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New York PT Continuing Education

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

Physical Therapists: PTs licensed in New York are required to complete thirty-Six (36) hours of continuing education every three (3) years.

New Licensees:  During the initial phase-in period, the number of hours necessary is pro-rated at one-half hour per month.

Physical Therapy Assistants: PTAs licensed in New York are required to complete thirty-Six (36) hours of continuing education every three (3) years.

When are the CE requirements due?

Expiration date listed on the license.

How is credit hour defined?

One (1) contact hour is at least fifty (50) minutes.

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

No.

Are there any specific courses that must be taken?

No.

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

Activity

Credit Hours

Successful completion of a credit-bearing course at a higher education institution:

  • Must be in an approved subject area.

Fifteen (15) continuing education hours per course credit hour, i.e., a three (3) credit course = forty-five (45) continuing education hours.

Teaching a credit-bearing course in a higher education institution:

  • Must be in an approved subject area
  • Must meet the requirements of regulations, i.e., the licensee is teaching the course for the first time or is presenting new or revised material.

For every in-class contact hour, two (2) hours of continuing education may be awarded (this includes the two (2) hour preparation time allowed in regulation).

Presenting a continuing education course for an approved provider:

  • Must be in an approved subject matter area;
  • Must meet the requirements of regulations, i.e., the licensee is teaching the course for the first time or is presenting new or revised material.

For every in-class contact hour, two (2) hours of continuing education credit may be awarded (this includes the two (2) hour preparation time allowed in regulation).

Authoring an article published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Fifteen (15) continuing education hours.

Authoring a chapter in a published book.

Fifteen (15) hours of continuing education per chapter.

Editing a multiple-author published book.

Fifteen (15) hours of continuing education

Professional specialty certification culminating in the passage of the certification examination; recertification.

Ten (10) hours of continuing education for initial certification; Five (5) hours for recertification.

Supervision of a student (clinical instructor).

Quarter-hour (.25) hours of continuing education for each two (2) week period of supervision per student, capped at six (6) hours per three-year registration period.

Test of knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations of New York relating to the practice of physical therapy.

Two (2) hours of continuing education.

Clinical residency/fellowship – Twelve (12) month duration.

Thirty-six (36) hours of continuing education.

A peer-reviewed poster or platform research presentation.

Five (5) hours of continuing education.

Hours of credit assigned by provider: Fifty (50) minutes = one hour of continuing education credit:

  • Includes self-study which must be provided by an approved provider.

Fifty (50) minutes = one (1) hour of continuing education.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):

  • Effective April 1, 2011, credit will be granted only for courses that include AED instruction; certification must be given by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross;
  • Courses taken prior to April 1, 2011 that are given by an approved provider will be accepted and awarded the number of hours given by that provider.

Two (2) continuing education hours.

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

The subject matter must contribute to your professional and clinical skills and have as its focus:

    • Activities that enhance knowledge and skill in examination, evaluation, prognosis and planning, intervention, re-examination, prevention and outcomes in physical therapy;
    • Clinical interventions/evidence-based models, and philosophy and principles of physical therapy;
    • Patient communications, recordkeeping, and reimbursement issues;
    • General supervision and business practices;
    • Pedagogical methodologies or other topics which contribute to the professional practice of physical therapy; or
    • Matters relating to health care, law, and/or ethics which contribute to professional practice in physical therapy and the health, safety and/or welfare of the public.

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

The department shall deem approved as a sponsor of continuing education to licensed physical therapists or physical therapist assistants in the form of courses of learning or self-study programs:

    • A national physical therapy organization or other professional organization, acceptable to the department, that fosters good practice in the physical therapy professions, in the nation as a whole and/or a region of the nation;
    • A New York State physical therapy organization, acceptable to the department, that is incorporated or otherwise organized in New York State that fosters good practice in the physical therapy professions in the State of New York as a whole and/or a region of the State of New York;
    • A national organization of jurisdictional boards of physical therapy that promotes and protects the health, safety and welfare of the public and fosters good practice in the physical therapy professions;
    • An entity, hospital or health facility defined in section 2801 of the Public Health Law; and
    • A higher education institution.

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

Courses not approved by a Board approved sponsor.

Any continuing education designed for the sole purpose of maximizing profits for the practice of a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant shall not be considered by the department as acceptable continuing education.

What are the reporting requirements?

Therapists and Assistants will be required to attest on your Registration Renewal Document that you completed the required continuing education hours.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

Each licensee shall maintain, or ensure access by the department to, a record of completed continuing education, which includes: the title of the course if a course, the type of educational activity if an educational activity, the subject of the continuing education, the number of hours of continuing education completed, the sponsor's name and any identifying number (if applicable), attendance verification if a course, participation verification if another educational activity, a copy of any article or book for which continuing education credit is claimed with proof of publication, and the date and location of the continuing education.

Records shall be retained for at least six (6) years from the date of completion of the continuing education and shall be made available for review by the department in the administration of the requirements of this section.

What happens if I am audited?

If audited, licensees must provide records of completion for each approved continuing education course or activity.

References

NYCCR §77.10

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