How many continuing education hours are required during a reporting period?

Physical Therapists: PTs licensed in Michigan must complete twenty-four (24) professional development requirement (PDR) credits every two (2) years.

New Licensees: The requirements of this rule do not apply to a licensee during his or her initial licensure cycle.

Physical Therapy Assistants: PTAs licensed in Michigan must complete twenty-four (24) professional development requirement (PDR) credits every two (2) years.

How is credit hour defined?

A presentation shall not be less than fifty (50) minutes in length.

How long is the reporting period?

Biennial.

Can CE credits be carried over into the next reporting period?

No.

Are there any specific requirements for continuing education?

A licensee shall earn at least one (1) PDR credit in the area of pain and symptom management by completing a continuing education program or activity. Credits in pain and symptom management may include, but are not limited to, courses in behavior management, psychology of pain, pharmacology, behavior modification, stress management, clinical applications, and drug interventions as they relate to the practice of physical therapy.

Training for identifying victims of human trafficking

An individual seeking licensure or license renewal shall complete training in identifying victims of human trafficking that meets all the following standards:

Training content shall cover all of the following:

• Understanding the types and venues of human trafficking in the United States.
• Identifying victims of human trafficking in health care settings.
• Identifying the warning signs of human trafficking in health care settings for adults and minors.
• Identifying resources for reporting suspected victims of human trafficking.

Acceptable providers or methods of training including any of the following:

• Training offered by a nationally recognized or state recognized, health-related organization.
• Training offered by, or in conjunction with, a state or federal agency.
• Training in an educational program that has been approved by the advisory committee for initial license or registration, or by a college or university.
• Reading an article related to the identification of human trafficking that meets the content standards above and is published in a peer review journal, health care journal, or professional or scientific article.

Acceptable modalities of training including any of the following:

• Teleconference or webinar.
• Online presentation.
• Live presentation.
• Printed or electronic media.

The department may select and audit a sample of individuals and request documentation of proof of completion of training. If audited by the department, an individual shall provide an acceptable proof of completion of training, including either of the following:

• Proof of completion certificate issued by the training provider that includes the date, provider name, name of training, and individual’s name.
• A self-certification statement by an individual. The certification statement shall include the individual’s name and either of the following:

o   For training completed, the date, training provider name, and name of training.

o   For training completed, the title of the article, author, publication name of peer review journal, health care journal, or professional or scientific journal, and date, volume, and issue of publication, as applicable.

The requirements apply to license renewal beginning with the first renewal cycle and for initial or licenses issued five (5) or more years after the promulgation of this rule (2017).

What types of activities can be used for the continuing education requirements?

Approved Education Program

Description	Completing an approved continuing education program or activity related to the practice of physical therapy or any non-clinical subject relevant to the practice of physical therapy
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of a letter or certificate of completion showing the licensee’s name, number of credits earned, sponsor name or the name of the organization that approved the program or activity for continuing education credit, and the date or dates on which the program was held or activity completed.
Hours Earned	When the sponsor or approving organization calculates credit at a rate of 0.1 credit for every 50 to 60 minutes of continuous instruction, then 0.1 credit equals 1 PDR credit.
Maximum	Twenty (20) PDR credits.

Post Graduate Academic Course

Description	Passing a postgraduate academic course related to the practice of physical therapy offered by either of the following: An accredited physical therapist educational program that meets the standards in R 338.7131. An accredited physical therapist assistant educational program that meets the standards in R 338.7141. A nationally accredited university or college.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of the transcript showing credit hours of the academic courses related to physical therapy.
Hours Earned	Fifteen (15) PDR credits for each semester credit earned and ten (10) PDR credits for each quarter or term credit earned.
Maximum	A maximum of twenty (20) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Article Related to Physical Therapy

Description	Reading an article related to the practice of physical therapy in a professional or scientific journal.  To receive credit, a licensee shall successfully complete an evaluation that was provided with the article or the general response form provided by the department as an evaluative component for this activity.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit documentation from the professional or scientific journal or a copy of the completed general response form to verify that he or she completed an evaluation.
Hours Earned	One (1) PDR credit for each article.
Maximum	A maximum of six (6) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Professional Education Media

Description	Viewing or listening to media devoted to professional education related to the practice of physical therapy, other than on-line programs, that was not approved or offered for continuing education credit.  To receive credit, a licensee shall successfully complete an evaluation that was provided with the educational media or the general response form provided by the department as an evaluative component for this activity.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of the completed evaluation or completed general response form to verify that he or she completed an evaluation.
Hours Earned	One half of 1 PDR credit is granted for every 30 minutes of continuous instruction.
Maximum	A maximum of six (6) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Presenting a Continuing Education Program

