4755-23-08. Continuing education

Pursuant to sections 4755.51 and 4755.511 of the Revised Code, no person will qualify for license renewal as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant unless the person completed the required continuing education units outlined in paragraph (A) of this rule. A "unit" is one clock hour spent in a continuing education activity meeting the requirements established in section 4755.52 of the Revised Code.

(A) Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants must participate in continuing education activities that meet the requirements outlined in division (B) of section 4755.52 of the Revised Code.

(1) A physical therapist must complete a minimum of twenty-four units of continuing education activities within the two year renewal cycle. Effective for renewal in 2022, license holders must complete at least two hours of ethics through a renewal jurisprudence module as determined by the physical therapy section. The two hours earned through completion of the module must count as part of the total twenty-four hour requirement. A fee may be required to complete the module.

(2) A physical therapist assistant must complete a minimum of twelve units of continuing education activities within the two year renewal cycle. Effective for renewal in 2023, license holders must complete at least two hours of ethics through a renewal jurisprudence module as determined by the physical therapy section. The two hours earned through completion of the module must count as part of the total twelve hour requirement. A fee may be required to complete the module.

(B) Accumulated continuing education units may not be carried over from one renewal period to another.

(C) Pursuant to sections 4755.52 and 4755.53 of the Revised Code, the physical therapy section may contract with the Ohio physical therapy association (OPTA) to assist the section with the performing of its continuing education duties. The OPTA must accept, review, approve, or deny proposals for professional workshops, seminars, and/or conferences for continuing education units or for other continuing education activities reported by physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who qualify under section 4755.53 of the Revised Code. The OPTA must perform any other duties agreed upon by the section and the OPTA necessary for the approval, maintenance, and/or reporting of continuing education activities for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

(D) A license shall not be renewed unless the license holder meets the requirements of paragraph (A) of this rule. Unless qualified under paragraph (G) of this rule, completed continuing education activities must have a current Ohio approval number.

(E) The physical therapy section must conduct an audit of the continuing education records of a number of the license holders to be determined by the section each renewal year. The section will notify license holders who are selected for the audit to determine compliance with the continuing education requirement specified in this rule.

(1) License holders chosen for the audit must submit to the board by the date specified by the board copies of all records and documentation of proof of completion of the continuing education activities used to meet the continuing education requirements of this rule.

(2) Failure to provide proof of the required number of continuing education hours for the specified time period will result in the commencement of disciplinary action.

(3) Failure to respond to or acknowledge receipt of an audit notice will result in the commencement of disciplinary action.

(F) A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant license must not be renewed unless the license holder certifies that the person completed the required number of continuing education hours specified in paragraph (A) of this rule.

A license holder who falsifies a renewal application may be disciplined by the physical therapy section for violating section 4755.48 of the Revised Code.

(G) Completion of academic coursework, clinical instruction, mentoring, residencies, fellowships, and volunteer work for continuing education credit.

(1) Passing the following specialty examinations will qualify for twenty-four contact hours of continuing education in the year the examination is taken:

(a) Specialty examinations administered by the American board of physical therapy specialties (ABPTS).

(b) The hand therapy certification commission (HTCC) certification examination.

(2) Renewal of certification of a specialty through ABPTS will qualify for six contact hours of continuing education in the year it is given.

(3) The successful completion of an American physical therapy association credentialed residency or fellowship program will qualify for twenty-four contact hours of continuing education in the year the residency or fellowship is completed.

(4) Coursework completed at a commission on accreditation in physical therapy education accredited entry-level physical therapist education program or a postprofessional transition clinical doctorate program is eligible for continuing education credit.

(5) Serving as a clinical instructor will qualify for one contact hour for each eighty hours of clinical instruction.

(a) To be eligible for continuing education credit in accordance with this paragraph, a physical therapist must be an APTA certified level I or level II clinical instructor and a physical therapist assistant must be an APTA certified level I clinical instructor.

(b) A physical therapist may earn up to twelve contact hours per renewal cycle by serving as a clinical instructor.

(c) A physical therapist assistant may earn up to six contact hours per renewal cycle by serving as a clinical instructor.

(d) Proof of clinical instruction is a certificate from the student's school .

(6) Serving as a mentor in an APTA accredited clinical residency or fellowship program will qualify for one contact hour for each three hours of mentorship.

(a) To be eligible for continuing education credit in accordance with this paragraph, a physical therapist must meet one of the following criteria:

(i) Currently certified as an APTA certified level I or level II clinical instructor; or

(ii) Currently hold a specialty certification issued by the ABPTS or by the HTCC.

(b) A physical therapist may earn up to twelve contact hours per renewal cycle by serving as a mentor.

(c) Proof of mentorship is a certificate from the director of the clinical residency or fellowship documenting the number of hours of mentorship completed.

(7) Volunteer services to indigent and uninsured persons pursuant to section 4745.04 of the Revised Code. To qualify under this rule, volunteer services must:

(a) Be provided at a free clinic or other non-profit organization that offers health care services based on eligibility screenings identifying the client as an "indigent and uninsured person" as that term is defined in division (A)(7) of section 2305.234 of the Revised Code.

(b) Be documented in writing in the form of a certificate or a written statement on letterhead from an administrative official at the organization where services were rendered, specifying at a minimum the license holder's name, license number, date(s) of qualifying volunteer services, number of hours of services, and describing the services that were rendered.

(c) Include the submission of a written statement by the license holder explaining how the volunteer services have contributed to the license holder's professional competency.

(d) Not be credited for license holders in a paid position at the organization at which the services are rendered.

(e) Not be credited for license holders who are also using the hours toward educational and academic pursuits.

(f) Be physical therapy or physical therapist assistant services provided in compliance with the Revised Code and the Administrative Code.

(g) Be credited as one hour of CE for each sixty minutes spent providing services as a volunteer, not to exceed six hours for physical therapists and three hours for physical therapist assistants of the total biennial CE requirement.

(8) Completion of a renewal jurisprudence module will qualify for two contact hours.

(9) Continuing education activities identified in paragraph (G) of this rule do not require an Ohio approval number. Continuing education will be granted in the reporting period in which the academic coursework, clinical instruction, mentoring, residency, volunteer work or fellowship is completed.

Effective: 7/13/2020
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 4/27/2020 and 04/01/2025
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4755.02
Rule Amplifies: 4755.46, 4755.47, 4755.51, 4755.511, 4755.52
Prior Effective Dates: 02/01/1991, 02/01/1993, 07/15/1995, 03/20/1998, 09/12/2001, 05/01/2005, 05/01/2006, 05/01/2007, 03/20/2008, 05/01/2009, 05/01/2011, 05/16/2019