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North Carolina Physical Therapy Continuing Education Requirements |
Updated 8/20/2024
How many continuing education hours are required during a reporting period?
Physical therapists licensed in North Carolina must complete thirty (30) points of CE every two (2) years.
Physical therapy assistants licensed in North Carolina must complete twenty (20) points of CE every two (2) years.
New Licensees
New PT licensees in NC are assigned to the continuing competence reporting period that begins on January 1st following the date of first licensure.
How long is the reporting period?
A twenty-five (25) month period commencing on January 1st during which the licensee must complete all continuing competence requirements.
When are CE requirements due?
January 31st.
How is contact hour defined?
"Contact Hour" means at least fifty (50) consecutive minutes of engagement in a continuing competence activity.
Two segments of at least twenty-five (25) consecutive minutes each is equivalent to one (1) contact hour. Breaks and meals are not included in contact hours.
Can CE credits be carried over into the next reporting period?
Up to ten (10) extra points earned during one reporting period may be carried over to the next reporting period.
Points earned for the Jurisprudence Exercise, Clinical Practice and Self-Assessment categories may not be carried forward.
Are there any specific requirements for continuing education?
During each reporting period, every licensee shall complete a jurisprudence exercise provided by the Board. The jurisprudence exercise shall be available online at the Board's website, at http://www.ncptboard.org and a certificate of completion shall be issued to a licensee at the conclusion of the exercise, at which time one point shall be awarded to the licensee.
The maximum number of points allowed during a reporting period is three (3).
What types of activities can be used for the continuing education requirements?
|
Activity |
Documentation |
Hours |
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Live Courses or Conferences A registered attendee at courses or conferences offered live in real time by approved providers. Credit shall not be given for the same course or conference more than once during any reporting period. |
The licensee shall retain the Certificate of Attendance issued by the approved provider. |
Earns one (1) point for each contact hour. The maximum twenty-nine (29) points allowed during any reporting period. The maximum fifteen (15) points allowed during any reporting period for an interactive course offered through electronic media. |
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Academic Courses For registered participation in an academic course related to physical therapy offered for credit in a post-baccalaureate program unless the course is required for licensure. The licensee shall obtain a letter grade of "C" or better, or "P" if offered on a pass/fail basis. |
The licensee shall retain a transcript published by the approved provider or furnished by the academic institution. |
One (1) semester hour earns fifteen (15) points, and the maximum twenty-nine (29) points allowed during any reporting period. Credit shall not be given for the same course more than one time. |
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Activity with no Assessment For attendance or participation in an activity related to physical therapy for which no assessment is received. |
The licensee shall retain a certificate of completion, or if that is not available, a summary of the objectives of the activity and the time spent in the activity. |
Two (2) contact hours earns one (1) point. The maximum five (5) points during any reporting period. Credit shall not be given for the same activity more than one (1) time. |
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Non-Interactive Course For registered participation in a non-interactive course offered by an approved provider by videotape, satellite transmission, webcast, DVD, or other electronic media. |
The licensee shall retain a certificate of completion provided by the course provider. |
One (1) hour of participation earns one (1) point. The maximum ten (10) points allowed during any reporting period. Credit shall not be given for the same course more than once a reporting period. |
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Group Study For participation in a study group consisting of at least three (3) licensees conducted either live or in real time through electronic media, whose purpose is to advance the knowledge and skills of the participants related to the practice of physical therapy. |
The licensee shall retain a biography of each participant, a statement of the goals of the study group, attendance records for each participant, assignments for each participant and an analysis by each participant specifying the knowledge and skills enhanced by participating in the study group. |
Two (2) hours of participation in the study group earns one point. The maximum ten (10) points allowed during any reporting period. |
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Self-Designed Home Study For participation in a self-designed home study program for the purpose of advancing the knowledge and skill of the participant related to the practice of physical therapy. |
The licensee shall retain a description of the plans and objectives of the me study, an analysis of the manner in which the plans and objectives were met, and a certification of the time spent on the project. |
Three (3) hours of home study earns one (1) point. The maximum five (5) points allowed for home study during any reporting period. |
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Approved Home Study For completion of a home study physical therapy program furnished by an approved provider. |
The licensee shall retain a certificate of completion issued by the approved provider. |
One (1) hour of home study earns one (1) point. The maximum be ten (10) points during any reporting period. |
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Credentialed Residencies and Fellowships For participation in continuing education required by credentialed residencies and fellowships. |
The licensee shall retain the certificate of attendance issued by the American Physical Therapy Association ("APTA") credentialed residency or fellowship. |
One (1) point shall be granted for each contact hour. The maximum twenty-nine (29) points for each reporting period. |
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APTA Fellowships For fellowships conferred by organizations credentialed by the APTA in a specialty area of the practice of physical therapy. |
The licensee shall retain the certificate conferred on the licensee or evidence that all requirements of the fellowship program have been met. |
Ten (10) points shall be awarded for each full year of clinical participation. A maximum of twenty (20) points per reporting period. |
