IDAPA 24.13.01
This rule applies to applicants, and license holders for:
This rule governs the practice of physical therapists in Idaho to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. This rule establishes:
This rule implements the following statute passed by the Idaho Legislature:
Professions, Vocations, and Businesses -
Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board
Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mountain Time, Monday through Friday, except state holidays
11341 W Chinden Blvd, Bldg 4, Boise, ID 83714
Phone: (208) 334-3233
E-mail: DOPLboardsupport@dopl.idaho.gov
Website: https://dopl.idaho.gov/pht/
This rule chapter will be reviewed in compliance with Section 67-5292, Idaho Code, and in accordance with the 8-year rule review schedule linked here.
24.13.01 – Rules Governing the Physical Therapy Licensure Board
| 000. Legal Authority. | 3 |
|---|---|
| 001. Scope. | 3 |
| 002. Incorporation By Reference. | 3 |
| 003. -- 099.(Reserved) | 3 |
| 100. Licensure. | 3 |
| 101. -- 199.(Reserved) | 3 |
| 200. Practice Standards. | 3 |
| 201. -- 299.(Reserved) | 5 |
| 300. Discipline. | 5 |
| 301. -- 399.(Reserved) | 5 |
| 400. Fees. | 5 |
| 401. -- 999.(Reserved) | 5 |
These rules are promulgated pursuant to Sections 54-2206, 54-2207, 54-2209, and 54-2221 Idaho Code. (7-1-24)
These rules govern the practice of physical therapy in Idaho. (7-1-24)
The documents titled “Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist” and “Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant” published by the American Physical Therapy Association, effective August 12, 2020, are adopted and incorporated by reference and available on the APTA website. (Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist | APTA) and (Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant | APTA). (7-1-24)
01. Examinations: An applicant must successfully pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), with a minimum score set by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Foreign-educated applicants whose native language is not English must also successfully pass either: (a) the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum passing score of two hundred twenty (220) for the computer test and five hundred sixty (560) for the paper test; or (b) the Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet-Based Test (TOEFL IBT) with a minimum passing score of twenty-four (24) in writing, twenty-six (26) in speaking, twenty-one (21) in reading, and eighteen (18) in listening. (7-1-24)
a. Renewal of License. Every person holding a license issued by the Board must complete thirty-two (32) contact hours of continuing education every two years. (7-1-24)
b. Reinstatement of License. Any license canceled for failure to renew may be reinstated in accordance with Section 67-2614, Idaho Code, with the exception that the applicant must submit proof of having met the following continuing education requirements: (7-1-24)
i. For licenses expired for three (3) years or less, sixteen (16) hours of continuing education; or (7-1-24)
ii. For licenses expired for more than three (3) years, thirty-two (32) hours of continuing education. (7-1-24)
c. Contact Hours. The contact hours of continuing education must be obtained in areas of study germane to the practice of physical therapy, and for which the licensee is issued a certificate of completion or transcript. (7-1-24)
d. Documentation of Attendance. The applicant must maintain documentation verifying attendance by securing authorized signatures or other documentation from the course instructors, providers, or sponsoring institution substantiating any hours attended by the licensee. This documentation must be provided to the Board upon request by the Board or its agent. (7-1-24)
01. Scope of Practice. Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants must possess the education, training, and experience within their scope of practice to perform physical therapy tasks. (7-1-24)
02. Supervision. Supervision is oversight of a person by a licensed physical therapist when the licensed physical therapist is immediately available in person, by telephone, or by electronic communication to assist the person. A physical therapist shall supervise and be responsible for patient care given by physical therapist assistants, supportive personnel, physical therapy students, and physical therapist assistant students. (7-1-24)
a. Procedures and Interventions Performed Exclusively by Physical Therapists. The following
procedures and interventions shall be performed exclusively by a physical therapist: (7-1-24)
i. Interpretation of a referral for physical therapy if a referral has been received. (7-1-24)
ii. Performance of the initial patient evaluation and problem identification including a diagnosis for physical therapy and a prognosis for physical therapy. (7-1-24)
