CHAPTER Phy 300 REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL LICENSURE
REVISION NOTE:
Document
#12864, effective 9-10-19, adopted readopted, repealed, or readopted with most
of the rules in Chapter Phy 300. Document #12864 repealed the following rules,
which required extensive renumbering of other existing rules within Parts Phy 303, Phy 304, and Phy 307. The source
notes for the rules in those Parts identify the former rule number, if
applicable:
Phy 303.03 Effect
of Signature
Phy 303.04 The
Board’s Processing of Applications to take the National Physical Therapy
Examination
Phy 303.06 The
Board’s Processing of Requests to Re-Take the National Physical Therapy
Examination for the Fourth Time
Phy 304.02
Multipart License Application Form
Phy 304.03 Effect
of Notarized Signature
Phy 307.02
Issuance of Full Licenses to Conditional Licensees
Phy 307.05
Supervision Form
Only
existing Part Phy 308 titled “Physical Therapy
Compact” was not included in Document #12864 but remained effective. The former Phy
304.05 titled “Letters of Reference” had been adopted by Document #9233,
effective 8-22-08, and had already been repealed by Document #10401, effective
8-23-13, and so was not included in Document #12864. Document #12864 adopted Phy
307.11 titled “Issuance of Full Licenses to Conditional Licensees” and a new
Part Phy 309 titled “Temporary Licenses”.
Document
#12864 therefore replaced all prior filings affecting rules in the former Part Phy 301 through Part Phy
307. The prior filings affecting the
repealed rules in Parts Phy 303, Phy
304, and Phy 307 included the following documents:
Phy 303.03, Phy 303.04, Phy 304.03, Phy 307.02, and Phy 307.05
#10933,
effective 9-18-15
Phy 303.06
#9430, effective 3-19-09
#9653, effective 2-5-10
#12087, effective 1-20-17
Phy 304.02
#9233, effective 8-22-08
#10060, effective 12-23-11
#10041, effective 8-23-13
#10933, effective 9-18-15
PART Phy 301 SCOPE
Phy
301.01 Scope.
(a)
This chapter shall apply to individuals intending to practice as
physical therapists except those made exempt from licensure by RSA 328-A:8, II.
(b)
This chapter shall apply to individuals intending to practice as
physical therapist assistants except those made exempt from licensure by RSA
328-A:8, III.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
PART Phy
302
DEFINITIONS
Phy 302.01 “American
Physical Therapy Association (APTA)” means a national professional organization
with the goal to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research,
and education, or its successor.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
(formerly Phy 302.02)
Phy 302.02
“Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)”
means the component of the American Physical Therapy Association that
establishes the core requirements for physical therapy education and accredits
programs of physical therapy education, or its successor.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
(formerly Phy 302.03)
Phy 302.03
“Continuing competency” means, in the one year prior to filing an application for
initial license, the applicant has completed a minimum of 24 hours of activity to include any of the
following :
(a)
Receipt of academic instruction in physical therapy, as further
described in Phy 406.02;
(b)
Non-academic courses, seminars, conferences, and workshops, as further
described in Phy 406.03;
(c)
Facility-based physical therapy in-service training, as further
described in Phy 406.04;
(d)
Formal mentored independent study, as further described in Phy 406.05;
(e)
Publication of writing related to physical therapy, as further described
in Phy 406.08;
(f)
Professional presentations relating to physical therapy made to other
professionals or the public, as further described in Phy
406.09;
(g)
Participation in a physical therapy research project, as further
described in Phy 406.10;
(h)
Participation in the work of professional boards, committees, and
agencies, as further described in Phy 406.11;
(i) Receipt of infection control education, basic
life support courses, facility onboarding, orientation, HIPPA training, and
annual training, as further described in Phy 406.13;
(j)
Journal study, as further described in Phy
406.14;
(k)
Teaching physical therapy, as further described in Phy
406.12; and
(l)
New Hampshire jurisprudence assessment module described in Phy 406.15.