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APTA Residency Program For completion of a residency program in physical therapy offered by an APTA credentialed organization. |
The licensee shall retain the certificate conferred on the licensee or evidence that all requirements of the residency program have been met. |
Ten (10) points shall be awarded for each full year of clinical participation. A maximum of twenty (20) points per reporting period. |
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ABPTS For specialty certification or specialty recertification by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialization ("ABPTS"), For a physical therapist assistant, Advanced Proficiency designation by the APTA. |
The licensee shall retain evidence from ABPTS that the certification or recertification has been granted. |
PT: Twenty (20) points shall be awarded upon receipt of such certification or recertification during any reporting period. PTA: Nineteen (19) points per reporting period. The licensee shall retain evidence from APTA that the designation has been awarded. |
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Federation's Practice Review Tool Achieving a passing score on the Federation's Practice Review Tool ("PRT"). |
The licensee shall retain the certificate of completion and performance report. Points shall be awarded only one time for any specific practice area. |
Passing score earns ten (10) points. Taking the PRT without achieving a passing score earns five (5) points. |
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Credentialed Clinical Instructor Course For completion of a course offered by an approved provider for a licensee to become a Credentialed Clinical Instructor recognized by APTA. |
The licensee shall retain a credential certificate issued by the approved provider. Credit for completing the same course shall be given only once. |
One (1) course hour earns one (1) point. Maximum twenty-nine (29) points awarded during any reporting period. |
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Credentialed Clinical Instructor Trainer For enrollment in a course offered by APTA for a licensee to become a Credentialed Clinical Instructor Trainer. |
The licensee shall retain a Trainer certificate issued by APTA. Credit for completing the same course shall be given only once. |
One (1) course hour earns one (1) point. Maximum twenty-nine (29) points awarded during any reporting period. |
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Serving as a Clinical Instructor For serving as a Clinical Instructor for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant student, resident, or fellow for a period of at least eighty (80) hours. |
The licensee shall retain verification of the clinical affiliation agreement with the accredited educational program for the student supervised and a log showing the number of hours spent supervising the student. |
Forty (40) hours of direct on-site supervision earns one (1) point. The maximum eight (8) points awarded during any reporting period. |
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Presenting or Teaching Presenting or teaching for an accredited physical therapy educational program; a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy ("DPT") program; an accredited program for health care practitioners; or a state, national, or international workshop, seminar or professional health care conference. |
The licensee shall retain written materials advertising the presentation or teaching, or other evidence of the date, subject, goals and objectives of the presentation, and any written materials prepared by the licensee. |
Two (2) points for each hour of presentation or teaching. A maximum of six (6) points shall be allowed during any reporting period. Credit shall not be given for teaching or presenting the same subject matter more than one (1) time during any reporting period. |
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Professional Self-Assessment This exercise shall be approved if it is a process for a licensee to evaluate current professional practice abilities, to establish goals to improve those abilities, to develop a plan to meet those goals, and to document that the objectives are being accomplished. |
The licensee shall retain evidence of completion of all elements of the Reflective Practice Exercise. |
Five (5) points for completion of an approved Reflective Practice Exercise. Points shall be awarded only one (1) time during any reporting period. |
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Clinical Practice |
The licensee shall retain certification from the employer(s) for whom the services were performed including year and hours worked or document practice hours as the owner of a practice. |
For each year during the reporting period that a licensee is engaged in clinical practice:
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Workplace Education Presentation or attendance at an in-service session related to the practice of physical therapy, including health care issues related to the practice of physical therapy, shall be allowed. |
The licensee shall retain a roster or certificate of attendance signed by a representative of the employer. Credit for the same in-service shall not be granted more than one time. |
Two (2) hours of attendance earns one (1) point. One (1) hour of presentation earns one (1) point. A maximum of five (5) points may be earned during a reporting period. |
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In-Service Session Presentation or attendance at an in-service session devoted to general patient safety, emergency procedures, or governmental regulatory requirements shall be allowed. |
The licensee shall retain a roster or certificate of attendance signed by a representative of the employer. |
Two (2) contact hours of in-service are equivalent to one (1) point, which shall be the maximum credit granted during any reporting period. Credit for the same In-service shall not be granted more than one time during any reporting period. |
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Research Grant Request Submission of a request to a funding agency for a research grant as a Principal or Co-Principal Investigator. |
The licensee shall retain a copy of the research grant that shall include the title, an abstract, the funding agency, and the grant period. |
Ten (10) points. Points shall be awarded only one (1) time during any reporting period. |
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Funded Research Grant Having a research grant funded as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator. |
The licensee shall retain a copy of the research grant that shall include the title, an abstract, the funding agency, the grant period and documentation of the funding received in a given period. |
Ten (10) points. Points shall be awarded only one (1) time during a reporting period. |
