HB2149--PHYSICALTHERAPISTSANDPHYSICALTHERAPISTASSISTANTS SPONSOR: Shields Currently,anindividualapplyingtobelicensedasaphysical therapistmustprovideevidenceofcompletionofaprogramof physicaltherapyeducationapprovedasreputablebytheBoardof theHealingArts.Thisbillallowsfortheapplicanttoprovide evidenceofeligibilitytograduatefromsuchprogramwithin90 daysinlieuoftheevidenceofcompletionoftheprogram. Currently,anindividualapplyingtobelicensedasaphysical therapistassistantmustprovideacertificateofgraduationfrom anaccreditedhighschooloritsequivalentandevidenceof completionofanassociatedegreeprogramofphysicaltherapy educationaccreditedbytheAdvisoryCommissionforPhysical Therapists. Thisbillallowsfortheapplicanttoprovideevidence ofeligibilitytograduatefromsuchprogramwithin90daysinlieu oftheevidenceofcompletionoftheprogram. Applicantsmustpassanexaminationwithqualitystandard requirementsestablishedbytheBoardandanyentitycontractedby theBoardtoadministertheboard-approvedexaminations. Iftheapplicantfailstheexaminationsixormoretimes,heorshe isnolongereligibleforlicensure.