Wash. Admin. Code § 246-915-085

Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024

Section 246-915-085 - Continuing competency

(1) Every two years, a physical therapist shall complete 32 hours of continuing education (CE) through any of the following means:

	CE Type	Maximum Hours Allowed	Documentation Requirements
a.	Participation in a course, live or online, including recorded.	No limit	Keep certificates of completion for each course, and, if not contained in the certificate of completion, information describing the course sponsors, the goals and objectives of the course, the credentials of the presenter as a recognized authority on the subject presented, dates of attendance, and total hours for all continuing education courses being reported.
b.	Live or recorded instructional electronic media relating to the practice of physical therapy that does not include specific goals and objectives.	Four hours	Instead of course goals, objectives and certificate of completion, the PT shall write and submit to the department a minimum of two takeaways for each hour of running time.
c.	Books or articles reviewed.	Eight hours (reading time only)	The PT shall write and submit to the department a one-page synopsis in twelve-point font for each hour of reading time. The time spent writing a synopsis is not reportable.
d.	Preparation and presentation of professional physical therapy courses or lectures.	Sixteen hours	The PT shall submit to the department a description and objectives of the presentation, date, and location of presentation.
e.	Written preparation and publication of original scholarly research or work published in a peer-review journal.	Ten hours	The PT shall submit to the department proof of publication which may include poster presentations.
f.	Clinical instruction of physical therapy students enrolled in a physical therapy educational program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or clinical instruction in a postgraduate residency or fellowship through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).	Ten hours	The PT shall obtain and submit to the department a letter or certificate from the student's academic institution verifying that the student has completed the course of clinical instruction. Each thirty-two hours of student mentorship equals one hour for purposes of CE credit.
g.	Courses required for professional certification such as to work in public schools.	Fifteen hours	The PT shall submit a copy of the completion certificate to the department.
h.	Courses provided by an accredited institution of higher education which may include, but are not limited to, courses leading to an advanced degree in physical therapy or other courses that advance the PT's competence.	No limit	The PT shall submit a transcript to the department verifying courses taken. One quarter credit is equal to ten hours; one trimester is equal to twelve hours; and one semester credit is equal to fifteen hours.
i.	Attendance at science-based conferences.	No limit	Certificate of attendance.
j.	Preparing for and successfully taking and passing board certification exams through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.	No limit	Certificate of certification.

(2) Every two years a physical therapist who holds a spinal manipulation endorsement shall complete at least 10 hours of continuing education directly related to spinal manipulation with at least five hours related to procedural techniques and application of spinal manipulation. For documentation, refer to the documentation required for the particular type of continuing education chosen. The hours spent completing spinal manipulation continuing education count toward meeting any applicable continuing competency requirements.

(3) Every two years, a physical therapist assistant shall complete 24 hours of continuing education through any of the following means:

	CE Type	Hours Allowed	Documentation Requirements
a.	Participation in a course, live or online, including recorded.	No limit	Keep certificates of completion for each course, and, if not contained in the certificate of completion, information describing the course sponsors, the goals and objectives of the course, the credentials of the presenter as a recognized authority on the subject presented, dates of attendance, and total hours for all continuing education courses being reported.
b.	Live or recorded instructional electronic media relating to the practice of physical therapy that does not include specific goals and objectives.	Four hours	Instead of course goals, objectives and certificate of completion, the PTA shall submit to the department a minimum of two takeaways for each hour of running time.
c.	Books or articles reviewed.	Eight hours (reading time only)	The PTA shall write and submit a one-page synopsis in twelve-point font for each hour of reading time. The time spent writing a synopsis is not reportable.
d.	Preparation and presentation of professional physical therapy courses or lectures.	Sixteen hours	The PTA shall submit to the department a description and objectives of the presentation, date, and location of presentation.
e.	Written preparation and publication of original scholarly research or work published in a peer-review journal.	Ten hours	The PTA shall submit proof of publication which may include poster presentations.
f.	Clinical instruction of physical therapist assistant students enrolled in a physical therapy assistant program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or clinical instruction in a postgraduate residency or fellowship through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).	Ten hours	The PTA shall obtain and submit to the department a letter or certificate from the student's academic institution verifying that the student has completed the course of clinical instruction. Each thirty-two hours of student mentorship equals one hour for purposes of CE credit.
g.	Courses required for professional certification such as to work in public schools.	Fifteen hours	The PTA shall submit a copy of the completion certificate.
h.	Courses provided by an accredited institution of higher education which may include, but are not limited to, courses leading to an advanced degree in physical therapy or other courses that advance the PTA's competence.	No limit	The PTA shall submit a transcript verifying courses taken. One quarter credit is equal to ten hours; one trimester credit is equal to twelve hours; and one semester credit is equal to fifteen hours.
i.	Attendance at science-based conferences.	No limit	Certificate of attendance.
j.	Preparing for and successfully taking and passing board certification exams through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.	No limit	Certificate of certification.

