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

Physical Therapists: PTs licensed in Montana must obtain thirty (30) hours/credits of CE in each two (2) year period prior to the renewal date in odd-numbered years.

New Licensees: Licensees renewing for the first time are exempt from CE requirements.

Physical Therapy Assistants: PTAs licensed in Montana must obtain thirty (30) hours/credits of CE in each two (2) year period prior to the renewal date in odd-numbered years.

How is CE hour defined?

Sixty (60) minutes of instruction equals one CE hour/credit.

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

N/A

Are there any specific courses that must be taken?

N/A

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

Category A Activities

A minimum of fifteen (15) of the thirty (30) CE hours/credits must be obtained in this category in each two-year cycle: CE courses, physical therapy clinical specialty certification coursework, physical therapy clinical residency coursework, and postgraduate physical therapy education, including, but not limited to, post-doctor of physical therapy course work. The postgraduate physical therapy course work must be passed with a grade of "C" or higher or "pass" if a "pass/fail" course. Category A activities are distinguished from category B activities in that they are approved or offered CE hours/credits by one of the following, whether classroom-based, online, or home study:

• An accredited medical, physical therapy, or healthcare education program;
• A national or state medical, physical therapy, or healthcare board or association, or a component of that board or association; or
• A national, medical, physical therapy, or healthcare specialty society.

Category B Activities

Up to fifteen (15) of the thirty (30) CE credits may be obtained in this category in each two (2) year cycle:

• Any course pertaining to physical therapy, but not approved or offered through an accredited medical, physical therapy, and/or healthcare education program;
• Teaching or lecturing principally for healthcare professionals, if teaching or lecturing is not the licensee's primary occupation. One (1) CE credit may be granted per one hour of lecture or teaching. Max hour/credit five (5);
• Current membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Max hour/credit one (1);
• Performing as an APTA-certified clinical instructor in each two (2) year cycle. Max hour/credit five (5);
• Performing clinical mentoring in a credential clinical residency or fellowship program. Max hour/credit five (5);
• Being a recognized committee member or serving on the Montana Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, the board of the Montana Chapter of American Physical Therapy Association (MAPTA), or nationally on the board of the APTA or the FSBPT in each two (2) year cycle. Max hour/credit five (5);
• Being published in an area that pertains to physical therapy, if publishing is not a requirement for a licensee's primary occupation. Max hour/credit five (5);
• Taking and passing the jurisprudence exam in each two (2) year cycle. Max hour/credit one (1); and
• Taking and satisfactorily completing the FSBPT's current competency evaluation tool(s). Max hour/credit one (1).

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

Maximum fifteen (15) hours of Category B.

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

Activities excluded from CE credits include staff meetings, teaching physical therapy-related courses when teaching is the licensee's primary occupation, regularly scheduled institutional activities such as rounds or case conferences, and repeating or retaking an activity and/or coursework.

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

The board/staff does not preapprove any activities or sponsors for CE credits. All accepted CE hours/credits in category A must meet the standards set by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) or the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). It is the responsibility of the licensee to select programs that contribute to knowledge and competence in the physical therapy field, and meet the qualifications specified in this rule.

What are the reporting requirements?

N/A

How long must continuing education records be retained?

Licensees must establish and maintain detailed records of completed CE in the form of programs and certificates of attendance and make the records available upon board request.

Waiver

N/A

Audit

The board may randomly audit up to 50% percent of renewed licensees in each odd-numbered year.

References

Mont. Admin. R. 24.177.2105