Description	Presenting a continuing education program related to the practice of physical therapy.  To receive credit, the presentation shall be approved or offered for continuing education credit.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a letter from the program sponsor confirming the licensee as the presenter and the presentation date and time, or a copy of the presentation notice or advertisement showing the date of the presentation, the licensee’s name listed as a presenter, and the name of the organization that approved or offered the presentation for continuing education credit.
Hours Earned	Two (2) PDR credits for each fifty (50) to sixty (60) minutes of presentation, which includes credit granted for preparation. A presentation shall not be less than fifty (50) minutes in length and credit for a presentation shall be granted only once in each renewal period.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Presenting a Scientific Exhibit or Scientific Paper

Description	Presenting a scientific exhibit or scientific paper accepted for presentation through a peer review process at a state, regional, national, or international physical therapy conference, or its components, or a related professional organization.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of the document presented with evidence of presentation or a letter from the program sponsor verifying the exhibit or paper was accepted for presentation through a peer review process and the date of the presentation
Hours Earned	Two (2) PDR credits for each presentation, which includes credit granted for preparation, and credit for a presentation shall be granted only once in each renewal period.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Writing an Article

Description	Writing an article related to the practice, education, or research of physical therapy that is published in any of the following: The journal of a national physical therapy association or its components. A peer-reviewed journal. A health care journal. A professional or scientific journal
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of the publication that identifies the licensee as the author of the article or a publication acceptance letter.
Hours Earned	Six (6) PDR credits for each article, which includes credit granted for preparation, and credit for each article shall be granted only once in each renewal period.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Writing a Chapter

Description	Writing a chapter related to the practice, education, or research of physical therapy that is published in a book.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of the publication that identifies the licensee as the author of the chapter or a publication acceptance letter.
Hours Earned	Six (6) PDR credits for each chapter, which includes credit granted for preparation, and credit for each chapter shall be granted only once in each renewal period.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Professional Certification

Description	Successfully completing one (1) of the following: An American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABTS) certification examination. An ABTS recertification examination. An ABTS professional development portfolio for recertification. A specialty certification examination or recertification examination offered or approved by an organization approved by the board.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit proof of certification or recertification.
Hours Earned	Twenty-three (23) PDR credits per certification.
Maximum	A maximum of twenty-three (23) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Postgraduate Clinical Training

Description	Participating as a student for a minimum of 1,000 hours in any of the following: A postgraduate clinical training program related to the practice of physical therapy provided through or recognized by an accredited physical therapist educational program that meets the standards in R 338.7131. A postgraduate clinical training program related to the practice of physical therapy provided through or recognized by an accredited physical therapist assistant educational program that meets the standards in R 338.7141. A postgraduate clinical training program related to the practice of physical therapy offered through a health care organization accredited by an organization recognized by the center for Medicare and Medicaid services. A postgraduate clinical training program related to the practice of physical therapy that is accredited or credentialed by the APTA or an organization approved by the board.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a letter from the program director verifying the number of hours the licensee participated in the clinical training program and that the program was provided, offered, or accredited by an educational program or organization that meets the requirements of this rule.
Hours Earned	Twelve PDR credits are granted for 1,000 hours of participation.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Clinical Instructor for Students

Description	Serving as a clinical instructor or clinical supervisor for students completing an internship, residency, or fellowship program that is recognized or approved by any of the following: An accredited educational program for physical therapists that meets the standards in R 338.7131. An accredited educational program for physical therapist assistants that meets the standards in R 338.7141. The APTA or an organization approved by the board.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a letter from the educational program or clinical agency director verifying the licensee’s role, the number of hours of instruction or supervision provided by the licensee, and that the internship, residency, or fellowship program is recognized or approved by an educational program or organization.
Hours Earned	Three (3) PDR credits for forty (40) hours of clinical instruction or supervision.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Serving as a Guest Instructor

Description	Serving as a guest instructor of students, staff, or other licensees at any of the following: A clinical training program related to the practice of physical therapy provided through or recognized by an accredited or developing physical therapist educational program that satisfies the standards under R 338.7131. A clinical training program related to the practice of physical therapy provided through or recognized by an accredited or developing physical therapist assistant educational program that satisfies the standards under R 338.7141. A clinical training program related to the practice of physical therapy offered through a healthcare organization accredited by an organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A clinical training program related to the practice of physical therapy accredited or credentialed by APTA or an organization approved by the board.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall provide a letter from the program director verifying the licensee’s role, the number of instructional sessions on specific subjects provided by the licensee, and the length of the instructional sessions. Also, the letter must verify that the clinical training program provided, offered, or accredited by an educational program or organization satisfies the requirements.
Hours Earned	Two (2) PDR credits are granted for every fifty (50) minutes of continuous instruction.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Serving as Clinical Instructor

