Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-800.2 - Initial licensure

(1) The applicant shall submit a complete online application and pay the nonrefundable fee specified in rule 481-507.13 (147, 148A).

(2) If the application is not completed according to the instructions, the application will not be reviewed by the board.

(3) Submit official copies of academic transcripts directly from the school to the board. An applicant shall demonstrate successful completion of a physical therapy education program accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the board. No application will be considered by the board until official copies of academic transcripts have been received.

(4) Submit a completed fingerprint card and a signed waiver form to facilitate a national criminal history background check by the Iowa division of criminal investigation (DCI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The cost of the criminal history background check by the DCI and the FBI shall be assessed to the applicant.

(5) Have the testing service send the examination score directly to the board.

(6) Provide verification of license from the jurisdiction in which the applicant has most recently been licensed, sent directly from the jurisdiction to the board office. The applicant must also disclose any public or pending complaints against the applicant in any other jurisdiction. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification direct from the jurisdiction's board office if the verification provides:

a. Licensee's name;

b. Date of initial licensure;

c. Current licensure status; and

d. Any disciplinary action taken against the license.

(7) A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant applicant who holds a license in another state shall have completed one of the following:

a. Completed board-approved continuing education during the immediately preceding two-year period: 40 hours required for the physical therapist license holder and 20 hours required for a physical therapist assistant license holder; or

b. Practiced for a minimum of 2,080 hours during the immediately preceding two-year period; or

c. Served the equivalent of one year as a full-time faculty member teaching in an accredited school of physical therapy for at least one of the immediately preceding two years; or

d. Successfully passed the examination within a period of two years from the date of examination to the time application is completed for licensure.

(8) Submitting complete application materials. An application for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant license will be considered active for two years from the date the application is received. If the applicant does not submit all materials within this time period or if the applicant does not meet the requirements for the license, the application shall be considered incomplete. An applicant whose application is filed incomplete must submit a new application, supporting materials, and the application fee. The board shall destroy incomplete applications after two years.

(9) A person who is licensed in another jurisdiction but who is unable to satisfy the requirements for licensure by endorsement may apply for licensure by verification, if eligible, in accordance with rule 481-501.1 (272C).

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-800.2

ARC 7978C, IAB 5/15/2024, effective 7/1/2024; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 9/18/2024