Subject of Possible Rule Making: Updating the test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) scoring scale for foreign educated physical therapy applicants. The board of physical therapy (board) will consider amendments to WAC 246-915-120 Foreign educated applicants, to update TOEFL scoring requirements in response to changes made by the educational testing services (ETS).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Foreign educated applicants are required to verify English language proficiency for licensure as a physical therapist. One of the options is to take and pass the TOEFL which is administered by ETS. As a result of recent changes to the scoring system by ETS, the score requirements laid out in WAC 246-915-120 no longer align with the updated scoring system. The board will review the updated scoring system as well as the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy recommended passing scores and will consider updating WAC 246-915-120. The board will also consider additional housekeeping updates to the section. Rule making is necessary to ensure that the requirements to qualify for a physical therapy license for foreign educated applicants are clear and up-to-date.

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 98504-7582, phone 360-236-2878, TTY 711, email physical.therapy@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The board will be conducting rules workshops with interested parties and subject matter experts. The board will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To find out more information about our rule making, visit www.doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery for rule-making notices, please visit www.doh.wa.gov, select the "Sign up for Updates from DOH" button at the bottom of the page, select "Health Professions," and then "Physical Therapy Program." You may also check the box next to one or more of the other professions listed to receive information related to that specific profession.