DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 305 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Johnson
Abstract: Authorizes the La. Physical Therapy Board to license foreign graduates and military-
trained applicants and charge a fee for reviewing continuing education programs.
Proposed law provides that any result of displacing competition by restricting licensure to practice
physical therapy, as such practice is defined and interpreted by the La. Physical Therapy Board
(board), to applicants determined by the board to be qualified to practice physical therapy is
outweighed by the state's broader interest in the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.
Proposed law requires active state oversight and supervision of the board to be conducted through
all of the following means:
(1)Legislative enactment of the La. Physical Therapy Practice Act.
(2)Appointment and removal of board members by the governor.
(3)Application of the Code of Governmental Ethics.
(4)Adoption of rules pursuant to the APA.
(5)Mandatory board member training.
(6)Judicial review where applicable.
Present law authorizes a graduate of a foreign school of physical therapy to qualify for a license as
a physical therapist upon meeting the requirements for licensure as a physical therapist as well as
complying with additional provisions.
Proposed law retains present law but changes the additional requirements to all of the following:
(1)Provides satisfactory evidence of successful completion of a foreign physical therapy
education curriculum that is substantially equivalent to the requirements for physical
therapists educated in accredited physical therapy schools located within the U.S.
(2)Provides indisputable proof of identity as specified by the board.
(3)Provides documentation satisfactory to the board of verification of all professional or trade licenses, certifications, and permits, past or present, held in any country, province, or state,
including the U.S., as required by the board.
(4)Achieves a passing score on a board-approved English proficiency examination if the
applicant's native language is not English.
(5)Completes supervised clinical practice requirements as defined by board rule.
(6)Meets all additional requirements established by board rule.
Proposed law authorizes a graduate of a foreign school of physical therapy assisting to qualify for
a license as a physical therapy assistant upon meeting the requirements for licensure as a physical
therapist assistant as well as complying with all of the following provisions:
(1)Provides satisfactory evidence of successful completion of a foreign physical therapy
assistant education curriculum that is substantially equivalent to the requirements for
physical therapy assistants educated in accredited physical therapy schools located within the
U.S.
(2)Provides indisputable proof of identity as specified by the board.
(3)Provides documentation satisfactory to the board of verification of all professional or trade
licenses, certifications, and permits, past or present, held in any country, province, or state,
including the U.S., as required by the board.
(4)Achieves a passing score on board-approved English proficiency examinations if the
applicant's native language is not English.
(5)Completes supervised clinical practice requirements as defined by board rule.
(6)Meets all additional requirements established by board rule.
Proposed law authorizes an applicant who has completed a U.S. armed services program of training
not accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the board to qualify for a license as
a physical therapy assistant upon meeting the requirements for licensure as a physical therapist
assistant as well as complying with both of the following provisions:
(1)Provides satisfactory evidence of successful completion of a U.S. armed services program
of training that is substantially equivalent to the requirements for physical therapist assistants
educated in an accredited entry-level program as determined by the board.
(2) Meets all additional requirements established by board rule.
Present law authorizes the board to charge certain fees and sets a maximum amount for each fee. Proposed law retains present law and further authorizes an annual continuing education review fee
not to exceed $250.
(Amends R.S. 37:2410; Adds R.S. 37:2402(C), 2411.1, 2411.2, and 2424(C)(7))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill:
1. Clarify that the continuing education review fee is an annual fee.
2. Delete the proposed course sponsor fee.