Board of Physical Therapy − Spring 2026 Newsletter

The State of Washington and the Board of Physical Therapy take transparency in communications very seriously. The Washington State Board of Physical Therapy operates in compliance with RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), which requires that all meetings be open to the public. Additionally, the OPMA prohibits voting by secret ballot.

Sexual misconduct and boundary violations remain a critical challenge that threaten the integrity of the physical therapy profession and the safety of patients. The patient-provider relationship is built on trust, respect, and professionalism. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in Washington state are responsible for understanding WAC 246-915-182 (Unprofessional conduct - Sexual misconduct), WAC 246-16-100 (Sexual misconduct), and Chapter 18.130 RCW (Uniform Disciplinary Act).

Healthcare systems face rising levels of occupational stress. Increasing patient demand, workforce shortages, financial pressures, and rapid technological change drive this stress. For physical therapy professionals, these stressors contribute to challenges - including compassion fatigue, moral distress, moral injury, and burnout.

Beginning January 21, 2026, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) scores will be reported on a new 1–6 proficiency scale.

My name is Nhi Reighter, and I would like to introduce myself as the new physical therapist assistant (PTA) board member for the Board of Physical Therapy. I have been a licensed PTA since 2014, spending most of my career in outpatient orthopedics where I found my passion in rehabilitation for post-operative and acute injuries. Shortly after earning my degree, I moved to Washington in hopes of finding a climate with more trees and mountains.

I grew up in Virginia and spent much of my early life moving up and down the East Coast, eventually earning my bachelor's degree in Percussive Arts at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina. While in school, I found balance and stress relief through CrossFit and
mixed martial arts (MMA), developing a deep passion for MMA. After college, I moved to Florida, where I worked as a personal trainer while actively pursuing professional MMA. An
injury during this time brought me to physical therapy - and it was that experience, working with a physical therapist (PT) who helped me get back on track, that inspired me to change
course and pursue a career in physical therapy myself.