Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 2639
Qualifications and Requirements for Licensure
Redline — January 1, 2011 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2013
As of January 1, 2011
Every graduate of an approved physical therapist education program who has filed a complete application for licensure with the board for the first time may, following receipt of a letter of authorization to perform as a “physical therapist license applicant,” perform as a physical therapist under the direct and immediate supervision of a physical therapist licensed in this state pending the results of the first licensing examination administered for which he or she is eligible following graduation from an approved physical therapist education program. During this period the applicant shall identify himself or herself only as a “physical therapist license applicant.” If the applicant passes the examination, the physical therapist license applicant status shall remain in effect until a regular renewable license is issued, or licensure is denied, by the board. If the applicant fails the licensing examination, or if he or she passes the examination but licensure is denied, the applicant shall be prohibited from performing as a physical therapist license applicant at any time in the future.
(a) (1) Every graduate of an approved physical therapy education program who has filed a complete application, as defined in regulation, for licensure with the board and has been awarded either physical therapist license applicant status or physical therapist assistant license applicant status shall practice under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist pursuant to this chapter for no more than 120 days pending the results of the first licensing examination administered. If the applicant passes the examination, the physical therapist license applicant status or physical therapist assistant license applicant status shall remain in effect until a regular renewable license is issued, or licensure is denied, by the board. A supervising physical therapist shall document receipt of the letter authorizing the physical therapist license applicant status or physical therapist assistant license applicant status and record the expiration date of that status in the employee record. A supervising physical therapist shall require the applicant to provide documentation of the license issued at the conclusion of the physical therapist license applicant status or physical therapist assistant license applicant status. During this period the applicant shall identify himself or herself only as “physical therapist license applicant” or “physical therapist assistant license applicant,” as appropriate.
A person shall not be considered a graduate unless he or she has successfully completed all the clinical training and internships required for graduation from the program.
(2) A person shall not be considered a graduate unless he or she has successfully completed all the clinical training and internship required for graduation from the education program.
If the applicant fails to take the next succeeding examination without due cause or fails to pass the examination or receive a license, all privileges under this section shall terminate upon notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. An applicant may only qualify once to perform as a physical therapist license applicant.
(b) A physical therapist license applicant who has been awarded license applicant status may perform as a physical therapist if he or she is under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed by the board. A physical therapist assistant license applicant who has been awarded license applicant status may perform as a physical therapist assistant if he or she is under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed by the board. The applicant shall comply with any requirements applicable to the license for which he or she applied. An applicant may not perform in those capacities if he or she fails the first examination attempt.
Official source: California Legislative Information. Reproduced from public-domain California statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.