201 KAR 22:045. Continued competency requirements and procedures.
RELATES TO: KRS 327.010(1), (2), 327.070
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 327.040(10)
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 327.040(10) authorizes the board to promulgate administrative regulations establishing a measure of continued competency as a condition of license renewal. This administrative regulation establishes continued competency requirements and procedures.
Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Contact hour" means the number of hours spent participating in an activity.
(2) "Continued competency" means a planned learning experience relating to the scope of physical therapy practice in KRS 327.010(1), whether the subject is intervention, examination, research, documentation, education, or management of health care delivery systems.
(3) "Practice in the field of physical therapy" means direct patient care, management of patient care, research, or teaching in a physical therapy educational program.
Section 2. (1) A credential holder applying for renewal shall have completed the continued competency requirements established in subsections (2) and (3) of this section during the preceding renewal period. Continued competency shall be based on contact hours awarded.
(a) For a physical therapist, the board shall require thirty (30) contact hours as a condition of licensure renewal. These hours shall be obtained as follows:
1. Two (2) hours shall be awarded for the successful completion of an open book tutorial provided by the board on current physical therapy laws and administrative regulations per biennium;
2. At least eighteen (18) hours shall be earned from Category 1 described in subsection (2) of this section; and
3. No more than ten (10) hours may be earned from Category 2 described in subsection (3) of this section.
(b) For a Physical Therapist Assistant, the board shall require twenty (20) contact hours as a condition of renewal. These hours shall be obtained as follows:
1. Two (2) hours shall be awarded for the successful completion of an open book tutorial provided by the board on current physical therapy laws and administrative regulations per biennium;
2. At least ten (10) hours shall be earned from Category 1 described in subsection (2) of this section; and
3. No more than eight (8) hours may be earned from Category 2 described in subsection (3) of this section.
(2) Category 1 continued competency shall be any of the following:
(a) Completion of courses, seminars, workshops, symposia or home study courses consisting of at least three (3) contact hours that have been approved by board, the board's designee, APTA or its components, or any other physical therapy licensing agency;
(b) Completion or auditing of an accredited postsecondary educational institution credit course.
1. Twelve (12) contact hours shall be awarded for each semester credit hour completed; and
2. Eight (8) contact hours shall be awarded for each quarter credit hour completed;
(c) Presentation of continuing education courses, workshops, seminars, or symposia that have been approved by KSBPT or its designee;
(d) Authorship of a presented scientific poster, scientific platform presentation or published article undergoing peer review, but not more than ten (10) contact hours per event with a maximum of two (2) events per biennium;
(e) Teaching part of a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant credit course if that teaching is not the primary employment of the credential holder, but not more than twenty (20) contact hours per biennium;
(f) Certification or recertification of clinical specialization within the scope of physical therapy practice. Twenty-eight (28) contact hours shall be awarded per biennium;
(g) Completion of a clinical residency program, but not more than five (5) contact hours for each week of residency with a maximum of twenty-eight (28) contact hours per program per biennium;
(h) Engaging in the practice of physical therapy as defined by KRS 327.010(2) at least 1000 hours per biennium. Five (5) contact hours shall be awarded per biennium;
(i) Appointment to the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy. Four (4) contact hours shall be awarded per biennium;
(j) Election or appointment to a position of the KPTA, APTA or Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) as an officer or committee chair. Four (4) contact hours shall be awarded per biennium; or
(k) Member of a committee or task force for one (1) of the organizations in Section 2(2) paragraph (i) or (j) of this administrative regulation. One (1) contact hour shall be awarded per biennium.
(3) Category 2 continued competency shall be any of the following:
(a) Self-instruction from reading professional literature. One (1) contact hour shall be awarded per biennium;
(b) Attendance at a scientific poster session, lecture, panel or symposium. One (1) contact hour for each hour of activity. A maximum of two (2) contact hours shall be awarded per biennium;
(c) Clinical instructor for a CAPTE approved educational program. Continued competency shall be one (1) contact hour per sixteen (16) hours of student supervision;
(d) Participation in a physical therapy inservice or study group consisting of two (2) or more physical therapists or physical therapist assistants. A maximum of two (2) contact hours shall be awarded per biennium;
(e) Participation in community service related to health care. A maximum of two (2) contact hours Continued competency shall be awarded for two (2) hours per biennium; or
(f) Member of the APTA. One (1) contact hour shall be awarded per year and a maximum of two (2) contact hours per biennium;
(4) Documentation of compliance.
(a) Each licensee shall retain independently verifiable documentation of completion of all continued competency requirements of this administrative regulation for a period of three (3) years from the end of the biennium;
(b) The licensee shall, within thirty (30) days of a written request from the board, provide evidence of continued competency activities satisfactory to the board; and
(c) Any licensee who fails to provide evidence of the continued competency activities or who falsely certifies completion of continued competency activities may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS 327.070.
(5) Exemption and extension.
(a) A licensee may be granted a temporary hardship exemption for an extension of time, not to exceed one (1) renewal cycle, if the licensee:
1. FIles a completed Extension of Time for Completion of Continuing Competency Form; and
2. Submits documentation showing evidence of undue hardship by reason of the licensee’s:
a. Age
b. Disability
c. Medical condition;
d. Financial condition; or
e. Other clearly mitigating circumstance.
(b) A licensee may be granted a temporary nonhardship extension of time if the licensee cannot show undue hardship and if the licensee:
1. Files a completed Extension of Time for Completion of Continuing Competency Form by March 31 of the odd-numbered year in the renewal cycle for which the extension is sought;
2. Pays a fee of $250;
3. Has not received a temporary nonhardship extension of time in the prior renewal cycle; and
4. Files proof of compliance with the continuing competency requirements by the following July 1.
Section 3. Incorporation by Reference. (1) "Extension of Time for Completion of Continued Competency Form", 12/07, is incorporated by reference.
(2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable law, at the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy, 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 102, Louisville, Ky 40222, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (31 Ky.R. 890; Am. 1064; eff. 1-4-2005; 1437; eff. 4-22-05; 32 Ky.R. 2069; 33 Ky.R. 384; eff. 9-1-06; 34 Ky.R. 1105; 1710; eff. 2-1-2008.)