Oklahoma § 59-887.6 - Qualifications for license

§ 59-887.6. Qualifications for license

A. Except as otherwise provided by law, to be eligible for

licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant

pursuant to the provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act an

applicant shall pass an examination based on standards promulgated

by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision pursuant to

the Physical Therapy Practice Act which shall include a written

examination testing the knowledge of the applicant on:

1. The basic and clinical sciences as they relate to physical

therapy theory and physical therapy procedures; and

2. Such other subjects as the Board may deem necessary to test

the applicant's fitness to practice physical therapy or as a

physical therapist assistant. Examinations shall be held within

this state at least once per year, at such time and place as the

Board shall determine.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations

B. 1. In addition to the requirements provided by subsection A

of this section, and except as provided in paragraph 2 of this

subsection or subsection D of this section, an applicant for a

license to practice as a physical therapist shall have graduated

from a school of physical therapy approved by a national accrediting

body which has been recognized by the Board.

2. An applicant for a license to practice as a physical

therapist who has been educated through a program or school of

physical therapy which is or has been sponsored by a branch of the

Armed Forces of the United States may be licensed as a physical

therapist if the Board determines that the education of the

applicant is substantially equivalent to, or exceeds, the

requirements of accredited educational programs.

C. 1. In addition to the requirements provided by subsection A

of this section, and except as provided in paragraph 2 of this

subsection, an applicant for a license to practice as a physical

therapist assistant shall have graduated from an approved program

for physical therapist assistants consisting of at least a two-year

program approved by a national accrediting body which has been

recognized by the Board. An approved course of study shall include

such elementary and intermediate courses in the anatomical,

biological, and physical sciences as may be determined by the Board.

2. An applicant for a license to practice as a physical

therapist assistant who has been educated through a program for

physical therapist assistants which is or has been sponsored by a

branch of the Armed Forces of the United States may be licensed as a

physical therapist assistant if the Board determines that the

education of the applicant is substantially equivalent to, or

exceeds, the requirements of accredited educational programs.

D. 1. Except as otherwise provided by paragraph 2 of this

subsection, an applicant for licensure as a physical therapist who

has been educated in physical therapy outside the United States

shall meet the following qualifications:

a.

have completed the application process,

b.

provide satisfactory evidence that their education is

substantially equivalent to the requirements of

physical therapists educated in accredited educational

programs as determined by the Board. If the Board

determines that a foreign-educated applicant's

education is not substantially equivalent, it may

require completion of additional course work before

proceeding with the application process,

c.

provide written proof that the school of physical

therapy education is recognized by its own ministry of

education,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations

d.

provide written proof of authorization to practice as

a physical therapist without limitations in the

country where the professional education occurred,

e.

provide proof of legal authorization to reside and

seek employment in the United States or its

territories,

f.

have their educational credentials evaluated by a

Board-approved credential evaluation agency,

g.

have passed the Board-approved English proficiency

examinations if their native language is not English,

h.

have participated in an interim supervised clinical

practice period prior to licensure, which may be

waived at the discretion of the Board, if:

(1) the applicant for licensure is able to verify the

successful completion of one (1) year of clinical

practice in the United States or the District of

Columbia, or

(2) the applicant is able to document exceptional

expertise acceptable to the Board in the fields

of research, education, or clinical practice, and

i.

have successfully passed the national examination

approved by the Board.

2. If the foreign-educated physical therapist applicant is a

graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy education program,

requirements in subparagraphs b, c, f and h of paragraph 1 of this

subsection may be waived.

E. When a foreign-educated applicant satisfies the

qualifications for licensure set forth in subparagraphs a through g

of paragraph 1 of subsection D of this section, prior to licensure

the Board shall issue an interim permit to the applicant for the

purpose of participating in a supervised clinical practice period.

The time period of an interim permit shall not be less than ninety

(90) days nor more than six (6) months. An interim permit holder,

to the satisfaction of the Board, shall complete a period of

clinical practice under the continuous and immediate supervision of

a physical therapist who holds an unrestricted license issued

pursuant to the Physical Therapy Practice Act in a facility approved

by the Board.

F. 1. In addition to the requirements provided by subsection A

of this section, the Board may require an applicant for licensure as

a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant pursuant to the

provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act, as a condition for

eligibility for initial licensure, to submit a full set of

fingerprints in a form and manner prescribed by the Board.

2. The Board is authorized to obtain state and national

criminal history record information on the applicant.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations

3. The Board shall not disseminate criminal history record

information resulting from the background check outside of this

state.

Added by Laws 1965, c. 153, § 6, emerg. eff. May 26, 1965. Amended

by Laws 1969, c. 345, § 5; Laws 1987, c. 13, § 5, eff. July 1, 1987;

Laws 1997, c. 126, § 2; Laws 2019, c. 198, § 2, emerg. eff. April

29, 2019; Laws 2019, c. 363, § 37, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.