(1) Every two years, a physical therapist shall complete thirty-two 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.	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 that does not include specific goals and objectives relating to the practice of physical therapy.	Four hours	Instead of course goals, objectives and certificate of completion, the PT shall write and submit to the department a one-page synopsis in twelve-point font 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.	Ten hours	The PT shall submit to the department an outline of presentation materials, date, and location of presentation.
e.	Written 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 therapist students enrolled in a physical therapy 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.	Completion of Option, which is a self-assessment tool created by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.	Five 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.	Participation in the use of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy's aptitude continuing competence resource.	Two hours	The PT shall submit verification of completion by FSBPT.

(2) Every two years a physical therapist who holds a spinal manipulation endorsement shall complete at least ten 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 twenty-four hours of continuing education through any of the following means:

	CE Type	Hours Allowed	Documentation Requirements
a.	Participation in a course, live or online.	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 that does not include specific goals and objectives relating to the practice of physical therapy.	Four hours	Instead of course goals, objectives and certificate of completion, the PTA shall write and submit a one-page synopsis in twelve-point font 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.	Ten hours	The PTA shall submit an outline of presentation materials, date, and location of presentation.
e.	Written 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 a letter or certificate from the student's academic institution verifying that the student has completed the course of clinical instruction. For each thirty-two hours of student mentorship equaling one hour for purposes of CE credit.
g.	Completion of Option, which is a self-assessment tool created by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.	Five 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.	Participation in the use of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy's aptitude continuing competence resource.	Two hours	The PTA shall submit verification of completion by FSBPT.

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

(5) Every two years, each physical therapist and physical therapist assistant shall complete two hundred hours involving the application of physical therapy knowledge and skills which may be obtained in the clinical practice of physical therapy or in the nonclinical 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 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.

PDFWAC 246-915-085

Continuing competency.