AN ACT Relating to licensing of physical therapist assistants; amending RCW 18.74.010, 18.74.023, and 18.74.060; and adding new sections to chapter 18.74 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 1, chapter 239, Laws of 1949 as last amended by section 2, chapter 116, Laws of 1983 and RCW 18.74.010 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Board" means the board of physical therapy created by RCW 18.74.020.

(2) "Department" means the department of licensing.

(3) "Director" means the director of licensing.

(4) "Physical therapy" means the treatment of any bodily or mental condition of any person by the use of the physical, chemical, and other properties of heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, sound, massage, and therapeutic exercise, which includes posture and rehabilitation procedures; the performance of tests and measurements of neuro muscular function as an aid to the diagnosis or treatment of any human condition; performance of treatments on the basis of test findings after consultation with and periodic review by an authorized health care practitioner; supervision of selective forms of treatment by trained supportive personnel; and provision of consultative services for health, education, and community agencies. The use of Roentgen rays and radium for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, the use of electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization, and chiropractic practices as defined by RCW 18.25.005, which include the adjustment or manipulation of the articulations of the spine and its immediate articulations or mobilization of these articulations by use of a thrusting force, are not included under the term "physical therapy" as used in this chapter.

(5) "Physical therapist" means a person who practices physical therapy as defined in this chapter but does not include massage operators as defined in RCW 18.108.010.

(6) "Physical therapist assistant" means a person under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist who assists in the practice of physical therapy and who is licensed pursuant to this chapter.

(7) Words importing the masculine gender may be applied to females.

((~~(7)~~)) (8) "Authorized health care practitioner" means and includes licensed physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, podiatrists, and dentists: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That nothing herein shall be construed as altering the scope of practice of such practitioners as defined in their respective licensure laws.

Sec. 2. Section 4, chapter 116, Laws of 1983 and RCW 18.74.023 are each amended to read as follows:

The board has the following powers and duties:

(1) To administer examinations to applicants for ((a)) any license under this chapter.

(2) To pass upon the qualifications of applicants for ((a)) any license and to certify to the director duly qualified applicants.

(3) To approve, deny, restrict, suspend, or revoke authorization to practice under this chapter.

(4) To make such rules not inconsistent with the laws of this state as may be deemed necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(5) To establish and administer requirements for continuing professional education as may be necessary or proper to ensure the public health and safety and which may be a prerequisite to granting and renewing a license under this chapter.

(6) To establish rules fixing standards of professional conduct.

(7) To keep an official record of all its proceedings, which record shall be evidence of all proceedings of the board which are set forth therein.

(8) To adopt rules not inconsistent with the laws of this state, when it deems appropriate, in response to questions put to it by professional health associations, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and consumers in this state concerning the authority of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to perform particular acts.

Sec. 3. Section 6, chapter 239, Laws of 1949 as last amended by section 10, chapter 116, Laws of 1983 and RCW 18.74.060 are each amended to read as follows:

Upon the recommendation of the board, the director shall license as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and shall furnish a license to any person who is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant registered or licensed under the laws of another state or territory, or the District of Columbia, if the qualifications for such registration or license required of the applicant were substantially equal to the requirements under this chapter. At the time of making application, the applicant shall pay to the state treasurer a fee determined by the director as provided in RCW ((~~43.24.085 as now or hereafter amended~~)) 43.24.086.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 18.74 RCW to read as follows:

An applicant for a license as a physical therapist assistant shall have the following qualifications:

(1) Be of good moral character; and

(2) Have successfully completed a program of study for physical therapist assistants which has been approved by the board.

The applicant shall present proof of qualifications to the board in a manner and on the forms prescribed by it.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 18.74 RCW to read as follows:

All qualified applicants for a license as a physical therapist assistant shall be examined by the board at such time and place within the state as the board may determine. The examination shall include subjects as the board deems useful to test the applicant's fitness to be licensed as a physical therapist assistant. Examinations shall be held at least once a year. Applicants who fail the examination may apply for reexamination upon payment of a reexamination fee determined by the director.

The director of licensing shall license as a physical therapist assistant and shall furnish a license to each applicant who successfully passes the examination for licensure as a physical therapist assistant.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 18.74 RCW to read as follows:

The board shall waive the education and examination requirements and grant a license to a person engaged in practice as a physical therapist assistant on July 15, 1985, if the board determines that the person meets commonly accepted standards for the profession, as established by rule of the board.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 18.74 RCW to read as follows:

There is created an advisory committee to the board consisting of five physical therapist assistants licensed in this state. The members shall be appointed by the director. Of the initial appointments, two shall be appointed for a term of two years and three shall be appointed for a term of four years. The committee shall meet from time to time to advise the board on matters concerning the licensing and practice of physical therapist assistants.