SB 204 - This act would require that after 1/1/96 all persons claiming to be physical therapist assistant must be licensed by the Board of Healing Arts. A candidate for licensure must be 19 years of age or older, of good moral character and possess an Associate Degree from a physical therapy education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy.

Licensing examinations for qualified candidates shall be held at least once a year and shall include a written exam which shall include the subjects of anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, physiology, psychology, physical therapy theory and procedures and medical ethics.

Until 8/28/96 the Board shall license without examination the following:

(1) Any legally qualified person who is a Missouri resident who has graduated from an American Physical Therapy Association accredited program before 1/1/92 and who is currently practicing as a physical therapist assistant or has practiced as such for at least 6 months out of the last 2 years; and

(2) A candidate who does not meet the educational qualifications but who can furnish written evidence that he/she has been employed for at least 3 of the past 5 years under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

The Board shall license without examination any legally qualified persons who hold certificates of licensure, registration or certification in any other state if they have passed a written examination to practice as a physical therapist assistants in the other state and have completed comparable hours of study.

The Board shall also be authorized to issue temporary licenses. The Board is authorized to charge application fees, examination fees, licensing fees and renewal fees.
CHERYL GRAZIER