Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-915-100 Approved physical therapy schools.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.74.023.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 18.74.030 directs that applicants hold a baccalaureate degree in physical therapy from a school that has been approved by the board. The current rule adopts the educational standards for United States physical therapy programs established by the American Physical Therapy Association and has been in effect since the inception of the American Physical Therapy Association's accreditation process in 1985. Rules are required to recognize and clarify the role of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the division within the American Physical Therapy Association responsible for establishing educational standards and developing appropriate systems for outcome measurements within United States physical therapy education programs.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Department of Health, Kris Waidely, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47868, Olympia, WA 98504-7868, (360) 236-4847, (360) 664-9077.

February 13, 2004

Kris Waidely

Program Manager