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Oklahoma Physical Therapy Continuing Education Requirements

Updated 8/16/2024

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

Physical therapists licensed in Oklahoma must complete forty (40) approved contact hours every two (2) years.

Physical therapy assistants licensed in Oklahoma must complete thirty (30) approved contact hours every two (2) years.

New Licensees

Any PT or PTA initially licensed in Oklahoma during the second year of a compliance period shall be exempt from the professional development requirements for that first renewal period.

When is the deadline to complete the continuing education requirements?

January 31st every two (2) years.

How is contact hour defined?

"Professional Development Unit or PDU" means one (1) contact hour (60 minutes) of continuing education coursework or an approved PDU activity.

Can credits be carried over into the next reporting period?

No professional development hours may be carried over from one compliance period to another.

Are there any specific courses that must be taken?

At least half of the required hours must be professional development coursework.

Three (3) of the required hours must contain ethics education that includes the APTA Guide for Professional Conduct and the APTA Code of Ethics

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

Activity

Description – PDU Earned

Synchronous professional development opportunities

Synchronous education – Real time participation in a course, workshop or conference.

Presentation of program - A licensee who presents an original professional development program targeted towards peers and other health care professionals may receive professional development credit of 1.5 PDU per contact hour of instruction for the first presentation of this original material. No additional PDU for subsequent presentations within the compliance period.

Post Graduate Studies - Successful completion of post graduate education course work related to physical therapy will be awarded professional development credit of up to sixteen (16) PDU for each college credit course based on credit hours, syllabus, and learning objectives.

Asynchronous educational and competence opportunities

For licensees participating in a non-interactive course offered by videotape, satellite transmission, webcast, DVD, or other electronic media, one (1) hour of participation earns one (1) PDU.

This method must include a posttest proficiency assessment in order to be accepted.

Publications

Writing for professional publication may be awarded professional development credit. Acceptance for publication must occur within the current compliance period. Contact hours will not be approved for repeat publication of the same material. Licensee must present copy of published material to receive credit.

Each published paper/book and/or chapter/or case study will receive fifteen (15) PDUs.

Each published book review will receive of ten (10) PDUS.

Study Groups

A series of meetings designed for intense study in a physical therapy related topic. A minimum of four (4) participants and four (4) hours of participation are required for professional development eligibility.

Those seeking approval for a group study project shall submit a full description including an outline of the topics and subtopics, references, or copies of the printed materials, a time and place of study, the methods to be used, the number of hours of credit sought, and any other information relevant to the evaluation of the proposed projects.

The maximum number of PDUs of this type allowed during a compliance period is twelve (12).

Supervising PT or PTA students as a clinical instructor

Continuous direct supervision of students and/or candidates for licensure can earn up to ten (10) PDUs in this category in a compliance period. Forty (40) hours of direct supervision will earn one (1) PDU regardless of the number of students and/or candidates for licensure being supervised.

The licensee shall submit materials listing the licensee as a clinical instructor with the name of the school/program and the length of time of clinical placement.

Presentations as a guest lecturer for PT and PTA Programs

Two (2) PDU for the first presentation of original material, up to four (4) PDU for two (2) presentations of original material in a compliance period. No additional PDU for subsequent presentation may be earned within a compliance period.

The licensee shall submit materials including: syllabus, curriculum vitae demonstrating expertise, statement of objectives, and strength of evidence demonstrating references used within last five (5) years.

Publications

Authorship or co-authorship of a book relating to physical therapy earns up to fifteen (15) PDU in a compliance period.

The licensee must present a copy of published material to receive credit.

Research (published only)

(Principal or co-investigator, project director, or research assistant earns five (5) PDU, up to ten (10) PDU in a compliance period, provided a licensee may only earn five (5) PDU for one original publication.

The licensee shall submit research proposal/abstract, final results and a summary of the licensee's involvement.

Presentations at professional workshops, seminars, conferences related to physical therapy

1.5 PDU per contact hour of instruction for the first presentation of original materials. A licensee may not earn additional PDU for subsequent presentations of the same materials within the compliance period.

The licensee shall submit materials including: brochures or program, curriculum vitae demonstrating expertise, a statement of objectives and strength of evidence demonstrating references used within last five (5) years.

