Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-915-105 Approved physical therapist assistant programs.

     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: The regulation of physical therapist assistants is not authorized under chapter 18.74 RCW. However, RCW 18.74.023(7) authorizes the Board of Physical Therapy to define and specify the education and training requirements of physical therapist assistants and physical therapy aides. Physical therapist assistants are technically educated at the two-year associates degree level. Given that physical therapist assistants are not required to work under direct supervision and frequently work in unsupervised settings such as home health and public schools, this rule is necessary to establish that assistants meet minimum educational qualifications in order to protect the public.

     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