Continuing Education Requirements

Physical Therapists

(a)  Contact hour requirements. Beginning with the January 1, 2013—December 31, 2014 biennial renewal period, a licensed physical therapist shall satisfy the following continuing education requirements.

(1)  During each biennial renewal period, a licensee shall complete qualifying continuing education equal to at least 30 contact hours of continuing physical therapy education, including at least 2 contact hours in law or ethics applicable to the practice of physical therapy.

(2)  Except as permitted in §  40.20(c)(1) (relating to inactive status of physical therapist license), paragraph (4) or as directed by the Board, continuing education may satisfy the requirement of paragraph (1) only for the biennium during which it was completed. A contact hour of continuing education may not be used to satisfy the requirement of paragraph (1) for more than 1 biennium.

(3)  Unless otherwise excused by the act or this subchapter, failure to complete the minimum required amount of continuing education during the applicable renewal period as required under section 7.2 of the act (63 P. S. §  1307.2) and this section will subject the licensee to disciplinary action under section 11(a)(6) of the act (63 P. S. §  1311(a)(6)) as provided in §  40.52(11) (relating to unprofessional conduct; physical therapists).

Physical Therapist Assistants

(a) Contact hour requirements. Beginning with the January 1, 2013—December 31, 2014 biennial renewal period, a certified physical therapist assistant shall satisfy the following continuing education requirements.

(1)  During each biennial renewal period, a certified physical therapist assistant shall complete qualifying continuing education equal to at least 30 contact hours of continuing physical therapy education, including at least 4 contact hours in identifying and responding to emergency health conditions and at least 2 contact hours in law or ethics applicable to the practice of physical therapy.

(2)  Except as permitted in §  40.191(g)(1) (relating to renewal of certification), paragraph (4) or as directed by the Board, continuing education may satisfy the requirement of paragraph (1) only for the biennium during which it was completed. A contact hour of continuing education may not be used to satisfy the requirement of paragraph (1) for more than 1 biennium.

(3)  Unless otherwise excused by the act or this subchapter, failure to complete the minimum required amount of continuing education during the applicable renewal period as required under section 9.1(j) of the act (63 P. S. §  1309.1(j)) and this section will subject the certified physical therapist assistant to disciplinary action under section 9.1(f) of the act as provided in §  40.181(6) (relating to refusal, suspension or revocation of certification).

Last Modified: 10/13/2020