HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1532

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to interim permits for applicants for physical therapist licenses.

Brief Description:  Creating an interim permit for physical therapist licensure candidates.

Sponsors:  Representatives Veloria, Lisk, R. Johnson, Jacobsen, King, Pruitt, Karahalios, Quall, Van Luven, Long, Eide and Anderson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 26, 1993, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Dellwo, Chair; L. Johnson, Vice Chair; Dyer, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Campbell; Conway; Cooke; Flemming; R. Johnson; Lisk; Mastin; Mielke; Morris; Thibaudeau; and Veloria.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  Currently there is no authority for a candidate for licensure as a physical therapist, who has taken the licensure examination, to practice pending the results of the examination.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  With the approval of the Board of Physical Therapy, candidates for licensure as physical therapists, who have taken the licensure examination, may practice under graduate supervision pending notification of the results of the first licensure examination upon the issuance of an interim permit by the Department of Health.  The interim permit is limited to a six-month duration.  Graduate supervision includes an on-the-premises presence of a physical therapist who consults regarding evaluation, a treatment plan and program, and the progress of each assigned patient.

Practice is also conditioned on consultation and periodic review by physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, podiatrists and dentists where appropriate.  The procedures of the Uniform Disciplinary Act are extended to holders of the interim permit.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Interim permits are limited to six months.  The Uniform Disciplinary Act governs holders of the interim permit.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Physical therapists should be able to practice after taking the exam pending the results of the examination.  They are qualified by education and training to practice, thus increasing access of the public to physical therapy services.

Testimony Against:  None

Witnesses:  Becky Bogard, Julie Johnson-Bilger, and Christopher Morrow, Washington State Physical Therapy Association (pro).