California § 2639

§ 2639.

(a) (1) Every graduate of an approved physical therapy education program who has filed a complete application, as defined in regulation, for licensure with the board and has been awarded either physical therapist license applicant status or physical therapist assistant license applicant status shall practice under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist pursuant to this chapter for no more than 120 days pending the results of the first licensing examination administered. If the applicant passes the examination, the physical therapist license applicant status or physical therapist assistant license applicant status shall remain in effect until a regular renewable license is issued, or licensure is denied, by the board. A supervising physical therapist shall document receipt of the letter authorizing the physical therapist license applicant status or physical therapist assistant license applicant status and record the expiration date of that status in the employee record. A supervising physical therapist shall require the applicant to provide documentation of the license issued at the conclusion of the physical therapist license applicant status or physical therapist assistant license applicant status. During this period the applicant shall identify himself or herself only as “physical therapist license applicant” or “physical therapist assistant license applicant,” as appropriate. (2) A person shall not be considered a graduate unless he or she has successfully completed all the clinical training and internship required for graduation from the education program. (b) A physical therapist license applicant who has been awarded license applicant status may perform as a physical therapist if he or she is under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed by the board. A physical therapist assistant license applicant who has been awarded license applicant status may perform as a physical therapist assistant if he or she is under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed by the board. The applicant shall comply with any requirements applicable to the license for which he or she applied. An applicant may not perform in those capacities if he or she fails the first examination attempt.