1. A. Except as provided in subsection (G), a licensed physical therapist shall earn 20 contact hours of continuing competence for each compliance period to be eligible for license renewal.

   1. 1. The licensed physical therapist shall earn at least 10 contact hours from Category A continuing competence activities. No more than five of the required contact hours from Category A may be obtained from nonclinical course work.
   2. 2. No more than 10 contact hours may be earned by the licensed physical therapist during any compliance period from Categories B and C continuing competence activities. No more than five contact hours from categories B and C may be obtained from nonclinical course work.
   3. 3. If the licensed physical therapist’s initial license is for one year or less, the licensed physical therapist shall earn 10 contact hours from Category A continuing competence activities during the initial compliance period. No more than five of the required contact hours from Category A may be obtained from nonclinical course work.

2. B. Except as provided in subsection (G), a licensed physical therapist assistant shall earn 10 contact hours of continuing competence for each compliance period to be eligible for license renewal.

   1. 1. The licensed physical therapist assistant shall earn at least six contact hours from Category A continuing competence activities. No more than three of the required contact hours from Category A may be obtained from nonclinical course work.
   2. 2. No more than four contact hours may be earned by the licensed physical therapist assistant during any compliance period from Categories B and C continuing competence activities. No more than two contact hours from Categories B and C may be obtained from nonclinical course work.
   3. 3. If the licensed physical therapist assistant’s initial license is for one year or less, the licensed physical therapist assistant shall earn six contact hours from Category A continuing competence activities during the initial compliance period. No more than three of the required contact hours from Category A may be obtained from nonclinical course work.
3. C. A licensee shall not receive contact hour credit for repetitions of the same activity.
4. D. The continuing competence compliance period for a licensee begins on September 1 following the issuance of an initial or renewal license and ends on August 31 of even‑numbered years.
5. E. A licensee shall not carry over contact hours from one compliance period to another.
6. F. An applicant for renewal shall submit a signed statement to the Board with the renewal application stating whether continuing competence requirements have been fulfilled for the current compliance period.
7. G. The Board may, at its discretion, waive continuing competence requirements on an individual basis for reasons of extreme hardship such as illness, disability, active service in the military, or other extraordinary circumstance as determined by the Board. A licensee who seeks a waiver of the continuing competence requirements shall provide to the Board, in writing, the specific reasons for requesting the waiver and additional information the Board may request in support of the waiver.

8. H. A licensee is subject to Board auditing for continuing competence compliance.

   1. 1. Selection for audit shall be random and notice of audit sent within 60 calendar days following the renewal deadline.

   2. 2. Within 30 days of receipt of a notice of audit, a licensee shall submit evidence to the Board that shows compliance with the requirements of continuing competence. Documentation of a continuing competence activity shall include:

      1. a. The date, place, course title, sponsor, schedule, and presenter;
      2. b. The number of contact hours received for the activity; and
      3. c. Proof of completion, such as an abstract, certificate of attendance, sign‑in log, or other certification of completion.
9. I. A licensee shall retain evidence of participation in a continuing competence activity for two compliance periods after participation.
10. J. The Board shall notify a licensee who has been audited whether the licensee is in compliance with continuing competence requirements. The Board shall provide the notice electronically or by certified mail within 30 working days following the determination by the Board.
11. K. The Board shall provide six months from the date of the notice under subsection (J) for a licensee found not in compliance with continuing competence requirements to satisfy the continuing competence requirements. A licensee may request a hearing to contest the Board’s decision under A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10.
12. L. Penalties for failure to comply with continuing competence requirements may be imposed by the Board under A.R.S § 32‑2047 following a hearing conducted under A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10.

Historical Note

New Section adopted by final rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 2399, effective June 9, 2000 (Supp. 00-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 25 A.A.R. 404, effective April 6, 2019 (Supp. 19-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 2377 (July 18, 2025), effective August 30, 2025 (Supp. 25-3).