Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-915-120 Foreign educated applicants. The board of physical therapy (board) is considering updating internet-based test of english as a foreign language (ibTOEFL) scoring requirements to bring them into alignment with the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) guidelines. The board is considering creating a pathway for foreign trained applicants who hold an active license and have been practicing in the United States for a certain period of time. Additionally, there are some minor edits needed to clarify the language of the rule without changing its effect.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: On June 13, 2022, the board authorized staff to open WAC 246-915-120 and initiate rule making. The board will review and determine if amendments to TOEFL's minimum passing score are necessary to protect the public without creating unnecessary barriers for licensure. Washington state's current passing score requirements were originally established based on FSBPT's passing score recommendation. FSBPT's minimum passing score recommendations have since been updated. To come into alignment with FSBPT's recommendation, Washington state would have to lower the minimum passing score for the writing and speaking tests, and raise the minimum passing score requirements for the reading and listening tests. Consistent licensing standards between states will help support a framework of equality and increased mobility for physical therapists and physical therapy assistants. Additionally, FSBPT research has shown that candidates who meet their recommended criteria are more likely to pass the national physical therapy exam.

The board will consider creating a pathway for foreign educated applicants who hold an active license and have been practicing in the United States for a certain period of time. This change should be considered because current practice requires a foreign educated physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant who has been practicing in the United States, to be held to the same standards as a newly licensed physical therapist or physical therapy assistant educated at a program not approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. This does not take real life experience in practicing, communicating with patients, or continuing education, which every jurisdiction requires, into consideration.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Allyson McIver, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-2878, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email physical.therapy@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested persons can participate in the rule process through open public meetings and by submitting written comments, and are encouraged to sign up for the interested parties list (GovDelivery) at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new. Rule-making notices will be emailed via GovDelivery.