Bill > H536

This bill modifies North Carolina's Physical Therapy Practice Act by making several key changes to the regulation of physical therapy professionals. The bill updates the definition of physical therapy to include specific standards of practice and educational requirements, and modifies the composition of the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners by changing the nominating organization from the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association to the American Physical Therapy Association North Carolina (APTANC). The bill expands the Board's powers to include more detailed disciplinary actions, investigation procedures, and ethical standards, and introduces more specific requirements for licensure, including mandatory criminal background checks and consent. The legislation also clarifies the renewal process for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licenses, specifying a renewal period from November 1 through January 31, and adds provisions for new graduates and non-CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education) educated applicants. Additionally, the bill updates grounds for disciplinary action, adds a new ethical violation standard, and establishes a clear fee schedule for various licensure-related services. The changes aim to enhance professional standards, protect public safety, and provide more comprehensive regulation of physical therapy practice in North Carolina, with the new provisions set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H536