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Oklahoma Administrative Code (Last Updated: March 11, 2021) |
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TITLE 435. State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision |
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Chapter 20. Physical Therapists and Assistants |
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Subchapter 3. Licensure of Physical Therapists and Assistants |
SECTION 435:20-3-1.1. Training outside the U.S.
Latest version.
- (a) Pursuant to requirements set out in Title 59 O.S. § 887.6, a foreign-educated physical therapist whose native language is not English shall submit evidence of having passed the:(1) Test of:(A) English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 560 or 220 computer equivalent; and(B) Spoken English (TSE) with a score of at least 50; and(C) Written English (TWE) with a score of at least 4.5 or(2) Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) with a total score of at least 89 and:(A) a score of at least 24 on the Writing section(B) a score of at least 26 on the Speaking section(C) a score of at least 21 on the Reading section(D) a score of at least 18 on the Listening section.(b) A foreign-educated physical therapist applying for licensure in the State of Oklahoma shall submit verification of the equivalency of the applicant's education to that attained by entry-level graduates training the United States at the time of graduation.(c) Assessment of equivalency may be performed by a professional education credentials service approved by the Board using the following standards:(1) Graduation on or before May 31, 2001:(A) The minimum equivalent education credentials of a foreign educated physical therapist should be a bachelor's degree in physical therapy with all credits being earned at an institution of higher learning that confers at least a bachelor's degree in physical therapy which is approved by the country's Ministry of Education/Health.(B) The minimum number of semester hour credits should be one-hundred-twenty (120). A semester hour credit is equal to fifteen (15) hours of classroom instruction per semester. For courses with laboratory component, a semester hour credit is also equal to thirty (30) hours of laboratory instruction per semester. For clinical courses, a semester hour credit is equal to forty-eight (48) hours of clinical instruction per semester.(i) Fifty (50) semester hour credits shall be the minimum number required in general education.(ii) The applicant has the opportunity to meet the objective of one hundred twenty (120) semester hour credits by utilizing additional elective credits in either general or professional education beyond the minimal requirements.(iii) Sixty (60) semester hour credits shall be the minimum required in professional education. A grade of "C" or better will be required in each professional education course.(2) Graduation after May 31, 2001:(A) The minimum equivalent education credentials of a foreign educated physical therapist should be a master's degree in physical therapy with all credits being earned at an institution of higher learning that confers at least a master's degree in physical therapy which is approved by the country's Ministry of Education/Health.(B) The minimum number of semester hour credits should one-hundred-seventy (170). A semester hour credit is equal to fifteen (15) hours of classroom instruction per semester. For courses with laboratory component, a semester hour credit is also equal to thirty (30) hours of laboratory instruction per semester. For clinical courses, a semester hour credit is equal to forty-eight (48) hours of clinical instruction per semester.(i) Ninety (90) semester hour credits shall be the minimum number required in general education.(ii) The applicant has the opportunity to meet the objective of one-hundred-seventy (170) semester hour credits by utilizing additional elective credits in either general or professional education beyond the minimal requirements.(iii) Eighty (80) semester hour credits shall be the minimum required in professional education. A grade of "C" or better will be required in each professional education course.(3) Minimum course requirements.(A) General education. A minimum of one semester course must be successfully completed in each category of general education unless otherwise noted.(i) Humanities(I) English(II) English composition(III) Speech or oral communication(IV) Foreign language (other than native language)(V) Literature(VI) Art(VII) Music(ii) Physical science: A one semester course in chemistry and a one semester course in physics must be successfully completed.(I) Chemistry with laboratory (Organic or Inorganic)(II) Physics with laboratory(III) Geology(IV) Astronomy(iii) Biological science(I) Biology(II) Anatomy(III) Physiology(IV) Zoology(V) Kinesiology(VI) Neuroscience(VII) Genetics(iv) Social science(I) History(II) Geography(III) Sociology(IV) Economics(V) Government(VI) Religion(v) Behavioral science(I) Psychology(II) Anthropology(III) Philosophy(IV) Ethics(vi) Mathematics(I) Statistics(II) Algebra(III) Pre-calculus(IV) Calculus(V) Trigonometry(VI) Geometry(B) Professional education.(i) Basic health sciences: A minimum of one semester course is required in each of the following topics.(I) Human anatomy (specific to physical therapy)(II) Human physiology (specific to physical therapy)(III) Neurological science(IV) Kinesiology or functional anatomy(V) Psychology(VI) Pathology(ii) Clinical sciences: The essential element of physical therapy education is teaching the student to assess and treat appropriately across the spectrum of age. Therefore any education course work should contain all of the following:(I) Clinical medicine pertinent to physical therapy. This should include but not be limited to: neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics.(II) Physical therapy course work to include but not limited to: physical agents, musculoskeletal assessment and treatment, neuromuscular assessment and treatment, cardiopulmonary assessment and treatment.(iii) Clinical education: Clinical education must include physical therapist-supervised demonstrated application of physical therapy theories, techniques, and procedures. The applicant must have a minimum of two (2) clinical affiliations of no less the 800 hours total which are supervised by a physical therapist.(iv) Related professional course work: A minimum of three (3) semester courses are required from the following topics in related professional course work - professional ethics, administration, community health, research, education techniques, and medical terminology.(d) Pursuant to 59 O.S. § 887.6, foreign-educated physical therapists applying for licensure must submit verification of having successfully completed an eight-hundred (800) hour (at least 120 days) interim supervised clinical practice period under the continuous and immediate supervision of an Oklahoma licensed physical therapist. The Board will issue an interim permit to the applicant for the purpose of participating in the supervised clinical practice period. The time period of an initial interim permit shall not exceed six (6) months.(1) The interim supervised clinical practice period must be completed in Oklahoma at a facility that serves as a clinical education facility for students enrolled in an accredited program education physical therapists or physical therapist assistants in Oklahoma.(2) The supervising physical therapist shall submit an evaluation of the applicant's performance at the end of four-hundred (400) hours of supervision. A final report will be submitted at the end of the second four-hundred (400) hours of supervision. These reports will be submitted on forms or evaluation tools determined by the Board.(3) If the applicant's performance is unsatisfactory during the supervision period, or the applicant ceases working at the training facility for any reason, the supervising physical therapist must notify the Board in writing within five (5) working days.(4) If the interim supervised clinical practice period is not satisfactorily completed within a six-month period, the Board may issue a second interim permit for an additional six month period. A third permit will not be issued.(e) The interim supervised clinical practice period may be waived for foreign-educated physical therapists at the discretion of the Board, if:(1) the applicant for licensure is able to verify the successful completion of one (1) year of clinical practice in the United States or the District of Columbia, or(2) the applicant is able to document exceptional expertise acceptable to the Board in the fields of research, education, or clinical practice.(f) The interim supervised clinical practice period may be shortened for foreign-educated physical therapists at the discretion of the Board.