Phy 302.04 “Direct personal supervision” means, pursuant
to RSA 328-A:2, III, namely, “that the physical therapist or the physical therapist
assistant is physically present and immediately available to direct and
supervise tasks that are related to patient/client management. The direction and
supervision is continuous throughout the time these
tasks are performed. Telecommunications does not meet
the requirement of direct personal supervision.”
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 302.05 “Direct
supervision” means “direct supervision” as defined in RSA 328-A:2, IV, namely “that the
physical therapist is physically present and immediately available for
direction and supervision. The physical
therapist will have direct contact with the patient/client during each visit
that is defined as all encounters with a patient/client in a 24-hour
period. Telecommunications does not meet the requirement of direct supervision.”
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 302.06
“Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)” means the
entity that develops the national examination for physical therapists and
physical therapist assistants, or its successor.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 302.07 “Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical
Therapy (FCCPT)” means a non-profit organization or its successor, created to assist
federal immigration authorities and physical therapy licensing bodies by
evaluating the credentials of foreign educated physical therapists to determine
whether they have acquired educational credentials equivalent to those required
of physical therapists educated in the United States.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 302.08 “General supervision” means “general
supervision” as defined in RSA 328-A:2, V, namely, “that the physical therapist
is not required to be on-site for direction and supervision, but must be
available at least by telecommunications.”
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 302.09 “Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL-IBT)” means a version of TOEFL which is taken on-line at
designated test centers.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 302.10 “National
Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants” means the
examination developed by the FSBPT to
test entry-level competence for physical therapist assistants, or its
successor.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 302.11 “National
Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapists” means the examination
developed by the FSBPT to test entry-level competence
for physical therapists, or its successor.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 302.12 “Practice of physical therapy” means
“practice of physical therapy” as defined in RSA 328-A:2, XI, namely,
“(a)
Testing, examining, and evaluating impairments, movement dysfunctions,
and disabilities or other health and movement-related conditions in order to determine a diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of
intervention, and to assess the outcomes of intervention.
(b)
Alleviating impairments, movement dysfunctions, and disabilities by
designing and implementing, and modifying interventions that include, but are
not limited to therapeutic exercise; training related to movement dysfunctions
in self-care and in home, community or work integration or reintegration;
manual therapy including soft tissue and joint mobilization; therapeutic
massage; assistive and adaptive orthotic, prosthetic, protective and supportive
devices and equipment related to movement dysfunctions; airway clearance
techniques; integumentary protection, and repair techniques; debridement and
wound care; physical agents or modalities; mechanical and electrotherapeutic
modalities; and patient-related instruction.
(c)
Reducing the risk of injury, impairment, movement dysfunctions, and
disability, including the promotion and maintenance of health, wellness, and
fitness in populations of all ages.
(d)
Engaging in administration, consultation, education, and research.”
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 302.13 “Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)” means a test developed by the
Educational Testing Service to measure the ability of non-native speakers of
English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written, and heard in
college and university settings.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
PART Phy
303
EXAMINATION, APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND THE BOARD'S PROCESSING OF
APPLICATIONS
Phy 303.01 Method of Applying for the National
Physical Therapy Examination. Those
seeking to apply for initial licensure as a physical therapist or physical
therapist assistant in New Hampshire shall register directly with the testing
organization, as required by Plc 303.03 to take the national physical therapy
examination for physical therapists or the national physical therapy
examination for physical therapist assistants, as applicable.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 303.02 Request for Reasonable Accommodation for
Disability in the Administration of the National Physical Therapy Examination. Applicants seeking reasonable accommodations
for disabilities in the administration of the national physical therapy
examination shall do so through the FSBPT.
Source. #9369, eff 1-24-09; ss by #9545, eff 9-19-09;
ss by #12087, eff 1-20-17; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff
6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 303.03 Re-Taking the National Physical Therapy
Examination. Individuals seeking to
retake the national physical therapy or physical therapy assistant examination
shall register
through the FSBPT.
