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Ohio Physical Therapy  Continuing Education Requirements

Updated 8/20/2024

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

Physical therapists licensed in Ohio must complete twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education within the two (2) year renewal cycle.

Physical therapy assistants licensed in Ohio must complete twelve (12) hours of continuing education within the two (2) year renewal cycle.

New Licensees

License holders are not required to obtain any continuing education units for the first renewal period.

Due Date

PTs shall renew their license by January 31st in each even-numbered year. When a license to practice as a PT is issued by the board on or after October first of an odd-numbered year, that license shall be valid through the January 31st of the second even-numbered year.

PTAs shall renew their license by January 31st in each odd-numbered year. When a license to practice as a PTA is issued by the board on or after October first of an even-numbered year, that license shall be valid through January 31st of the second odd-numbered year.

How is a unit defined?

A "unit" is one clock hour spent in a continuing education.

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

No. Accumulated continuing education units may not be carried over from one renewal period to another.

Are there any specific courses that must be taken?

PTs and PTAs must complete at least two (2) hours of ethics through a renewal jurisprudence module.

OHIO JURISPRUDENCE ASSESSMENT MODULE

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

Specialty Examinations

Passing the following specialty examinations will qualify for twenty-four (24) contact hours of continuing education in the year the examination is taken:

    • Specialty examinations administered by the American board of physical therapy specialties (ABPTS).
    • The hand therapy certification commission (HTCC) certification examination.

Renewal of certification of a specialty through ABPTS will qualify for six (6) contact hours of continuing education in the year it is given.

Residency or Fellowship

The successful completion of an American physical therapy association credentialed residency or fellowship program will qualify for twenty-four (24) contact hours of continuing education in the year the residency or fellowship is completed.

Education Programs

Coursework completed at a commission on accreditation in physical therapy education accredited entry-level physical therapist education program or a post-professional transition clinical doctorate program is eligible for continuing education credit.

Clinical Instructor

Serving as a clinical instructor will qualify for one (1) contact hour for each eighty (80) hours of clinical instruction.

    • To be eligible for continuing education credit, a PT must be an APTA certified level I or level II clinical instructor and a PTA must be an APTA certified level I clinical instructor.
    • A PT may earn up to twelve (12) contact hours per renewal cycle by serving as a clinical instructor.
    • A PTA may earn up to six (6) contact hours per renewal cycle by serving as a clinical instructor.
    • Proof of clinical instruction is a certificate from the student's school.

Mentorship

Serving as a mentor in an APTA accredited clinical residency or fellowship program will qualify for one (1) contact hour for each three (3) hours of mentorship.

    • To be eligible for continuing education credit, a PT must meet one of the following criteria:
      • Currently certified as an APTA certified level I or level II clinical instructor; or
      • Currently hold a specialty certification issued by the ABPTS or by the HTCC.
      • A PT may earn up to twelve (12) contact hours per renewal cycle by serving as a mentor.
    • Proof of mentorship is a certificate from the director of the clinical residency or fellowship documenting the number of hours of mentorship completed.

Volunteering

Volunteer services to indigent and uninsured persons.  To qualify, volunteer services must:

    • Be provided at a free clinic or other non-profit organization that offers health care services based on eligibility screenings identifying the client as an "indigent and uninsured person".
    • Be documented in writing in the form of a certificate or a written statement on letterhead from an administrative official at the organization where services were rendered, specifying at a minimum the license holder's name, license number, date(s) of qualifying volunteer services, number of hours of services, and describing the services that were rendered.
    • Include the submission of a written statement by the license holder explaining how the volunteer services have contributed to the license holder's professional competency.
    • Not be credited for PTs and PTAs in a paid position at the organization at which the services are rendered.
    • Not be credited for PTs and PTAs who are also using the hours toward educational and academic pursuits.
    • Be physical therapy services provided in compliance with the Revised Code and the Administrative Code.
    • Be credited as one (1) hour of CE for each sixty (60) minutes spent providing services as a volunteer, not to exceed six (6) hours for PTs and three (3) hours for PTAs of the total biennial CE requirement.

Jurisprudence Module

Completion of a renewal jurisprudence module will qualify for two (2) contact hours.

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

N/A

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

N/A

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

Regular continuing education courses must be approved by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association.

What are the reporting requirements?

N/A

How long must continuing education records be retained?

N/A

Waiver

A request for waiver form, as provided by the physical therapy section, must be completed in full. In the case of illness or disability, a physician's statement is required. All completed forms must be received by the section for consideration no later than the first day of October of the year preceding the renewal date, unless that date is waived. A waiver may be granted for any period of time not to exceed one (1) renewal cycle. In the event that the illness, disability, or hardship continues to the next renewal cycle, then a new waiver request is required.

Should a waiver be granted due to disability or illness, the section may require the person to provide appropriate documentation from a physician or another qualified and appropriate practitioner to verify the person's competency and ability to practice physical therapy in the state of Ohio prior to the return to active practice of physical therapy in Ohio.

Audit

PTs and PTAs chosen for the audit must submit to the board by the date specified by the board copies of all records and documentation of proof of completion of the continuing education activities used to meet the continuing education requirements of this rule.

Failure to provide proof of the required number of continuing education hours for the specified time period will result in the commencement of disciplinary action.

Failure to respond to or acknowledge receipt of an audit notice will result in the commencement of disciplinary action.

References

Ohio Admin. Code § 4755-23-08

Ohio Admin. Code § 4755-23-09



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Zachary Edgar JD, LLM is the managing partner for Therapy Comply.  Zachary is a healthcare attorney that specializes in federal and state healthcare regulatory issues particularly for physical, occupational, and speech therapy practices.  

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