21 ncac 48e .0510          FOREIGN‑TRAINED PHYSICAL therapist assistant Exam applicant

(a)  This Rule shall apply to a physical therapist assistant who has graduated from a program located outside the United States that has not been accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or its successor, in accordance with G.S. 90-270.95(3).

(b)  All application forms and supporting documents shall be completed in English or accompanied by an English translation.

(c)  For the applicant's educational credentials to be determined substantially equivalent to that obtained by an applicant for licensure pursuant to G.S. 90-270.95(3), the applicant shall meet the standards of the most recent Federation's Coursework Tool (CWT) for Physical Therapist Assistants https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/Regulatory Resources/CourseworkTools(CWT).aspx. This coursework tool is incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions. Individuals wishing to obtain a copy may call the Federation at 703-299-3100 or download a copy from the Federation's website at no cost. A copy of the coursework tool is on file at the Division located at 8300 Health Park Suite 233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and is available for public inspection during regular business hours.

(d)  The applicant shall make arrangements to have the credentials evaluated by the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy or a service that has a physical therapist consultant on staff and that is authorized to use the Federation's CWTs for physical therapist assistants referred to in Paragraph (c) of this Rule. The Board shall review an applicant's educational program and shall consider the findings of the credentialing service.

(e)  The applicant shall provide the following information to the Board:

(1)           proof that the applicant has demonstrated English language proficiency by meeting the most recent Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL score requirement as defined by the Federation. This test is incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions. Individuals wishing to register for the TOEFL shall contact Examination Testing Service (http://www.ets.org/toefl/). The cost of this examination is posted on the ETS website. The TOEFL is an examination that is owned by ETS and is not available for public review; or

(2)           documentation for exemption pursuant to 8 CFR 212.15 (http://www.uscis.gov/). 8 CFR 212.15 is incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions. Individuals wishing to obtain a copy at no cost may call the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD) toll free. A copy of 8 CFR 212.15 is on file at the 8300 Health Park Suite 233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and is available for public inspection during regular business hours.

(f)  An applicant for licensure shall provide a complete set of fingerprints at the applicant's expense in order to obtain a criminal history record check in accordance with G.S. 90-270.96 and G.S. 143B-964.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-270.92; 90-270.95; 90-270.97; 90-270.98; 143B-964; 150B-21.6(2);

Eff. May 1, 2020.