49 Pa. Code § 40.20 - Inactive status of physical therapist license

(a) A physical therapist license will become inactive upon either of the following:

(1) The licensee in writing affirmatively requests the Board to place licensure on inactive status. Written confirmation of inactive status will be forwarded to the licensee.

(2) The licensee fails to renew the license by the expiration of the renewal period.

(b) A licensee whose license has expired or been placed on inactive status may not practice as a physical therapist in this Commonwealth until the license has been reactivated. A licensee who practices the profession in this Commonwealth after the license has expired and before it has been renewed or reactivated is subject to disciplinary action under sections 4(a) and 11(a)(6) of the act (63 P.S. §§ 1304(a) and 1311(a)(6)), as set forth in § 40.52(11) (relating to unprofessional conduct; physical therapists). A licensee who has engaged in practice during a period in which the license was not active may be subject to criminal prosecution under section 12 of the act (63 P.S. § 1312).

(c) To reactivate an inactive license, the licensee shall apply on forms supplied by the Board, answering all questions fully. The licensee shall:

(1) Include the documentation required under § 40.67(b) (relating to continuing education for licensed physical therapist) for the immediately preceding biennium, which may be completed during the current biennium. Unless waived by the Board under § 40.67(a)(4), the Board will not reactivate a license until the required continuing education for the preceding biennium has been successfully completed.

(2) Pay the current renewal fee and the reactivation application fee specified in § 40.5 (relating to fees).

(3) Verify that the licensee did not practice as a physical therapist in this Commonwealth while the license was inactive.

(d) A licensee who does not make the verification required under subsection (c)(3) shall also pay prior biennial renewal fees and late fees as required under this subsection. Unless previously paid, the licensee shall pay the renewal fee for each biennial renewal period after the license became inactive and during which the licensee practiced as a physical therapist in this Commonwealth. The licensee shall also pay a late fee of $5 per month or part of the month from the first date the licensee practiced as a physical therapist in this Commonwealth after the license became inactive until the date the licensee files a fully-completed reactivation application. The applicant for license reactivation will not be assessed a fee or penalty for preceding biennial periods in which the licensee did not engage in practice as a physical therapist in this Commonwealth. Payment of a late fee does not preclude the Board from taking disciplinary action for practicing as a physical therapist without a current license.

(e) In addition to the other requirements of this section, a licensee whose license has been inactive for 5 years or more shall demonstrate current competence to practice as a physical therapist by at least one of the following:

(1) Successful completion of the licensure examination required under § 40.13 (relating to areas of examination) and section 6(b) of the act (63 P.S. § 1306(b)).

(2) Satisfaction of the requirements in § 40.16 (relating to licensure by endorsement) and proof of licensed practice of physical therapy in one or more other jurisdictions of the United States or Canada for at least 36 months of the 5 years immediately preceding application for reactivation.

Notes

49 Pa. Code § 40.20

The provisions of this § 40.20 adopted December 21, 2012, effective 12/22/2012, 42 Pa.B. 7652; amended May 18, 2018, effective 5/19/2018, 48 Pa.B. 2947.

The provisions of this § 40.20 issued under 3(a) of the Physical Therapy Practice Act (63 P. S. § 1303(a)); and section 16 of the act of July 4, 2008 (P. L. 293, No. 38); amended under sections 3(a), 4(a), 6, 7.2, 9.1 and 11(a) of the Physical Therapy Practice Act (63 P.S. §§ 1303(a), 1304(a), 1306, 1307.2, 1309.1 and 1311(a)).

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 40.67 (relating to continuing education for licensed physical therapist); and 49 Pa. Code § 43b.26 (relating to schedule of civil penalties-physical therapists and physical therapist assistants).