HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1896

BYRepresentatives Vekich, Brooks, Morris, Wolfe, Prentice, D. Sommers, Sprenkle, Basich and Pruitt

Providing for an interim permit for applicants for a physical therapist license.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Brooks, Ranking Republican Member; Cantwell, Chandler, Morris, Prentice, Sommers, Vekich and Wolfe.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 15, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Physical therapy is a health profession regulated by the state Department of Licensing, and a license is required in order to practice.  Currently, there is no authority for the department to issue interim permits for practice to applicants who have qualified to take the examination and are waiting the results of their examination.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Licensing, upon approval of the Board of Physical Therapy, is required to issue interim permits to applicants for licensure who are qualified to take the examination. Practice must be under the direct supervision of a licensed therapist and include consultation involving each patient.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 14, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Dottie Nelson, Washington State Physical Therapists Association and Mike Ryherd, Washington State Medical Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Physical therapists can get into active practice sooner by holding interim permits.  Waiting to take the licensure examination and waiting for the results may present the prospect of a considerable time of unemployment for a person otherwise qualified to practice.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.