Source. #9430, eff 3-19-09; ss by #9653, eff 2-5-10;
ss by #12087, eff 1-20-17 (formerly Phy 303.05); ss
by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 303.04 Jurisprudence
Assessment Module.
(a)
Each applicant for initial licensure or reinstatement of licensure to
practice as a physical therapist shall be examined on the contents of RSA 328-A
, Phy 100 through Phy 500,
and the APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist.
(b)
Each applicant for initial licensure or reinstatement of licensure to
practice as a physical therapist assistant shall be examined on the contents of
RSA 328-A, Phy 100 through Phy
500, and the APTA Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist
Assistant.
(c)
The jurisprudence assessment module shall be:
(1) Developed and administered by the FSBPT and
available at
https://www.fsbpt.org/OurServices/JurisprudenceAssessmentModule(JAM)Services/NewHampshire.aspx;
(2) Open book;
(3) Available on a secure website; and
(4) Taken individually without consulting others.
(d)
An individual shall achieve a passing score of at least 80 percent.
(e)
An individual who fails the jurisprudence assessment module may re-take
the module as many times as it takes the individual to pass the module.
Source. #9869, eff 2-18-11; ss by #10724, eff
11-22-14; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19 (formerly Phy
303.07); ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
PART Phy
304 INITIAL LICENSURE APPLICATION
PROCEDURES
Phy 304.01 Method of Applying for Initial Licensure. Applicants who wish, after passing the
applicable national physical therapy examination, to apply for initial
licensure as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant shall do so
by completing and submitting:
(a)
The “Universal Application for Initial License” required by Plc
304.01, by providing the information
specified by Plc 304.03;
(b)
The additional information and documentation specified by Plc 304.04;
(c)
The criminal history records check required by RSA 328-F:18-a; and
(d)
The initial license fee required by Plc 1002.39.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08 ss by #10724, eff
11-22-14; ss by #10933, eff 9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563,
eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 304.02 Materials
Required to Accompany the License Application Form. At the time that applicants for initial licensure submit their completed license
application form, they shall submit the “Addendum to the Universal Application
for Initial License - Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants” revised
4/2026, mark
the box for the license type the applicant is applying for, either “Physical Therapist” or “Physical Therapy
Assistant”, and attest that:
(a)
If the applicant is required by Phy 306.04 to
take and pass a test of English language proficiency, the applicant’s
examination scores have been sent directly to the office of professional
licensure and certification (OPLC) by the Educational Testing Service;
(b)
The applicant’s examination scores have been sent directly to the OPLC
by FSBPT; and
(c)
The passing scores on the jurisprudence assessment module have been sent
directly to the OPLC by the FSBPT.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #9429, eff 3-19-09;
ss by #9653, eff 2-5-10; ss by #9869, eff 2-18-11; ss by #10060, eff 12-23-11;
ss by #10401, eff 8-23-13; ss by #10724, eff 11-22-14; ss by #12864, eff
9-10-19 (formerly Phy 304.04); ss by #14563, eff
6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
REVISION NOTE:
Document #14563, effective
6-20-26, repealed Part Phy 305.02 through Phy 305.05 in Chapter Phy 300,
titled “Issuance
of Full Initial Licenses”, “Issuance of Conditional Licenses”, “Demonstration
of Continuing Competence by Those Applying 12 or More Months After Passing the
Examination”, and “Demonstration of Continuing Competence by Those Applying for
Initial Licensure 12 or More Months After Passing the Applicable National
Examination When Not Active in the Profession”.
Document #14563, effective
6-20-26, repealed Part Phy 309.02 through Phy 309.04 in Chapter Phy 300,
titled “Restriction
on Temporary Licenses”, “Basic Eligibility Requirements for Temporary
Licenses”, and “Issuance and Expiration of Temporary Licenses”.
PART Phy
305 QUALIFICATIONS FOR INITIAL LICENSURE
Phy 305.01 Eligibility
Requirements for Initial Licensure.
