Section 1.

Expands the practices that are included in the definition of physical therapy under GS 90-270.90 to include the standards of acceptable and prevailing physical therapy practice. Makes organizational changes.

Section 2.

Changes references from “North Carolina Physical Therapy Association, Inc.” to the “American Physical Therapy Association North Carolina” in GS 90-270.91 (NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners [Board]). Modifies the ground for immediate removal from the Board, so that the member no longer has to fail to attend three successive meetings without just cause; allows for immediate removal for failure to attend three meetings without just cause. Makes a technical change.  

Section 3.

Modifies the powers of the Board under GS 90-270.92 as follows. Allows the Board to restrict licenses to practices physical therapy in the State and encumber licensed physical therapists, in addition to the methods of discipline specified. Now requires that these disciplinary measures can only be imposed against physical therapists and physical therapist assistants who demonstrate unprofessional conduct, including departure from, or failure to conform to the standards commensurate with acceptable and prevailing physical therapy practice, or the ethics of the physical therapy profession as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association, Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist, and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant. Allows the Board to also contract for personnel to carry out the provisions of Article 18E in GS Chapter 90 (currently, can only employ such personnel). Makes clarifying and conforming changes.

Section 4.

Requires Board records of persons in GS 90-270.93 licensed under Article 18E to include email information.

Section 5.

Modifies the qualifications of applicants before the Board in GS 90-270.95 to remove references to examination. Changes references to the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Makes technical changes. Makes conforming changes, including to statute's title.

Section 6.

Amends GS 90-270.96 so that refusal of an applicant to consent to a criminal background check must constitute grounds for the Board to deny the applicant licensure (currently, Board has discretion).

Section 7.

Modifies the class of applicants for the license available under GS 20-270.97 so that it covers applicants from a non-CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education) educational program (was, applicants trained in a foreign country). Removes references to examinations. Makes technical and conforming changes, including to the statute's title.  

Section 8.

Removes provisions in GS 90-270.98 (certificates of licensure) allowing the Board to require supervised practice of a newly graduated applicant for licensure and provisions pertaining to examination for licensure so that the Board must just furnish a license to applicants meeting the requirements of GS 90-270.95. Modifies the comity requirements so that the Board can no longer furnish a license to a physical therapist of a physical therapist assistant registered in another state, as described. Also requires any person receiving comity to satisfy the requirements of GS 90-270.95.

Section 9.

Amends the application period for a person to apply for licensure renewal under GS 90-270.99 so it runs from November 1 to the close of business on January 31 (currently, the month of January). Extends the end of the renewal period to the next business day if January 31 does not fall on a business day.

Section 10.

Amends the fee schedule set forth in GS 90-270.100 to include a $150 fee for a continuing competence course approval and to remove the examination retake, late renewal, and directory fee. Removes references to fees incurred if the Board uses a national testing service as part of its administration of an exam.

Section 11.

Adds an exemption to the licensure requirement in GS 90-270.10 for physical therapist or physical therapist assistant applicants seeking licensure or revival while completing the clinical practice requirements required by Article 18E and licensees performing remediation. Specifies that completing the clinical practice requirement without a license and performing remediation must be performed under a Board-approved plan and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Makes a conforming change.

Section 12.

Amends GS 90-270.102 (listing unlawful practice under Article 18E) as follows. Makes it a violation to fail to refer a patient to a licensed medical doctor or appropriate healthcare professional (was, licensed medical doctor and dentist) whose medical condition should have, at the time of evaluation or treatment, been determined to be beyond the scope of practice of a physical therapist. Makes a conforming change.

Section 13.

Removes references to conviction of a crime of moral turpitude in GS 90-270.103 (grounds for disciplinary action) and replaces it with conviction of a misdemeanor. Adds a violation of the recognized standards of ethics of the physical therapy profession established under the rules adopted by the Board as another ground for discipline.

Section 14.

Authorizes the Board to adopt rules to implement the act.

Section 15.

Effective October 1, 2025.