Description	Serving as a clinical instructor or clinical supervisor for students completing an internship, residency, or fellowship program that recognized or approved by any of the following: An accredited or developing educational program for physical therapists that satisfies the standards under R 338.7131. An accredited or developing educational program for physical therapist assistants that satisfies the standards under R 338.7141. APTA or an organization approved by the board.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall provide a letter from the educational program or clinical agency director verifying the licensee’s role, the number of hours of instruction or supervision provided by the licensee, and that the internship, residency, or fellowship program is recognized or approved by an educational program or organization that satisfies the requirements.
Hours Earned	Three (3) PDR credits are granted for forty (40) hours of clinical instruction or supervision.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Identifying, Researching, and Addressing an Event or Issue

Description	Identifying, researching, and addressing an event or issue related to professional practice.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall provide a completed experiential activity form provided by the department for each issue or event.
Hours Earned	One (1) PDR credit is granted for each separate event or issue.
Maximum	A maximum of six (6) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Participation on a Board or Committee

Description	Participating on an international, national, regional, state, state component, or local task force, committee, board, council, or association related to the field of physical therapy that is considered acceptable by the board. A task force, committee, board, council, or association is considered acceptable if it enhances the participant’s knowledge and understanding of the field of physical therapy.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit documentation verifying the licensee’s participation in at least 50% of the regularly scheduled meetings of the task force, committee, board, council, or association.
Hours Earned	Four (4) PDR credits for participation on each task force, committee, board, council, or association.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Participating as a Surveyor

Description	Participating as a surveyor for an external agency in a program involving the accreditation, certification, or inspection of an educational program for physical therapists or physical therapist assistants or a certification process for a clinical agency.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a letter from the accreditation, certification, or inspection program verifying the licensee’s participation, the location of the inspections, and the number of hours the licensee spent participating as a surveyor.
Hours Earned	One (1) PDR credit for each fifty (50) to sixty (60) minutes of participation.
Maximum	A maximum of twelve (12) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Center Coordinator

Description	Serving as a center coordinator of clinical education at an agency that provides clinical internships for students enrolled in programs that are recognized or approved by either of the following: An accredited educational program for physical therapists. An accredited educational program for physical therapist assistants.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a letter from the educational program or clinical agency director verifying the licensee’s role and that students were placed and participated in the internship program during the time for which the licensee is claiming PDR credit.
Hours Earned	Two (2) PDR credits per year.
Maximum	A maximum of four (4) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Volunteer Work

Description	Performing volunteer work related to the field of physical therapy without reimbursement in a public or nonprofit entity.
Documentation	If audited, a licensee shall submit a letter from an official at the public or nonprofit entity verifying the number of hours and the type of volunteer work performed by the licensee.
Hours Earned	One (1) PDR credit for each fifty (50) to sixty (60) minutes of volunteer work performed.
Maximum	A maximum of six (6) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

FSBPT Practice Review Tool

Description	Completing the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) practice review tool.
Documentation	To receive credit, a licensee shall submit documentation from the FSBPT verifying completion of the practice review tool.
Hours Earned	Three (3) PDR credits are granted for each completion.
Maximum	A maximum of three (3) PDR credits may be earned for this activity in each renewal period.

Are there limitations on the types of courses that can be taken?

No more than twelve (12) PDR credits shall be earned for approved online continuing education programs or activities during one twenty-four (24) hour period.

A licensee shall not earn PDR credit for a continuing education program or activity that is identical or substantially identical to a program or activity for which the licensee has already earned credit for during that renewal period.

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

A continuing education program or activity is approved, regardless of the format in which it is offered, if it is approved or offered for continuing education credit by any of the following:

• Another state board of physical therapy;
• The Michigan Board of Medicine;
• The Michigan board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery;
• The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy;
• The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) or its components:
• An accredited physical therapist educational program that meets the standards in R 338.7131;
• An accredited physical therapist assistant educational program that meets the standards in R 338.7141

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

N/A

What are the reporting requirements?

Submission of an application for renewal shall constitute the applicant’s certification of compliance with the CE requirements.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

A PT or PTA must retain documentation of meeting the requirements of this rule for a period of four (4) years from the date of applying for license renewal.

Reference

Mich. Admin. Code R. 338.7126