(a)
Applicants for initial licensure as physical therapists or physical
therapist assistants shall:
(1) Be of good moral character as evidenced by:
a. The answers to the questions on the
application form described in Phy 304.01(a);
b. Any reports submitted pursuant to the
requirements of the application form described in Phy
304.01(b);
c. Any information about the applicant’s
licenses or other authorizations to practice physical therapy; and
d. The criminal history record reports required
by RSA 328-F:18-a.
(2) If applicable, have met the English language
proficiency testing requirement of Phy 306.04;
(3) Have taken and passed the national physical
therapy examination for physical therapists or the national physical therapy
examination for physical therapist assistants, as applicable; and
(4) Have taken and passed the jurisprudence
assessment module as described in Phy 303.04; and
(5) Have met the continuing competency
requirements as defined in Phy 302.03.
(b)
Pursuant to RSA 332-G:7, the board shall consider military experience
applicable to the education of physical therapists or physical therapist
assistants when determining whether an applicant meets the educational or
experience requirements for licensure.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #9429, eff 3-19-09; ss by
#9869, eff 2-18-11; ss by #10401, eff 8-23-13; ss by #10724, eff 11-22-14; amd by #10933, eff 9-18-15; ss by #12087, eff 1-20-17; ss
by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
PART Phy 306 EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL
LICENSURE
Phy 306.01 Educational
Requirements for Applicants for Initial Licensure. Applicants for initial licensure as physical
therapists and physical therapist assistants shall be graduates of a physical
therapy education program:
(a)
Approved by CAPTE;
(b)
Approved by APTA during the period from 1955 through 1977;
(c)
Approved before 1955 by The Council on Medical Education and Hospitals
of the American Medical Association; or
(d)
Meeting the standards set forth in Phy 306.02
if the physical therapy education program was outside the United States and
does not meet any of the standards in (a) through (c) above.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by
#14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 306.02 Educational Requirements for Applicants
Educated in Physical Therapy Outside of the United States. Applicants for initial licensure as physical
therapists or
physical therapy assistants who have been educated outside of the United
States shall
submit with the application an evaluation of the applicant’s credentials by the
Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT), available at https://www.fccpt.org/ as required by Plc 303.03(b).
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08; ss by #10933, eff
9-18-15; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
Phy 306.03 English Language
Proficiency Testing Requirement.
(a)
Applicants for initial licensure as physical therapists and physical
therapist assistants whose native language is not English and have been
educated outside the United States in programs not approved by CAPTE shall have
taken and passed one of the tests of English language proficiency described in
(b) and (c) below by registering directly with the testing organization as
required by Plc 303.06.
(b)
Applicants having taken a test of English language proficiency before
December 31, 2005, shall have passed the following subtests of TOEFL with the
following scores:
(1) The test of English as a foreign language
with a score of 560;
(2) The test of written English with a score of
4.5; and
(3) The test of spoken English with a score of
50.
(c)
Applicants who have taken a test of English language proficiency after
January 1, 2006 shall pass or have passed TOEFL-IBT:
(1) With an overall score of 89; and
(2) With the following subtest scores:
a. Writing with a score of 22;
b. Speaking with a score of 24;
c. Reading comprehension with a score of 22; and
d. Listening comprehension with a score of 21.
Source. #9233, eff 8-22-08 (from Phy
306.03); ss by #10202, eff 10-19-12; ss by #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563,
eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36 (formerly Phy 306.04)
PART Phy
307 PHYSICAL THERAPY COMPACT
Phy 307.01 Physical Therapy
Compact. The board shall comply with
all rules of the Physical Therapy Compact Commission, which includes the
“Physical Therapy Compact Commission Rules”, effective June 17, 2024, and
available as noted in Appendix II.
Source. #12696, eff 12-27-18; ss by #14563, eff
6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36 (formerly Phy 308.01)
PART Phy
308 TEMPORARY LICENSES
Phy 308.01
Temporary Licenses for Health Care Professionals.