(4) Every two years, each physical therapist and physical therapist assistant shall complete two hours of health equity continuing competency training as described in WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830. For documentation, refer to the documentation required for the particular type of continuing education chosen. The hours spent completing health equity training continuing education count toward meeting any applicable continuing competency requirements.

(5) Each physical therapist and physical therapist assistant shall complete a one-time, three hour suicide assessment training described in WAC 246-915-086.

(6) Every two years, each physical therapist and physical therapist assistant shall complete 200 hours involving the application of physical therapy knowledge and skills which may be obtained in the clinical practice of physical therapy or in the non-clinical activities which include, but are not limited to, the following:

	Clinical Activities	Hours Allowed	Documentation
a.	Physical therapy clinical practice.	No limit	Documentation of physical therapy employment, the PT or PTA shall provide copies of employment records or other proof acceptable to the board of employment for the hours being reported.

	Nonclinical Activities	Hours Allowed (within the two hundred hours required)	Documentation
b.	Physical therapy teaching of: * Patient/client management, prevention and wellness. * Physical therapy ethics and standards of practice. * Professional advocacy/involvement.	No limit	The PT or PTA shall provide documentation of such activities as acceptable to the board.
c.	Active service on boards or participation in professional or government organizations, or attendance at professional or government organizations meetings specifically related to the practice of physical therapy.	No limit	The PT or PTA shall provide documentation of such activities as acceptable to the board.
d.	Developing course work in physical therapy schools or education programs or physical therapy continuing education courses.	No limit	The PT or PTA shall provide documentation of such activities as acceptable to the board.
e.	Physical therapy research as a principal or associate researcher.	No limit	The PT or PTA shall provide documentation of such activities as acceptable to the board.
f.	Physical therapy consulting.	No limit	The PT or PTA shall provide documentation of such activities as acceptable to the board.
g.	Management of physical therapy services.	No limit	The PT or PTA shall provide documentation of such activities as acceptable to the board.
h.	Physical therapy volunteer hours or observation in physical therapy practice.	No limit	The PT or PTA shall provide documentation verifying volunteer or observation hours.

Wash. Admin. Code § 246-915-085

Amended by WSR 15-14-093, Filed 6/29/2015, effective 7/1/2015

Amended by WSR 18-15-067, Filed 7/17/2018, effective 8/17/2018

Amended by WSR 20-06-029, Filed 2/26/2020, effective 3/28/2020

Amended by WSR 21-20-009, Filed 9/23/2021, effective 10/24/2021

Amended by WSR 23-21-075, Filed 10/13/2023, effective 11/13/2023

Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023. 08-17-026, § 246-915-085, filed 8/13/08, effective 8/13/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023(4). 04-08-101, § 246-915-085, filed 4/6/04, effective 5/7/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. 98-05-060, § 246-915-085, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023. 94-05-014 (Order 403B), § 246-915-085, filed 2/4/94, effective 3/7/94.