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Service as a Grants Reviewer |
The licensee shall retain a description of all grants reviewed and any reports generated in connection with the reviews, including the dates of service, the agency for whom the review was performed, and the hours spent on the grant review. |
One (1) point for each two hours of grant review and a maximum of five (5) points shall be allowed. Points shall be awarded only once for each grant reviewed during the reporting period. |
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Author or Editor of a Book The author or editor of a book published by a third-party entity dealing with a subject related to the practice of physical therapy. |
The licensee shall retain a copy of the published book and a list of consulted resources. |
Ten (10) points. Points shall be awarded only one time during any reporting period. |
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Author or Editor of a Chapter The author or editor of a chapter in a book published by a third-party entity dealing with a subject related to the practice of physical therapy. |
The licensee shall retain a copy of the published book and a list of consulted resources. |
Five (5) points. Points shall be awarded only one time during any reporting period. |
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Author of Peer-Reviewed Article The author of a published peer-reviewed article relating to the practice of physical therapy. |
The licensee shall retain the article, names and employers of the reviewers, and a list of consulted resources. |
Ten (10) points Points shall be awarded only one time during any reporting period. |
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Author of a Published Non-Peer-Reviewed Article The author of a published non peer-reviewed article or book-review or abstract relating to the practice of physical therapy. |
The licensee shall retain the article and a list of consulted resources. Each article, book-review, or abstract shall count one time only. |
Four (4) points. A maximum of four (4) points shall be awarded during any reporting period. |
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Author of a Published Abstract, Book Review, or Abstract for a Poster or Presentation The author of a published peer-reviewed abstract, book review, or peer-reviewed abstract for a poster or presentation related to the practice of physical therapy to a professional health care group. |
The licensee shall retain a copy of the poster or presentation and a list of consulted resources. |
Five (5) points for a presentation. A maximum of fifteen (15) points during any reporting period, and credit for the same poster or presentation shall not be awarded more than once. |
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Participation as Officer or Chair – National Organization Participation in a national physical therapy or interdisciplinary (including physical therapy) organization as an officer or chair of a physical therapy services committee, physical therapy services task force, member, or delegate to a national assembly. |
The licensee shall retain organizational materials listing the licensee's participation, a statement of the responsibilities of the position, and a summary of the activities of the licensee. |
Five (5) points for each full year of participation. A maximum of ten (10) points during any reporting period. |
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Participation as Officer or Chair – State Organization Participation in a state physical therapy or interdisciplinary (including physical therapy) organization as an officer or chair of a physical therapy services committee. |
The licensee shall retain organizational materials listing the licensee's participation, a statement of the responsibilities of the position, and a summary of the activities of the licensee. |
Four (4) points for each full year of participation. A maximum of eight (8) points during any reporting period. |
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Participation as Officer or Chair – Local Organization Participation in a local or regional physical therapy or interdisciplinary (including physical therapy) organization as an officer or chair of a physical therapy service committee. |
The licensee shall retain organizational materials listing the licensee's participation, a statement of the responsibilities of the position, and a summary of the activities of the licensee. |
Two (2) points for each full year of participation. A maximum of four (4) points during any reporting period. |
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Member of Professional Organization Participation as a member of a physical therapy professional organization committee involved with physical therapy services. |
The licensee shall retain organizational materials listing the licensee's participation, a statement of the responsibilities of the committee, and a summary of the work of the committee. |
One (1) point for each full year of participation. A maximum of two (2) points during any reporting period. |
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Unpaid Volunteer Participation in unpaid volunteer service to the general public and healthcare professionals related to physical therapy. |
The licensee shall retain published materials describing the service activity. |
One (1) point for at least twenty (20) hours spent on service activities during each year. A maximum of two (2) points during any reporting period. |
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Membership in the APTA |
The licensee shall retain proof of membership in the APTA. |
One (1) year earns one (1) point. A point may be earned for each year of membership during the reporting period. |
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Membership in an APTA Section |
The licensee shall retain proof of membership in the APTA Section. |
One (1) year earns one-half (0.5) point. Points shall not be awarded for membership in more than one Section. |
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Writer of Exam Questions Selection by the Federation for participation as an item writer of exam questions for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) or by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). |
The licensee shall retain documentation of participation by the Federation or ABPTS. |
Five (5) points for each year of participation. |
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Clinical Research Participation in clinical research, clinical trials, or research projects related to the practice of physical therapy. |
The licensee shall retain a log of hours of participation including date, activity performed, location of the research, and primary investigator. |
One (1) point for each hour of participation. A maximum of ten (10) hours per reporting period. |
What type of approval is needed for the courses?
