ARC 4917C

ARC 4917C

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE DIVISION[645]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to licensure reactivation

and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy hereby proposes to amend Chapter 200, "Licensure of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants," and Chapter 206, "Licensure of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code sections 147.76 and 272C.2.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapters 148A and 148B.

Purpose and Summary

This proposed rule making amends the Board's requirements for license reactivation by accepting verification from another state or jurisdiction that shows two years of active practice, consisting of a minimum of 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction preceding application for reactivation in lieu of completing continuing education.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

A waiver provision is not included in this rule making because all administrative rules of the professional licensure boards in the Professional Licensure Division are subject to the waiver provisions accorded under 645—Chapter 18.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 4, 2020. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

A public hearing at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

Persons who wish to make oral comments at the public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rule making. In an effort to ensure accuracy in memorializing a person's comments, a person may provide written comments in addition to or in lieu of oral comments at the hearing.

Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making actions are proposed:

Item 1. Amend subrule 200.15(3) as follows:

200.15(3) Provide verification of current competence to practice physical therapy by satisfying one of the following criteria:

a. If the license has been on inactive status for five years or less, an applicant must provide the following:

(1)Verification of the license(s) from every jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed and is or has been practicing during the time period the Iowa license was inactive, sent directly from the jurisdiction(s) to the board office. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification from a jurisdiction's board office if the verification includes:

1.Licensee's name;

2.Date of initial licensure;

3.Current licensure status; and

4.Any disciplinary action taken against the license; and

(2)Verification of completion of 20 hours of continuing education for a physical therapy assistant and 40 hours of continuing education for a physical therapist within two years of application for reactivation; or verification of active practice, consisting of a minimum of 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation.

b. If the license has been on inactive status for more than five years, an applicant must provide the following:

(1)Verification of the license(s) from every jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed and is or has been practicing during the time period the Iowa license was inactive, sent directly from the jurisdiction(s) to the board office. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification from a jurisdiction's board office if the verification includes:

1.Licensee's name;

2.Date of initial licensure;

3.Current licensure status; and

4.Any disciplinary action taken against the license; and

(2)Verification of completion of 40 hours of continuing education for a physical therapy assistant and 80 hours of continuing education for a physical therapist within two years of application for reactivation; verification of active practice, consisting of a minimum of 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation; or evidence of successful completion of the professional examination required for initial licensure completed within one year prior to the submission of an application for reactivation.

Item 2. Amend subrule 206.11(3) as follows:

206.11(3) Provide verification of current competence to practice occupational therapy by satisfying one of the following criteria:

a. If the license has been on inactive status for five years or less, an applicant must provide the following:

(1)Verification of the license(s) from every jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed and is or has been practicing during the time period the Iowa license was inactive, sent directly from the jurisdiction(s) to the board office. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification from a jurisdiction's board office if the verification includes:

1.Licensee's name;

2.Date of initial licensure;

3.Current licensure status; and

4.Any disciplinary action taken against the license; and

(2)Verification of completion of 15 hours of continuing education for an occupational therapy assistant and 30 hours of continuing education for an occupational therapist within two years of application for reactivation; or verification of active practice, consisting of a minimum of 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation.

b. If the license has been on inactive status for more than five years, an applicant must provide the following:

(1)Verification of the license(s) from every jurisdiction in which the applicant is or has been licensed and is or has been practicing during the time period the Iowa license was inactive, sent directly from the jurisdiction(s) to the board office. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification from a jurisdiction's board office if the verification includes:

1.Licensee's name;

2.Date of initial licensure;

3.Current licensure status; and

4.Any disciplinary action taken against the license; and

(2)Verification of completion of 30 hours of continuing education for an occupational therapy assistant and 60 hours of continuing education for an occupational therapist within two years of application for reactivation; verification of active practice, consisting of a minimum of 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation; or evidence of successful completion of the professional examination required for initial licensure completed within one year prior to the submission of an application for reactivation.