SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6384

                    As of January 28, 1998

Title:  An act relating to limited licensure for physical therapists.

Brief Description:  Authorizing limited licenses for physical therapists.

Sponsors:  Senators Wood and Fairley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  1/30/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff:  Joan K. Mell (786-7447)

Background:  Physical therapists treat physical and emotional impairments via a variety of therapeutic methods enumerated in statute, such as therapeutic exercise, posture and rehabilitation procedures and performance of treatments utilizing heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, sound, and massage.  A person must obtain a license from the Department of Health in order to practice physical therapy.  There is no statutory provision for inactive license status.  A physical therapy board comprised of appointed physical therapists has power to administer the licensing process, but does not have specific statutory authority to impose limited licenses.

Summary of Bill:  Statutory authority is given to the board to impose limited licenses on physical therapists Awhere appropriate.@  Limitations include limits on scope of practice, place of practice, supervision of practice, duration of licensed status, or type or condition of patient or client served.

The board can reactivate inactive licenses. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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