Chapter PT 9

Chapter PT 9

CONTINUING EDUCATION

PT 9.01   Authority and purpose.

PT 9.02   Definitions.

PT 9.03   Continuing education requirements.

PT 9.04   Standards for approval.

PT 9.05   Certification and audit of continuing education requirements.

PT 9.01 PT 9.01 Authority and purpose. The rules in this chapter are adopted by the board pursuant to the authority delegated by ss. 15.08 (5) (b), 227.11 (2) and 448.55 (3), Stats., and govern required biennial continuing education of licensees of the board.

PT 9.01 History History: CR 03-020: cr. Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04; CR 12-002: am. Register August 2012 No. 680, eff. 9-1-12.

PT 9.02 PT 9.02 Definitions. In this chapter:

PT 9.02(1) (1) “Contact hour” means not less than 50 minutes a licensee spends in actual attendance at or completion of acceptable continuing education.

PT 9.02(2) (2) “Continuing education” means planned, organized learning activities designed to maintain, improve, or expand a licensee’s knowledge and skills relevant to the enhancement of practice, education, or theory development to improve the safety and welfare of the public.

PT 9.02(4) (4) “Licensee” means a person licensed to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in this state.

PT 9.02 History History: CR 03-020: cr. Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04; CR 08-049: r. and recr. (1), r. (3) Register November 2008 No. 635, eff. 12-1-08; CR 12-002: cr. (1m), (5) Register August 2012 No. 680, eff. 9-1-12; CR 17-091: r. (1m), (5) Register June 2018 No. 750, eff. 7-1-18.

PT 9.03 PT 9.03 Continuing education requirements.

PT 9.03(1) (1) Unless granted a postponement or waiver under sub. (8), every physical therapist shall complete at least 30 hours of board-approved continuing education in each biennial registration period, as specified in s. 448.55 (3), Stats. Four of the required 30 hours shall be in the area of ethics, jurisprudence, or both.

PT 9.03(2) (2) Unless granted a postponement or waiver under sub. (8), every physical therapist assistant shall complete at least 20 hours of board-approved continuing education in each biennial registration period, as specified in s. 448.55 (3), Stats. Four of the required 20 hours shall be in the area of ethics, jurisprudence, or both.

PT 9.03(3) (3) Continuing education hours may apply only to the registration period in which the hours are acquired. If a license has lapsed, the board may grant permission to apply continuing education hours acquired after lapse of the license to a previous biennial period of licensure during which required continuing education was not acquired. In no case may continuing education hours be applied to more than one biennial period.

PT 9.03(4) (4) Unless granted a postponement or waiver under sub. (8), a licensee who fails to meet the continuing education requirements by the renewal deadline shall cease and desist from practice.

PT 9.03(5) (5) During the time between initial licensure and commencement of a full 2-year licensure period new licensees shall not be required to meet continuing education requirements.

PT 9.03(6) (6) Applicants from other states applying for a license to practice as a physical therapist under s. 448.53 (3), Stats., shall submit proof of completion of at least 30 hours of continuing education approved by the board within 2 years prior to application.

PT 9.03(7) (7) Applicants from other states applying for a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant under s. 448.53 (3), Stats., shall submit proof of completion of at least 20 hours of continuing education approved by the board within 2 years prior to application.

PT 9.03(8) (8) A licensee may apply to the board for a postponement or waiver of the requirements of this section on grounds of prolonged illness or disability, or on other grounds constituting extreme hardship. The board shall consider each application individually on its merits, and the board may grant a postponement, partial waiver or total waiver as deemed appropriate.

PT 9.03 History History: CR 03-020: cr. Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04; CR 08-049: am. (1) and (2) Register November 2008 No. 635, eff. 12-1-08; CR 17-091: am. (1), (2) Register June 2018 No. 750, eff. 7-1-18.

PT 9.04 PT 9.04 Standards for approval.

PT 9.04(1) (1) To be approved for credit, a continuing education program shall meet all of the following criteria:

PT 9.04(1)(a) (a) The program constitutes an organized program of learning that contributes directly to the licensee’s knowledge, skill, behavior, and abilities related to the practice of physical therapy.

PT 9.04(1)(b) (b) The program pertains to subject matters which integrally relate to the practice of the profession.

PT 9.04(1)(c) (c) The program is conducted by individuals who have specialized education, training or experience by reason of which the individuals should be considered qualified concerning the subject matter of the activity or program.

PT 9.04(1)(d) (d) The program fulfills pre-established goals and objectives.

PT 9.04(1)(e) (e) The program provides proof of attendance by licensees.

PT 9.04(2) (2) An activity described in Table PT 9.04 may qualify for continuing education hours. To be approved for credit, the activity shall integrally relate to the practice of the profession.

- See PDF for table

PT 9.04(3) (3) None of the following activities qualify for continuing education hours:

PT 9.04(3)(a) (a) Meetings for the purpose of policy decisions.

PT 9.04(3)(b) (b) Non-educational meetings at annual association, chapter or organization meetings.

PT 9.04(3)(c) (c) Entertainment or recreational meetings or activities.

PT 9.04(3)(d) (d) Visiting exhibits.

PT 9.04 History History: CR 03-020: cr. Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04; CR 08-049: renum. (2) (intro.) to be (2) and am., r. (2) (a) to (c), Table 9.04-1 and Table 9.04-2, cr. Table 9.04 Register November 2008 No. 635, eff. 12-1-08; CR 17-091: am. (1) (a), (2), Table 9.04 lines (a), (h), (i), (j), (L), (n), (p), (r), (t), (3) (intro.) Register June 2018 No. 750, eff. 7-1-18.

PT 9.05 PT 9.05 Certification and audit of continuing education requirements. Applicants for renewal shall certify completion of required continuing education hours. The board shall audit any licensee who is under investigation by the board for alleged misconduct.

PT 9.05 History History: CR 03-020: cr. Register April 2004 No. 580, eff. 5-1-04; CR 17-091: am. Register June 2018 No. 750, eff. 7-1-18.