In This Issue:
From your Physical Therapy Committee
Welcome to PT News
This will be the first of what are planned to be quarterly updates on the practice of Physical Therapy in Oklahoma.
PT News will focus on the very practical aspects of being a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant in our state ranging from applying for, retaining and renewing your license, working with and supervising other PTs or PTAs, maintaining Continuing Education credits, and Oklahoma and national legislative initiatives that impact the practice of Physical Therapy.
The Oklahoma Physical Therapy Committee consists of five members, four practitioners and one public representative. The Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association nominates potential Committee Members who are then appointed to three year terms by the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision.
Current Oklahoma Physical Therapy Committee members are: Jennifer Ball, PT/ATC, MHR, Chair; Carla Hinkle, MS, PTA, Vice Chair; Kelly Berry, PT, MPH, Cert. MDT; and public member Kristin Hinckle. One position is currently vacant.
Direct questions or comments about PT News to licensing@okmedicalboard.org with the Subject line: PT News
Back to Top
OSBMLS, PT Advisory Committee and OPTA are the alphabet soup of organizations that regulate and advocate for the practice of Physical Therapy in Oklahoma. Who are they? Let’s find out.
OSBMLS: Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision more commonly known as the Oklahoma Medical Board consists of nine members (7 medical doctors and 2 public members). It is the umbrella organization that regulates medical doctors and 13 other Oklahoma health care professions, including Physical Therapists (PT) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA). The Oklahoma Medical Board and staff are responsible for the licensing and regulation of some 25,000 Oklahoma health care providers. The Oklahoma Medical Board meets seven times a year to grant licenses, establish policy, determine practice standards and adjudicate disciplinary actions regarding medical doctors and the other professionals under it purview. All adverse disciplinary actions taken by the Oklahoma Medical Board related to medical doctors or the other professions in its jurisdiction are referred to the Oklahoma Attorney General for review and certification
(Doctors of Osteopathy (DO) have a separate licensing entity, the Oklahoma Board of Osteopathic Examiners.)
PT Advisory Committee or “PT Committee”: Physical Therapy Advisory Committee to the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision consists of five members (3 PTs, 1 PTA and 1 public member) which meets four times a year to recommend the granting of PT and PTA licenses, approve continuing education courses, examinations, supervision, practice standards, and possible disciplinary action as needed. Recommendations of the PT Committee are forwarded to the Oklahoma Medical Board for final adjudication. Certain recommendations may require PT Committee members or individual PTs or PTAs to appear in person before the Oklahoma Medical Board. Adverse disciplinary actions against PTs or PTAs are referred to the Oklahoma Attorney General for review and certification.
On rare occasions, certain issues or legal proceedings may bypass the PT Committee and be heard directly by the Oklahoma Medical Board.
All meetings of the Oklahoma Medical Board and its Advisory Committees are open to the public and licensees. All laws, rules and regulation pertaining to MDs, PTs, PTAs and the other professions it governs are available on the Oklahoma Medical Board Homepage.
OPTA: Oklahoma Physical Therapy Association is the voluntary, membership organization that advocates for PTs, PTAs and the profession of Physical Therapy. OPTA is affiliated with the American Physical Therapy Association which “sees to the health and quality of life of individuals in society by advancing Physical Therapist practice, education and research, and by increasing the awareness and understanding of physical therapy’s role in the nation’s health care system.”
OPTA recommends candidates to the Oklahoma Medical Board to serve on the PT Committee
Physical Therapists (PT) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) who wish to retire from active practice but maintain their professional identity may move to fully retired Emeritus Status by sending a letter requesting the change and a one-time $50.00 fee to the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Committee, c/o Oklahoma Medical Board. There is no renewal fee.
While Emeritus PTs and PTAs shall not practice Physical Therapy in any form, they are allowed to work in their communities or on professional associations or other committees where being a PT/PTA is required.
Emeritus PTs and PTAs may use the title and append to their name PT, RPT, LPT, PTA, RPTA, LPTA or any other title, letters or designation followed by (Ret.) or (Retired).
Emeritus PTs and PTAs may return to active practice under rules outlined in the Oklahoma Administrative Code 435:20-5-7, available on the PT Homepage, okmedicalboard.org, Physical Therapy tab.
Back to Top
PHYSICAL THERAPY ALERT: WORKING UNDER TEMPORARY PERMIT
The temporary permits, which allow first-time Physical Therapist (PT) or Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) applicants to practice under supervision pending passage of the licensing examination, expire immediately following notification of test results.
PTs or PTAs who pass the exam are de facto licensed and may continue to work. Those who fail the test may no longer practice. The temporary permit is not renewable.
The Physical Therapy Practice Act (Oklahoma Statutes Title 59 Section 887.10.B) states: “Upon proper application and payment of fees, the Board may issue a temporary permit to a person who has applied for a license pursuant to the provisions of Section 887.7 of this title, and who is eligible to take the examination pursuant to the provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act. Such temporary permit shall be available to an applicant only with respect to his first application for licensure. Such permit shall expire upon notice that the applicant has or has not passed the examination.
Back to Top
All Oklahoma Physical Therapists (PT) and Physical Therapist Assistants are encouraged to become familiar with the Physical Therapist Homepage on the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision (Oklahoma Medical Board) website.
To access the PT Homepage, simply go to okmedicalboard.org then click on the “Physical Therapist” tab in the right hand column.
In addition to allowing PTs and PTAs to apply for and renew their licenses on line, the PT Homepage contains access to all the laws, rules, regulations and licensure requirements pertaining to the practice of Physical Therapy in Oklahoma; PT Continuing Education Requirements and listing of approved CE courses; meeting dates for the PT Advisory Committee; and a Frequently Asked Questions section.
Perhaps most important of all, the PT Homepage contains all of a PT’s professional and license information including address, telephone and license and Continuing Education status.
You cannot practice Physical Therapy without a license so PTs and PTAs should periodically check to make sure all their professional information is correct and current. It’s only a click away.
Back to Top
Need to update your practice and or personal profile? There are no forms to fill out! Just click on “Renew or Update your License Online” |
|
 |
|