The following organizations are approved providers:
- Any agency or board responsible for licensing individuals to practice physical therapy in the United States or Canada;
- The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), including any Sections, credentialed residencies and fellowships and its accrediting subsidiary;
- State Chapters of APTA;
- The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), and any accrediting subsidiary;
- The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET);
- Any providers approved or accredited by the agencies or organizations listed above;
- Physical therapist and physical therapist assistant programs approved by an agency recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation; and
- The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, North Carolina Division of Public Health and North Carolina Area Health Education Centers with regard to activities directly related to physical therapy.
- A provider or course approved by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
What type of courses or activities are not allowed?
N/A
What are the reporting requirements?
Each licensee shall submit a completed Continuing Competence Reporting Form with an application for license renewal. The form shall be found on the Board's website at http://www.ncptboard.org.
Documentary evidence for continuing education activities shall include the following for each activity:
- Name of approved provider;
- Name of accrediting organization;
- Title;
- Date;
- Hours for presentation; and
- Record of attendance or participation by provider.
How long must continuing education records be retained?
Four (4) years.
Can I request a waiver?
Waiver of continuing education requirements may be granted under the following conditions:
- To qualify for an exemption from the requirements, a licensee must furnish the applicable information required on the Continuing Competence Compliance Form.
- A member of the United States Armed Services is exempt pursuant to Rule. 0104 of this Section from compliance if on active duty for such period of time as G.S. 105-249.2 would grant an extension to file a tax return. The reporting period shall commence on January 1 following the licensee’s discharge from active duty.
- The Board shall grant an exemption from completing applicable continuing competence requirements to any licensee who becomes disabled or sustains a personal hardship that makes completion of continuing competence requirements impractical. The exemption may last for a period not to exceed two (2) years, which shall be granted to the applicant based upon the applicant's documented treatment of care.
- In cases of personal or family hardships, including medical issues or deployment, the Board shall allow the licensee up to an additional one (1) year to complete the applicable continuing competence requirements.
- Upon written application to the Board, any licensee who is 65 years of age or older and is not engaged in practice or patient treatment shall be granted an exemption from completing continuing competence requirements.
- Other requests for partial exemptions for hardships or circumstances beyond the control of the licensee shall be granted by the Board upon written application of the licensee.
- A licensee seeking an exemption pursuant to this Rule shall provide written documentation to the Board to support the exemption.
What happens if I am audited?
The Board shall conduct random audits to ensure continuing competence compliance. Within thirty (30) days from receipt of an Audit Notice from the Board, the licensee shall furnish the Board with the documentary evidence showing completion of the points required for the audited reporting period.
- Requests for extensions of time for up to an additional thirty (30) days to respond to the Audit Notice shall be submitted to and granted by the Board's Executive Director. For circumstances beyond the control of the licensee related to physical or medical hardship sustained by the applicant or his or her immediate family, the Board shall grant an additional period of time to respond to the Audit Notice.
- If the results of the audit show a licensee has not completed the required points, and the number of additional points needed by the licensee is ten (10) or fewer, the licensee shall complete the remaining points within ninety (90) days from the date the Board notifies the licensee by electronic communication or U.S. Postal Service mail of the deficiency. For circumstances beyond the control of the licensee or for personal hardship, the Board shall grant an additional period of time to respond to the Audit Notice.
- Failure to respond to the Board's Audit Notice in a timely fashion, or failure to provide the necessary documentary evidence of compliance pursuant to this Rule shall subject the licensee to disciplinary action.
References
21 NCAC 48G .0105
21 NCAC 48G .0106
21 NCAC 48G .0108
21 NCAC 48G .0109
21 NCAC 48G .0110
21 NCAC 48G .0111