Specialty Certification

Achievement of an APTA or APTA Section-recognized specialty certification related to physical therapy/Advanced Proficiency for PTA will be awarded ten (10) PDU for initial certification and five (5) PDU for recertification.

Credit will be granted for certification obtained with the compliance period in which the certification was granted. The licensee shall submit proof of certification for PDU determination.

Residences/Fellowships

For fellowships conferred by organizations credentialed by APTA in a specialty area of the practice of physical therapy, ten (10) PDU shall be awarded for each full year of clinical participation up to a maximum of twenty (20) PDU per compliance period for this activity.

  • The licensee shall submit the certificate conferred on the licensee or evidence that all requirements of the fellowship program have been met.
  • For completion of a residency program in physical therapy offered by an APTA credentialed organization, ten (10) PDU shall be awarded for each full year of clinical participation, up to a maximum of twenty (20) PDU per compliance period for this activity.
  • The licensee shall submit the certificate conferred on the licensee or evidence that all requirements of the fellowship program have been met.

National Organization

Participation in the national physical therapy or multidisciplinary organization that includes physical therapy.

Participation as a board member, committee chair, task force member or delegate to a national assembly earns five (5) PDU per position for a maximum of ten (10) PDU.

The licensee shall submit materials documenting the licensee as a participant (for example minutes) as well as a description of the position and a summary of the licensee's involvement.

State Organization

Participation in a state physical therapy or multidisciplinary organization that includes physical therapy.

Participation as a voting board member or committee chair earns five (5) PDU per position for a maximum of ten (10) PDU in a compliance period.

The licensee shall submit materials listing the licensee as a participant (for example minutes) as well as a description of the position and a summary of the licensee's involvement.

Regional Organization

Participation in a regional or district physical therapy or multidisciplinary organization that includes physical therapy.

Participation as a district officer earns two (2) PDU per position for a maximum of four (4) PDU in a compliance period.

The licensee shall submit materials listing the licensee as a participant (for example minutes) as well as a description of the position and a summary of the licensee's involvement.

Membership in the APTA

One (1) year earns one (1) PDU, up to two (2) PDU in a compliance period.

The licensee shall submit membership card or certificate for each year of the compliance period.

Membership in an APTA section for one (1) year earns one half PDU, up to one (1) PDU in a compliance period. Additional PDU are not awarded for membership in more than one (1) section. Section membership is validated by membership card.

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

At least half of the required hours must be professional development coursework.

Learning opportunities not listed above may be considered for professional development credit but will require pre-approval if submitted by the requested deadline.

Which type of courses or activities are not allowed?

Learning opportunities not accepted include but are not limited to:

    • Regularly scheduled education opportunities provided within an institution, such as: rounds or on-the-job required in-service training such as CPR, blood-borne pathogens, equipment or procedural updates.
    • Staff meetings.
    • Meetings, workshops or seminars held by personnel with less medical training than registered physical therapists or physical therapist assistants.
    • Publications for the lay public.
    • Presentations to lay groups and non-professionals.
    • Teaching personnel, students or staff within one's job requirement.

Is board approval necessary for continuing education?

Yes.

The following organizations are considered 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, Academies, credentialed residencies and fellowships and its accrediting subsidiaries.
    • 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.

What are the reporting requirements?

Beginning with the renewal period ending January 31, 2000 and every two (2) years thereafter, the applicant for renewal of licensure shall sign a statement indicating whether or not professional development requirements have been fulfilled for the preceding two (2) year period.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

Each licensee is responsible for maintaining evidence/proof/record of participation in a professional development experience for a minimum of four (2) years, two (2) compliance periods. Copies of such proof shall be submitted to the Board upon request. Such proof shall include:

    • Date, place, course title, schedule, presenter(s), etc.,
    • Number of contact hours/PDUs for the activity,
    • Proof of completion, such as abstracts, certificates of attendance, or other certification of completion.

Can the continuing education requirements be waived?

N/A

Does the board audit therapist’s continuing education?

The Physical Therapy Committee shall conduct random audits of the professional development records of the number of licensees that time and resources permit. The Physical Therapy Committee may appoint a sub-committee to review audits and requests for approval of professional development experiences and make recommendations to the Physical Therapy Committee for disposition.

Those being audited will receive notification and have thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the correspondence to submit proof of professional development to the Committee.

Reference

Okla. Admin. Code § 435:20-9

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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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