(1) The Board may, in its discretion register a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant without an examination as set forth in Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 43-33-15 upon receipt of a complete application and payment of applicable fees. (Refer to fee schedule)
(2) A military spouse or transitioning service member, as defined in O.C.G.A. §
43-1-34, is deemed eligible to apply for licensure pursuant to O.C.G.A. 43-33-15 if the applicant is a holder of a valid physical therapy or physical therapist assistant license in another State for which the training, experience and testing substantially meet or exceed the requirements under this state to obtain a license; and,
(a) The military spouse or transitioning service member must be a graduate of a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) approved by the Board, and must provide:
1. Verification of an active license in good standing from another state board; and,
2. Within six (6) months of the issuance of a license, submit a verification of licensure in good standing from the state board of all states in which the applicant has held a license to actively practice; and,
3. Verification of active continued competence in physical therapy in the two years immediately preceding the date of this application which may include a verification of employment or 26 hours of acceptable continuing education coursework pursuant to the requirements in Board Rule 490-4-.02(1)(2)(4)(7) and (8); and,
4. Official transcript from the institution granting the entry level degree in physical therapy or physical therapist assistant indicating the date of graduation; and,
5. Passing scores from the national licensing examination.
6. Passing scores from the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy ethics and jurisprudence examination.
(b) Any military spouse or transitioning service member applying for licensure pursuant to O.C.G.A. 43-33-15 who is a graduate of a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or approved by the Board, must provide:
1. Verification of an active license in good standing from another state; and,
2. Within six (6) months of the issuance of a license, submit verification of licensure in good standing from the state board of all states in which the applicant has actively practiced in the two years immediately preceding the date of this application; and,
3. Verification of active continued competence in physical therapy in the two years immediately preceding the date of this application which may include a verification of employment or 26 hours of acceptable continuing education coursework pursuant to the requirements in Board Rule 490-4-.02(1)(2)(4)(7) and (8); and,
4. Official evaluation and transcript from a credential evaluation organization approved by the Board which shall meet the standards of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Coursework Tool (CWT) that was in effect at the time the applicant graduated from their physical therapy or physical therapist assistant educational program; and,
5. Passing scores from the national licensing examination.
6. Passing scores from the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy ethics and jurisprudence examination.
(3) Proof of graduation from an accredited physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program or credential evaluations deemed substantially equivalent to the professional degree, and satisfactory completion of the licensing examination shall be deemed to be prima facie evidence of compliance with Code Section 43-33-15. The Board, however, may request further verification of any credential submitted if deemed necessary to evaluate the application.
