HB 716 -- PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

CO-SPONSORS:  Treadway, Burton

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 15 to 0.

This bill contains provisions regarding the licensing of
physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.  The bill:

(1)  Provides for reciprocal, provisional, and temporary
licenses;

(2)  Allows additional examination sittings for individuals who
meet criteria established in the bill;

(3)  Requires provisional licensed physical therapists to
practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physical
therapist;

(4)  Permits issuance of temporary licenses to those failing the
licensing exam.  The duration of the first temporary license
will be 6 months and can only be renewed once.  This renewal may
only be issued if the licensee, after showing good cause, fails
to sit for the next scheduled examination.  Temporary licenses
may be issued to students in their last semester of physical
therapy school; and

(5)  Requires that applicants only sit for the licensing exam 3
times.  Upon failing the state exam for the second time, an
applicant must complete a program of remediation before sitting
for the third exam.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill allows persons who
have failed the state exam 3 times to either take remedial
studies and get a higher degree and reapply for licensure or get
a license in another state, practice there for 3 years, and then
apply for a Missouri license.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Burton; and State
Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:45 am