Continuing Competence Requirements

Licensed physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and occupational therapy assistants (hereinafter collectively "physical therapy and occupational therapy professionals") are required, as a condition of license renewal, to complete a minimum of 24 points of Board recognized activities for maintaining continuing competence during the preceding biennial renewal period. For each renewal period, each physical and occupational therapy professional's continuing competency points must include two points in ethics, laws and regulations governing practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or some combination thereof. Provided, however, that no sooner than four years following April 29, 2022, the Board will review the continuing competence offerings in ethics and law and regulations governing practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in order to assess the continued validity of this mandated subject-matter material, including the breadth, depth, and variety of materials offered to licensees as well as compliance with its mandate. For new physical therapy or occupational therapy professionals licensed by examination, this continuing competence requirement commences following their first renewal period after initial licensure. Note: Athletic trainer continuing competence requirements are contained within the license renewal requirement at 259 CMR 4.03(2)(b), provided however that athletic trainers are subject to the mandated subject-matter material of two points in ethics, laws and regulations per renewal period contained in 259 CMR 7.01(1) and subject to the documentation, waiver and disciplinary requirements contained in the remaining sections of 259 CMR 7.00. For lapsed, expired, suspended, revoked, or surrendered licenses, continuing competence requirements as part of reinstatement are contained within 259 CMR 2.05: Requirements for Reinstatement of a Lapsed/Expired License. (2) Board-approved continuing competence activities must relate to the science or contemporary clinical practice of physical therapy or occupational therapy and to the licensee's current or anticipated professional roles and responsibilities of the following type and variety. (a) Publication. Published books, chapters of published books and/or articles in peer reviewed journals authored by the physical therapy or occupational therapy professional may be submitted for Board approval. A maximum of 22 of the total 24 points for activities to maintain continuing competence may be credited per book. A maximum of two points may be credited per book chapter or article published in a peer-reviewed journal. (b) Presentation and Instruction. Presenters and instructors of academic courses, workshops, or seminars. 1. Academic Courses. Faculty may be credited with four points per academic credit awarded by the accredited degree-granting institution of higher education for a course. 2. Continuing Education Courses, Workshops and Seminars. Instructors may be credited one point for activities to maintain continuing competence for each contact hour of the activity taught by the instructor. Such Board-approved instruction and presentation may count towards no more than ten of the required 24 points for activities to maintain continuing competence per renewal period and points will be awarded only for first time instruction and presentation of courses, workshops or seminars. Subsequent instruction and presentation of courses, workshops or seminars will be awarded ½ the respective value of points. (c) Academic Coursework. Fully completed academic coursework, by the licensee, from an accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education may be submitted for no more than six of the required 24 points for activities to maintain continuing competence per renewal period, with one point per academic credit awarded by the accredited degree-granting institution of higher education. (Mass. Register #1468 4/29/22) (d) Continuing Competence Programs. Fully completed continuing competence programs may be submitted for up to 24 points, one point per contact hour or equivalent as awarded by the provider. (e) Other continuing competence activities approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. or the American Physical Therapy Association may be submitted for no more than six of the required 24 points for activities to maintain continuing competence per renewal period. Only those continuing competence activities which are completed during the required continuing competence period, 24 months prior to each renewal date, will be acceptable as qualifying continuing competence activities for that period. All continuing competence activities other than Board approved continuing competence programs set forth in 259 CMR 7.03(2) are subject to approval by the Board.