(a)
Any individual who has an active, unencumbered license in good standing
in another U.S. jurisdiction not covered by Plc 313.47, and who wishes to
practice the profession in New Hampshire and has applied for or is applying for
a regular license pursuant to Plc 304 shall provide the information, signature,
and attestation required pursuant to Plc 305.03, Plc 305.04,
and Plc 305.05.
(b)
Applications for temporary licensure shall be processed as required by
Plc 305.06.
(c)
A temporary license issued
pursuant to Plc 305.06 shall remain valid as stated in Plc 305.07.
Source. #12864, eff 9-10-19; ss by #14563, eff
6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36 (formerly Phy 309.01)
Phy 308.02 Temporary
Licensure for Military Service Members and Spouses. Individuals on active military duty and
military spouses may seek a temporary license under Plc 305 or Plc 306.
Source. #14563, eff 6-20-26, EXPIRES: 6-20-36
APPENDIX I
|
Rule |
Statute |
|
|
|
|
Phy 301 |
RSA 541-A:7; RSA 328-A:8, II and III |
|
Phy 301.01 |
RSA 328-A:3, I; RSA 328-A:4, III; RSA 328-A:5, I(d)
and (h); RSA 328-F:11, I(f) and (g) |
|
Phy 302 |
RSA 541-A:7 |
|
Phy 303.01 |
RSA 328-A:3, I; RSA 328-A:5, I(d), II (h) &
IV(d); RSA 328-A:7, I and III; RSA 541-A:16, I(d) |
|
Phy
303.02 |
RSA
328-A:3, I; RSA 328-A:5, I(d), II(h) and IV(d); RSA 328-A:7, II and III; RSA
541-A:16, I(b) |
|
Phy 303.03 |
RSA 541-A:7 |
|
Phy 303.04 |
RSA 541-A:16, I(b) |
|
Phy
303.05 |
RSA
328-A:7, IV |
|
Phy
303.06 |
RSA
328-A:7, IV |
|
Phy 303.07 |
RSA 328-F:11, I(a); RSA 328-A:3, I & IV; RSA
328-A:4, III |
|
Phy 304.01 |
RSA 328-F:5, I; RSA 328-F:11, I(f) and (g) |
|
Phy 304.02 |
RSA 328-F:11, I(f) |
|
Phy 304.03 |
RSA 328-F:5, I; RSA 328-F:11, I(f) and (g) |
|
Phy 304.04 |
RSA 328-F:11, I(a) |
|
Phy
305.01 |
RSA
328-F:11, I(c) |
|
Phy 305.01(a) |
RSA 328-F:5, I(a) |
|
Phy 305.01(b) |
RSA 328-A:5, I(c), II(c), III and IV(c) |
|
Phy 305.01(c) |
RSA 328-A:5, II(g) |
|
Phy 305.01(d) |
RSA 328-A:5, I(d) and II(h) and IV(d) |
|
Phy 305.02 |
RSA 541-A:16, I(b) |
|
Phy 305.03 |
RSA 328-F:18, III |
|
Phy
305.04 |
RSA
328-F:18, III |
|
Phy 305.05 |
RSA 328-F:18, III |
|
Phy 306.01 |
RSA 328-A:5, I(c); RSA 328-A:5, IV(c) and III |
|
Phy 306.02 |
RSA 328-A:5, II(c) |
|
Phy 307 |
RSA 328-F:18, III; RSA 328-F:11, I(a) and (c) |
|
Phy 308 |
RSA 328-A:4, IX; RSA 328-A:5-a |
Appendix
II
|
Rule |
Material
to be Incorporated |
Available |
|
Phy 308.01 |
“Physical Therapy Compact Commission Rules”
effective June 5, 2018 |
Available to members of the public from the Physical
Therapy Compact Commission, 124 West Street South, Third Floor, Alexandria,
VA 22314, and online at www.ptcompact.org |