Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

HB 210
                      Department of Legislative Services
                              Maryland General Assembly
                                    2021 Session
                           FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
                                 Third Reader
House Bill 210              (Delegate Bhandari)
Health and Government Operations       Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
    State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners - Temporary Licenses to Practice
                  Physical Therapy and Limited Physical Therapy
This bill authorizes the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners to issue a temporary
license to practice physical therapy (or limited physical therapy). The board may issue such
a license to an applicant who, except for passing a required examination, has met the
appropriate education and experience requirements for a physical therapist (or physical
therapy assistant) license. The bill authorizes a temporary license holder to practice
physical therapy (or limited physical therapy) under “direct supervision” until (1) 90 days
after issuance; (2) the board issues a full license; or (3) the board revokes the temporary
license. The bill also specifies conditions for the revocation of a temporary license. The
bill takes effect July 1, 2021.
                                    Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill’s requirements can be handled with existing budgeted resources.
Revenues are not affected.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: None.
                                         Analysis
Bill Summary: “Direct supervision” means supervision provided by a licensed physical
therapist who is physically present within the treatment area and immediately available to
give aid, direction, and instruction when physical therapy or limited physical therapy
procedures or activities are performed. A temporary license authorizes the holder to
practice physical therapy (or limited physical therapy) only under direct supervision of a
fully licensed physical therapist.
Subject to hearing provisions, the board may deny a license, reprimand any licensee, place
any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke a license if (1) an individual who is
authorized to practice physical therapy is grossly negligent in the supervision of the holder
of a temporary license or (2) an individual who holds a temporary license practices without
direct supervision.
Unless the board agrees to accept the surrender of a license, the holder of a temporary
license may not surrender the license or allow the license to lapse while the licensee is
under investigation or while charges are pending against them.
Current Law: Generally, an applicant for a physical therapy license must have
(1) graduated from a physical therapy program approved by the American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA), or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in
Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and (2) completed the clinical education required
by the physical therapy program.
To qualify for a physical therapist assistant license, an applicant must have (1) graduated
from a physical therapist assistant program approved by APTA or accredited by CAPTE
and (2) completed the clinical education required by physical therapist assistant program.
If an applicant was educated outside of the United States, the applicant must have graduated
from a physical therapy or physical therapy assistant program that in the year of graduation
had educational requirements equivalent to a CAPTE-accredited program in the
United States.
To apply for a physical therapy or physical therapy assistant license, an applicant must
submit to the board (1) a board-approved application and (2) evidence of completion of the
relevant curriculum and clinical training. Applicants must also submit to a criminal history
records check and pay an application fee.
Any applicant who otherwise qualifies for a license is entitled to be examined for that
license. The board must give examinations at least twice a year at board-determined times
and places to applicants for a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant license.
Currently, the board requires applicants to take and pass a physical therapy exam
administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, as well as the
Maryland Jurisprudence Exam administered directly by the board.
HB 210/ Page 2
                             Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File:    SB 517 (Senator Klausmeier) - Education, Health, and
Environmental Affairs.
Information Source(s): Maryland Department of Health; Department of Legislative
Services
Fiscal Note History:   First Reader - February 1, 2021
rh/jc                  Third Reader - February 24, 2021
Analysis by: Michael E. Sousane                   Direct Inquiries to:
                                                  (410) 946-5510
                                                  (301) 970-5510
HB 210/ Page 3
Statutes affected: 
Text - First - State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners - Temporary Licenses to Practice Physical Therapy and Limited Physical Therapy: 13-101 Health Occupations, 13-313 Health Occupations, 13-315 Health Occupations, 13-316 Health Occupations, 13-302.1 Health Occupations
Text - Third - State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners - Temporary Licenses to Practice Physical Therapy and Limited Physical Therapy: 13-101 Health Occupations, 13-313 Health Occupations, 13-315 Health Occupations, 13-316 Health Occupations, 13-302.1 Health Occupations