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Virginia Physical Therapy Continuing Education Requirements 

Updated 8/20/2024

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

Physical therapists licensed in Virginia must complete thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education every two (2) years.

Physical therapy assistants licensed in Virginia must complete thirty (30) contact hours of continuing education every two (2) years.

New Licensees

A licensee shall be exempt from the continuing competency requirements for the first biennial renewal following the date of initial licensure by examination in Virginia.

How long is the reporting period?

Biennially.

Due Date

December 31st in each even-numbered year.

How is contact hour defined?

"Contact hour" means 60 minutes of time spent in continuing learning activity exclusive of breaks, meals or vendor exhibits.

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

No.

Are there any specific courses that must be taken?

A minimum of twenty (20) of the contact hours required for PTs and fifteen (15) of the contact hours required for PTAs shall be in Type 1 courses.

Type 1 Activities

An organized program of study, classroom experience or similar educational experience that is directly related to the clinical practice of physical therapy and approved or provided by one of the following organizations or any of its components:

    • The Virginia Physical Therapy Association;
    • The American Physical Therapy Association;
    • Local, state, or federal government agencies;
    • Regionally accredited colleges and universities;
    • Health care organizations accredited by a national accrediting organization granted authority by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assure compliance with Medicare conditions of participation;
    • The American Medical Association - Category I Continuing Medical Education course;
    • The National Athletic Trainers' Association;
    • The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy;
    • The National Strength and Conditioning Association; or
    • Providers approved by other state licensing boards for physical therapy.

One (1) credit hour of a college course shall be considered the equivalent of fifteen (15) contact hours of Type 1 continuing education.

Type 2 Activities

No more than ten (10) of the contact hours required for PTs and fifteen (15) of the contact hours required for PTAs may be Type 2 activities or courses.

Type 2 activities may include:

    • Consultation with colleagues, independent study, and research or writing on subjects related to practice.
    • Delivery of physical therapy services, without compensation, to low-income individuals receiving services through a local health department or a free clinic organized in whole or primarily for the delivery of health services for up to two (2) of the Type 2 hours.
    • Attendance at a meeting of the board or disciplinary proceeding conducted by the board for up to two (2) of the Type 2 hours.
    • Classroom instruction of workshops or courses.
    • Clinical supervision of students and research and preparation for the clinical supervision experience.

Forty (40) hours of clinical supervision or instruction shall be considered the equivalent of one (1) contact hour of Type 2 activity.

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

Documentation of specialty certification by the American Physical Therapy Association may be provided as evidence of completion of continuing competency requirements for the biennium in which initial certification or recertification occurs.

Documentation of graduation from a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program may be provided as evidence of completion of continuing competency requirements for the biennium in which the PT was awarded the degree.

A PT who can document that he has taken the PRT may receive ten (10) hours of Type 1 credit for the biennium in which the assessment tool was taken.  A PT who can document that he has met the standard of the PRT may receive twenty (20) hours of Type 1 credit for the biennium in which the assessment tool was taken.

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

No more than ten (10) of the contact hours required for PTs and fifteen (15) of the contact hours required for physical therapist assistants may be Type 2 activities or courses.

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

Not stated.

How long must continuing education records be retained?

The PT/PTA must retain his records on the completed form with all supporting documentation for a period of four (4) years following the renewal of an active license.

Virginia Board of Physical Therapy Continued Competency Activity and Assessment Form

Can I get a waiver of CE requirements?

The board may grant an extension of the deadline for continuing competency requirements for up to one year for good cause shown upon a written request from the licensee prior to the renewal date.

The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the requirements for circumstances beyond the control of the licensee, such as temporary disability, mandatory military service, or officially declared disasters.

What happens if I am audited?

The licensees selected in a random audit conducted by the board shall provide the completed Continued Competency Activity and Assessment Form and all supporting documentation within thirty (30) days of receiving notification of the audit.

Reference

18 VAC 112-20-131

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