, a licensed
751	751	physical therapist or compact privilege holder may perform an
752	752	initial evaluation or consultation of a screening nature to
753	753	determine the need for physical therapy and may perform the
754	754	physical therapy and other services provided in subdivisions
755	755	(1) to (5), inclusive, of subsection (b)(1) through (5).
756	756	Implementation of physical therapy shall otherwise be based on
757	757	the referral of a person licensed to practice medicine,
758	758	surgery, dentistry, chiropractic, licensed assistant to a
759	759	physician acting pursuant to a valid supervising agreement, or
760	760	a licensed certified registered nurse practitioner in a valid
761	761	collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician.
762	762	(b) The physical therapy and other services referred to
763	763	in subsection (a), which may be performed without prescription
764	764	or referral, include and are limited to the following:
765	765	(1) To a child with a diagnosed developmental
766	766	disability pursuant to the plan of care for the child.
767	767	(2) To a patient of a home health care agency pursuant
768	768	to the plan of care for the patient.
769	769	(3) To a patient in a nursing home pursuant to the plan
770	770	of care for the patient.
771	771	(4) Related to conditioning or to providing education
772	772	or activities in a wellness setting for the purpose of injury
773	773	prevention, reduction of stress, or promotion of fitness.
774	774	(5) To an individual for a previously diagnosed
775	775	condition or conditions for which physical therapy services
776	776	are appropriate after informing the health care provider
777	777	365
778	778	366
779	779	367
780	780	368
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782	782	370
783	783	371
784	784	372
785	785	373
786	786	374
787	787	375
788	788	376
789	789	377
790	790	378
791	791	379
792	792	380
793	793	381
794	794	382
795	795	383
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797	797	385
798	798	386
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806	806	rendering the diagnosis. The diagnosis shall have been made
807	807	within the immediately preceding 90 days. The physical
808	808	therapist shall provide the health care provider who rendered
809	809	the diagnosis with a plan of care for physical therapy
810	810	services within the first 15 days of physical therapy
811	811	intervention."
812	812	"§34-24-211
813	813	(a) An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist
814	814	or for a license as a physical therapist assistant shall file
815	815	a written application on forms provided by the board together
816	816	with a fee as set by the board, no part of which shall be
817	817	returnedrefundable. The applicant shall present evidence
818	818	satisfactory to the board that he or she is of good moral
819	819	character and has completed a program of physical therapy
820	820	education appropriate for training a physical therapist or a
821	821	physical therapist assistant , as the case may be, approved by
822	822	the board or a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Each
823	823	applicant shall also be a citizen of the United States or, if
824	824	not a citizen of the United States, a person who is legally
825	825	present in the United States with appropriate documentation
826	826	from the federal government.
827	827	(b) On and after June 1, 2021, an applicant for
828	828	licensure as a physical therapist or a physical therapist
829	829	assistant shall submit to the board, on a form sworn to by the
830	830	applicant, his or her name, date of birth, Social Security
831	831	number, and two complete sets of fingerprints for completion
832	832	of a criminal history background check. The board shall submit
833	833	the fingerprints to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency
834	834	393
835	835	394
836	836	395
837	837	396
838	838	397
839	839	398
840	840	399
841	841	400
842	842	401
843	843	402
844	844	403
845	845	404
846	846	405
847	847	406
848	848	407
849	849	408
850	850	409
851	851	410
852	852	411
853	853	412
854	854	413
855	855	414
856	856	415
857	857	416
858	858	417
859	859	418
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863	863	for a state criminal history background check. The
864	864	fingerprints shall be forwarded by the agency to the Federal
865	865	Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history
866	866	background check. Costs associated with conducting a criminal
867	867	history background check shall be paid by the applicant."
868	868	"§34-24-212
869	869	(a) Generally. The board shall give an appropriate
870	870	physical therapy examination and a jurisprudence examination
871	871	to every applicant who complies with Section 34-24-211 and who
872	872	pays the fee prescribed for the examination. Examinations
873	873	shall be held within the state at least once each year, at
874	874	such times and places as the board determines. A practical or
875	875	demonstration examination may be required at the discretion of
876	876	the board when an applicant is retaking a written examination
877	877	after previously having failed such an examination.
878	878	(b) Physical therapist. The physical therapy
879	879	examination given applicants for licensure as a physical
880	880	therapist shall be a written examination , approved by the
881	881	board. Such examination shall to test the applicant's
882	882	knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences as they relate to
883	883	the practice of physical therapy, physical therapy theory and
884	884	procedures, and such other subjects as the board may deem
885	885	useful to test the applicant's fitness to practice physical
886	886	therapy. The board shall also administer a jurisprudence
887	887	examination to applicants for licensure as a physical
888	888	therapist, which shall be a written examination approved by
889	889	the board to test the applicant's knowledge of the laws and
890	890	rules of the State of Alabama as they relate to the practice
891	891	421
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893	893	423
894	894	424
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897	897	427
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900	900	430
901	901	431
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904	904	434
905	905	435
906	906	436
907	907	437
908	908	438
909	909	439
910	910	440
911	911	441
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913	913	443
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917	917	447
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919	919	Page 17
920	920	of physical therapy and such other subjects as the board may
921	921	deem useful to test the applicant's knowledge of applicable
922	922	law. A practical or demonstration examination may be required
923	923	if so determined by the board. The board, in its discretion,
924	924	may waive the requirement for a jurisprudence examination.
