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

Physical therapists licensed in North Dakota must obtain twenty-five (25) units of continuing competence every two (2) years.

Physical therapy assistants licensed in North Dakota must obtain twenty-five (25) units of continuing competence every two (2) years.

New Licensees

Licensees applying for licensure in North Dakota for the first time from other states or countries who do not have twenty-five (25) units of continuing competence within the last two (2) years will be required to complete thirteen (13) units of continuing competence within a year of their initial licensure in North Dakota and will thereafter be on the two (2) year continuing competence cycle.

When is the deadline to complete the continuing education requirements?

January 31^st.

How is a unit defined?

One (1) unit equals one (1) hour of participation in competence activities.

Can credits be carried over into the next reporting period?

There shall be no carryover of continuing competence units to the next reporting period.

Are there any specific courses that must be taken?

N/A

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

Activities related to physical therapy approved by the American physical therapy association, state physical therapy associations, and state physical therapy boards.

Completion of an American physical therapy association specialty certification or recertification will equal fifteen (15) units.

Completion of a physical therapy residency program equals twenty-five (25) units.

One (1) unit for every one hundred sixty-five (165) hours of clinical instruction with a maximum of five (5) units per reporting period.

A person teaching an approved continuing competence activity must be awarded additional credit for preparation time not to exceed a ratio of five (5) to one (1) between preparation time and presentation time respectively. This credit may be taken for only one course annually.

Teaching at an accredited physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program as long as teaching is not the licensee's primary occupation. One (1) unit is allowed per direct contact hour in teaching a maximum of five (5) units per recording period.

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

N/A

Which type of courses or activities are not allowed?

Credit may not be given for entertainment or recreational activities or programs, employment orientation sessions, holding an office or serving as an organizational delegate, meeting for the purpose of making policy, or noneducational association meetings.

Credit may not be given for meals, keynote speeches, introductory or preliminary sessions, post session activities, and similar events associated with continuing competence programs.

Is board approval necessary for continuing education?

N/A

What are the reporting requirements?

At the January license renewal deadline immediately following their two (2) year continuing competence cycle, registrants shall provide attestation to completing the continuing competence activities taken and indicating compliance with the required twenty-five (25) units of continuing competence.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

N/A

Can the continuing education requirements be waived?

A person who claims extenuating circumstances in not being able to meet the continuing competence requirements shall petition the board for consideration of those special conditions.

Does the board audit therapist’s continuing education?

The board shall periodically select a sample of ten percent of licensees each year for evidence of continuing competence to which they have attested. Documentation may come directly from the licensee or from state or national organizations that maintain those types of records.

Reference

N.D. Admin. Code 61.5-03-01

N.D. Admin. Code 61.5-03-02

N.D. Admin. Code 61.5-03-03