iii. Development or modification of a treatment plan of care which is based on the initial evaluation, and which includes long-term and short-term physical therapy treatment goals. (7-1-24)
iv. Assessment of the competence of physical therapist assistants, physical therapy students, physical therapist assistant students, and supportive personnel to perform assigned procedures, interventions, and routine tasks. (7-1-24)
v. Selection and delegation of appropriate portions of treatment procedures, interventions, and routine physical therapy tasks to the physical therapist assistants, physical therapy students, physical therapist assistant students, and supportive personnel. (7-1-24)
vi. Performance of a re-evaluation when any change in a patient’s condition occurs that is not consistent with the physical therapy treatment plan of care, patient’s anticipated progress, and physical therapy treatment goals. (7-1-24)
vii. Performance and documentation of a discharge evaluation and summary of the physical therapy treatment plan. (7-1-24)
03. Supervision of Physical Therapist Assistants. A physical therapist assistant must be supervised by a physical therapist by no less than telecommunication. (7-1-24)
a. A physical therapist assistant must not change a procedure or intervention unless such change of procedure or intervention has been included within the treatment plan of care as set forth by a physical therapist. (7-1-24)
b. A physical therapist assistant may not continue to provide treatment as specified under a treatment plan of care if a patient’s condition changes such that further treatment necessitates a change in the established treatment plan of care, unless the physical therapist assistant has consulted with the supervising physical therapist prior to the patient’s next appointment for physical therapy, and a re-evaluation is completed by the supervising physical therapist. (7-1-24)
c. The supervising physical therapist must provide direct personal contact with the patient and assess the plan of care on or before every ten (10) visits or once a week if treatment is performed more than once per day but no less often than once every sixty (60) days. The supervising physical therapist’s assessment must be documented in the patient record. (7-1-24)
d. A physical therapist assistant may refuse to perform any procedure, intervention, or task delegated by a physical therapist when such procedure, intervention, or task is beyond the physical therapist assistant’s skill level or scope of practice standards. (7-1-24)
e. A physical therapist is not required to co-sign any treatment related documents prepared by a physical therapist assistant, unless required to do so in accordance with law, or by a third party. (7-1-24)
04. Supervision of Supportive Personnel. Any routine physical therapy tasks performed by supportive personnel requires a physical therapist’s or physical therapist assistant’s direct and continuous physical presence and availability to render direction, in person on the premises where physical therapy is being provided. The physical therapist or physical therapist assistant must have direct contact with the patient during each session and assess patient response to delegated treatment. (7-1-24)
05. Supervision of Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant Students. Supervision of
physical therapist students and physical therapist assistant students requires availability of the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to render direction in person and on the premises where physical therapy is being provided. (7-1-24)
a. A physical therapy student is required to sign all treatment notes with the designation “SPT” after their name, and all such signatures require the co-signature of the supervising physical therapist. (7-1-24)
b. A physical therapist assistant student is required to sign all treatment notes with the designation “SPTA” after their name, and all such signatures require the co-signature of the supervising physical therapist or supervising physical therapist assistant. (7-1-24)
201. -- 299. (RESERVED)
01. Civil Fine. The Board may impose a civil fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation upon anyone licensed under Title 54, Chapter 22, Idaho Code who is found by the Board to be in violation of Section 54-2219, Idaho Code. (7-1-24)
301. -- 399. (RESERVED)
All fees are non-refundable. The examination or reexamination fee are in addition to the application fee and must accompany the application.
| FEE TYPE | AMOUNT | RENEWAL |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist License | $25 | $25 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant License | $20 | $20 |
| Examination | Established by examination entity plus an administrative fee not to exceed $20 | |
| Application | $25 |
(7-1-24)
401. -- 999. (RESERVED)