925	925	(c) Physical therapist assistant. The physical therapy
926	926	examination given applicants for licensure as physical
927	927	therapist assistant willshall be a written examination ,
928	928	approved by the board . Such examination shall to test the
929	929	applicant's knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences as
930	930	they relate to the practice of physical therapy, physical
931	931	therapy theory and procedures, and such other subjects as the
932	932	board may deem useful to test the applicant's fitness to act
933	933	as a physical therapist assistant. The board shall also
934	934	administer a jurisprudence examination to applicants for
935	935	licensure as a physical therapist assistant, which shall be a
936	936	written examination approved by the board to test the
937	937	applicant's knowledge of the laws and rules of the State of
938	938	Alabama as they relate to the practice of physical therapy and
939	939	such other subjects as the board may deem useful to test the
940	940	applicant's knowledge of applicable law. A practical or
941	941	demonstration examination may be required if so determined by
942	942	the board. The board, in its discretion, may waive the
943	943	requirement for a jurisprudence examination.
944	944	(d) Foreign educated physical therapist. Any foreign
945	945	educated physical therapist who plans to practice in the state
946	946	must have their educational credentials evaluated by a
947	947	recognized educational evaluation agency and have that agency
948	948	449
949	949	450
950	950	451
951	951	452
952	952	453
953	953	454
954	954	455
955	955	456
956	956	457
957	957	458
958	958	459
959	959	460
960	960	461
961	961	462
962	962	463
963	963	464
964	964	465
965	965	466
966	966	467
967	967	468
968	968	469
969	969	470
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971	971	472
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976	976	Page 18
977	977	send their report directly to the board. The board will shall
978	978	determine the acceptability of equivalency in educational
979	979	preparation. If the board rules determines the education to be
980	980	acceptable, the routine application process will be followed.
981	981	(e) Compact privilege applicants. Individuals
982	982	purchasing a compact privilege for the State of Alabama shall
983	983	pass the jurisprudence examination required of licensed
984	984	physical therapists of licensed physical therapist assistants
985	985	before the privilege is issued by the Commission.
986	986	(f) By January 1, 2024, the board shall adopt rules to
987	987	implement this chapter. "
988	988	"§34-24-213
989	989	The board shall issue a license to each applicant who
990	990	passes the appropriate examination for licensure as a physical
991	991	therapist or licensure as a physical therapist assistant in
992	992	accordance with standards fixed by it and who is not
993	993	disqualified to receive a license under the provisions of
994	994	Section 34-24-217."
995	995	"§34-24-214
996	996	On Upon payment to the board of a fee set by the board
997	997	and the submission of a written application on forms provided
998	998	by the board, the board shall issue a license without
999	999	examination to:
1000	1000	(1) A person An individual who is qualified within the
1001	1001	meaning of this article as a physical therapist by another
1002	1002	state of the United States of America, its possessions, or the
1003	1003	District of Columbia, if the requirements for licensing or
1004	1004	registration in such state, possession, or district were at
1005	1005	477
1006	1006	478
1007	1007	479
1008	1008	480
1009	1009	481
1010	1010	482
1011	1011	483
1012	1012	484
1013	1013	485
1014	1014	486
1015	1015	487
1016	1016	488
1017	1017	489
1018	1018	490
1019	1019	491
1020	1020	492
1021	1021	493
1022	1022	494
1023	1023	495
1024	1024	496
1025	1025	497
1026	1026	498
1027	1027	499
1028	1028	500
1029	1029	501
1030	1030	502
1031	1031	503
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1034	1034	the date of his or her licensing or registration by such that
1035	1035	state substantially equal to the requirement for the initial
1036	1036	licensing of persons individuals practicing physical therapy
1037	1037	when this article became effective, August 20, 1965, or for
1038	1038	licensing by examination prepared by the professional
1039	1039	examining service as set forth in thethis article and any
1040	1040	additional requirements prescribed by the board.
1041	1041	(2) A person An individual who is qualified within the
1042	1042	meaning of this article as a physical therapist assistant by
1043	1043	another state of the United States of America, its
1044	1044	possessions, or the District of Columbia, if the requirements
1045	1045	for licensing in such state, possession, or district were at
1046	1046	the date of his or her licensing by such that state
1047	1047	substantially equal to the requirements set forth in this
1048	1048	article."
