Procedures For Licensure

(1) Procedures for all applicants. To become licensed as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in Tennessee, a person must comply with the following procedures and requirements. (a) The electronic application process shall be completed and submitted to the Board through the Board’s authorized licensure system found and outlined on the Board’s website. Those applicants who prefer to submit a paper application can obtain the appropriate forms from the Board’s administrative office. (b) An applicant shall respond truthfully and completely to every question or request for information contained in the application form and submit it along with all documentation and fees required by the form and these rules to the Board’s administrative office. It is the intent of these rules that all steps necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed prior to filing either the application for licensure or the application for examination. (c) An applicant shall pay the nonrefundable application fee, the State regulatory fee and, if applicable, the reciprocity fee as provided in Rule 1150-01-.06 when submitting the application. (d) An applicant shall submit with his application a “passport” style photograph taken within the preceding 12 months. (e) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request a college transcript from his degree granting institution, pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-13-307, be submitted directly from the school to the Board’s administrative office. The institution granting the degree must be GENERAL RULES GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY CHAPTER 1150-01 accredited by CAPTE at the time the degree was granted, or for internationally educated and/or foreign trained graduates, an institution granting an equivalent degree. The transcript must show that the degree has been conferred and carry the official seal of the institution and reference the name under which the applicant has applied for licensure. (f) An applicant shall submit an original letter of recommendation from a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed in the United States that attests to the applicant’s good moral character. The letter cannot be from a relative. An applicant shall submit this with their application. (g) An applicant shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following: 1. Conviction of any crime in any country, state, or municipality, except minor traffic violations. 2. The denial of a licensure or the discipline of licensee by any state or country. 3. Loss or restriction of licensure. 4. Any civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including, without limitation, actions involving malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity, or any other civil action remedy recognized under the country’s or state’s statutory, common, or case law. (h) An applicant must complete the criminal background process as specified by the Board during the application process. (i) Application review and licensure decisions shall be governed by Rule 1150-01-.07. (j) The burden is on the applicant to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that his course work and credentials are equivalent to the Board’s requirements. (k) The license fee must be received in the Board’s administrative office on or before the 30th day from receipt of notification that the license fee is due. Failure to comply will result in the application file being closed. (l) A license will be issued after all requirements, including payment of a license fee pursuant to Rule 1150-01-.06, have been met. (m) An applicant shall submit with their application: verification of United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States pursuant to T.C.A. § 4-58-103. (2) Additional procedure for licensure by examination – Passage of required examination pursuant to Rule 1150-01-.08 is a prerequisite to licensure. (3) Additional procedures for licensure by reciprocity. (a) To be eligible for licensure by endorsement, at the time of application an FEPT/FEPTA applicant must hold a current, valid license/certification as a physical therapist/physical therapist assistant from a physical therapy licensing authority in the United States. A FEPT/FEPTA applicant who does not meet the requirements of this section may apply for licensure under requirements for licensure by examination for foreign educated physical therapists and foreign educated physical therapist assistants as outlined in Rule 1150-01-.04(3). GENERAL RULES GOVERNING THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY CHAPTER 1150-01 (b) An individual may not apply by endorsement when holding a temporary license from a physical therapy licensing authority in the United States. (c) Application. Submission of a complete application establishing that the applicant has met the qualifications as set forth in these rules. (d) Proof of Active Practice. Submission of a written, notarized statement sent directly to the Board from the applicant’s most recent employer or supervisor to verify completion of a minimum of 1000 hours of safe and competent practice as a physical therapist/physical therapist assistant completed in the 12 months immediately prior to application. In the absence of an employer or supervisor, the applicant may submit an affidavit of practice with supporting documentation. In the event an affidavit of practice is submitted in lieu of an employer or supervisor verification, the Board may require additional documentation. (e) Educational Credential Review. Submission of an original, verified copy of the education credentials review report demonstrating a substantially equivalent education, used by a physical therapy licensing authority of a jurisdiction of the United States to make the determination to issue a license in that jurisdiction. 1. The educational credentials review shall be completed using the edition of the FSBPT Coursework Tool corresponding to the year of the applicant’s graduation or the most recent version of the FSBPT Coursework Tool. 2. The educational credentials review shall be sent directly to the Board from an approved credentialing agency or physical therapy licensing authority of a jurisdiction of the United States. (f) Examinations. Submission of proof that the applicant has: 1. Successfully passed the NPTE; and 2. Successfully completed the ethics and jurisprudence training as defined in Rule 1150-01-.04(3)(d). (g) Licensure Verification. Submission of a verification of each license currently or previously held from a physical therapy licensing authority of a jurisdiction of the United States. (h) Criminal Background Checks. At the applicant’s expense, an applicant for licensure shall consent to a criminal history record check and complete the criminal background process as specified by the Board during the application process. (i) Administrative staff will receive and issue licensure verification reports from FSBPT. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify the accuracy of the licensure verification report. (4) Additional procedures for foreign trained applicants: When necessary, all required documents shall be translated into English and such translation and the original document must be certified as to authenticity by the issuing source. Both versions must be submitted.