Rhode Island § 5-40-7 - Physical Therapists

§ 5-40-7. Licensing of physical therapists.

(a) By Examination. The applicant is required to pass with a grade determined by the board, an examination approved by the department in consultation with the board; physical therapists licensed under the provisions of this chapter on August 31, 1982, shall continue to be licensed.

(b) Without Examination by Endorsement. A license to practice physical therapy may be issued without examination to an applicant who has been licensed by examination as a physical therapist under the laws of another state or territory or District of Columbia, if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications required of physical therapists in this state.

(c)(1) Graduate Practice. Every graduate of a board-approved physical therapy school who has filed a physical therapy application may, upon receiving a permit from the department of health, perform as a physical therapist under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed in this state.

(2) During this period, the applicant shall identify him or herself only as a “graduate physical therapist.”

(3) If the applicant fails to take the examination, as specified in subsection (a), within ninety (90) days from effective date of graduate status, without cause, or fails to pass the examination and receive a license, all privileges provided in subsections (c)(1) and (c)(2) automatically cease.

(d)(1) Foreign-Trained Applicants. If the foreign-trained applicant has successfully met the requirements of the rules and regulations, the applicant’s credentials shall be accepted by the board.

(2) Prior to becoming licensed in this state, the foreign-trained applicant must also meet all of the appropriate requirements described in this section or its equivalent as established in rules and regulations.