1049	1049	"§34-24-217
1050	1050	(a) The board shall refuse to issue a license to any
1051	1051	person individual and, after notice and hearing in accordance
1052	1052	with its regulations and rules, shall suspend or revoke the
1053	1053	license or compact privilege of any person individual who has
1054	1054	done any of the following :
1055	1055	(1) Practiced physical therapy other than upon the
1056	1056	referral of a physician licensed to practice medicine or
1057	1057	surgery, a dentist licensed to practice dentistry, a licensed
1058	1058	chiropractor, a licensed assistant to a physician acting
1059	1059	pursuant to a valid supervisory agreement, or a licensed
1060	1060	certified registered nurse practitioner in a valid
1061	1061	collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician,
1062	1062	505
1063	1063	506
1064	1064	507
1065	1065	508
1066	1066	509
1067	1067	510
1068	1068	511
1069	1069	512
1070	1070	513
1071	1071	514
1072	1072	515
1073	1073	516
1074	1074	517
1075	1075	518
1076	1076	519
1077	1077	520
1078	1078	521
1079	1079	522
1080	1080	523
1081	1081	524
1082	1082	525
1083	1083	526
1084	1084	527
1085	1085	528
1086	1086	529
1087	1087	530
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1090	1090	Page 20
1091	1091	except as provided in Section 34-24-210.1, or practiced as a
1092	1092	physical therapist assistant other than under the direction of
1093	1093	a licensed physical therapist ;.
1094	1094	(2) Used drugs or intoxicating liquors alcoholic
1095	1095	beverages to an extent which affects his or her professional
1096	1096	competency;.
1097	1097	(3) Been convicted of a felony or of a crime involving
1098	1098	moral turpitude;.
1099	1099	(4) Obtained or attempted to obtain a license or
1100	1100	compact privilege by fraud or deception ;.
1101	1101	(5) Been grossly negligent in the practice of physical
1102	1102	therapy or in acting as a physical therapist assistant ;.
1103	1103	(6) Been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of
1104	1104	competent jurisdiction ;.
1105	1105	(7) Been guilty of conduct unbecoming a person licensed
1106	1106	as a physical therapist or licensed as a physical therapist
1107	1107	assistantlicensee or compact privilege holder or of conduct
1108	1108	detrimental to the best interest of the public ;.
1109	1109	(8) Been convicted of violating any state or federal
1110	1110	narcotic law;.
1111	1111	(9) Treated or undertaken to treat human ailments
1112	1112	otherwise than by physical therapy as defined in this
1113	1113	article;.
1114	1114	(10) Advertised unethically according to standards as
1115	1115	set by the board ; or.
1116	1116	(11) Failed or refused to obey any lawful order or
1117	1117	regulation of the board.
1118	1118	(b) For purposes of this article and notwithstanding
1119	1119	533
1120	1120	534
1121	1121	535
1122	1122	536
1123	1123	537
1124	1124	538
1125	1125	539
1126	1126	540
1127	1127	541
1128	1128	542
1129	1129	543
1130	1130	544
1131	1131	545
1132	1132	546
1133	1133	547
1134	1134	548
1135	1135	549
1136	1136	550
1137	1137	551
1138	1138	552
1139	1139	553
1140	1140	554
1141	1141	555
1142	1142	556
1143	1143	557
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1145	1145	559
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1148	1148	any other provision of this article or any rules or
1149	1149	regulations adopted by the board, any person licensedlicensee
1150	1150	or compact privilege holder under this article who has a bona
1151	1151	fide employment or independent contract with a physician, a
1152	1152	physician group, or an entity with which a physician has a
1153	1153	legal compensation arrangement, including fair market value
1154	1154	wages, compensation, benefits, or rents for services or
1155	1155	property provided, or in which a physician has a legal
1156	1156	financial interest, including any direct or indirect ownership
1157	1157	or investment interest, shall not be deemed to be engaged in
1158	1158	conduct unbecoming a person licensedlicensee or compact
1159	1159	privilege holder under this article, or to be engaged in
1160	1160	conduct detrimental to the best interest of the public, or to
1161	1161	be in violation of any other provision of this article by
1162	1162	virtue of any of the above relationships, and shall not be
1163	1163	subject to licensure or compact privilege denial, suspension,
1164	1164	revocation, or any other disciplinary action or penalty under
1165	1165	this article: (1) by virtue of such employment or contract, or
1166	1166	(2) by virtue of the provision of physical therapy services
1167	1167	pursuant to a referral from the employing or contracting
1168	1168	physician, or from a physician with a legal compensation
1169	1169	arrangement with or a legal financial interest in the
1170	1170	employing or contracting physician group."
1171	1171	Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first
1172	1172	day of the third month following its passage and approval by
1173	1173	the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
1174	1174	561
1175	1175	562
1176	1176	563
1177	1177	564
1178	1178	565
1179	1179	566
1180	1180	567
1181	1181	568
1182	1182	569
1183	1183	570
1184	1184	571
1185	1185	572
1186	1186	573
1187	1187	574
1188	1188	575
1189	1189	576
1190	1190	577
1191	1191	578
1192	1192	579
1193	1193	580
1194	1194	581
1195	1195	582
1196	1196	583
1197	1197	584
1198	1198	585
1199	1199	586