Sec. 8. (a) The board shall license as a physical therapist or certify as a physical therapist assistant each applicant who:

(1) successfully passes the examination provided for in this chapter; and

(2) is otherwise qualified as required by this chapter.

     (b) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), all licenses and certificates issued by the board expire on the date of each even-numbered year specified by the Indiana professional licensing agency under IC 25-1-5-4. A renewal fee established by the board must be paid biennially on or before the date specified by the Indiana professional licensing agency, and if not paid on or before that date, the license or certificate becomes invalid, without further action by the board. A penalty fee set by the board shall be in effect for any reinstatement within three (3) years from the original date of expiration.

     (c) An expired license or certificate may be reinstated by the board up to three (3) years after the expiration date if the holder of the expired license or certificate:

(1) pays a penalty fee set by the board;

(2) pays the renewal fees for the biennium; and

(3) demonstrates evidence of continuing competence.

If more than three (3) years have elapsed since expiration of the license or certificate, the holder may be reexamined by the board. The board may adopt rules setting requirements for reinstatement of an expired license.

     (d) The board may issue not more than two (2) temporary permits to a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. A person with a temporary permit issued under this subsection may practice physical therapy only under the onsite supervision of a licensed physical therapist who is responsible for the patient. A temporary permit may be issued to any person who has paid a fee set by the board and who:

(1) has a valid license from another state to practice physical therapy, or has a valid certificate from another state to act as a physical therapist assistant; or

(2) has applied for and been approved by the board to take the examination for licensure or certification, has not previously failed the licensure or certification examination in Indiana or any other state, and has:

(A) graduated from a school or program of physical therapy; or

(B) graduated from a two (2) year college level education program for physical therapist assistants that meets the standards set by the board.

The applicant must take the examination within the time limits set by the board.

     (e) A temporary permit issued under subsection (d) expires when the applicant becomes licensed or certified, or approved for endorsement licensing or certification by the board, or when the application for licensure has been disapproved, whichever occurs first. An application for licensure or certification is disapproved and any temporary permit based upon the application expires when the applicant fails to take the examination within the time limits set by the board or when the board receives notification of the applicant’s failure to pass any required examination in Indiana or any other state.

     (f) A holder of a license or certificate under this chapter who intends to retire from practice shall notify the board in writing. Upon receipt of the notice, the board shall record the fact that the holder of the license or certificate is retired and release the person from further payment of renewal fees. If a holder of the license or certificate surrenders a license or certificate, reinstatement of the license or certificate may be considered by the board upon written request. The board may impose conditions it considers appropriate to the surrender or reinstatement of a surrendered license or certificate. A license or certificate may not be surrendered to the board without the written consent of the board if any disciplinary proceedings are pending against a holder of a license or certificate under this chapter.

Formerly: Acts 1957, c.198, s.8; Acts 1971, P.L.379, SEC.7. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.198; P.L.136-1984, SEC.2; P.L.150-1986, SEC.10; P.L.149-1987, SEC.79; P.L.48-1991, SEC.48; P.L.214-1993, SEC.59; P.L.244-1995, SEC.1; P.L.173-1996, SEC.15; P.L.1-2006, SEC.467; P.L.177-2015, SEC.64; P.L.160-2019, SEC.22; P.L.156-2020, SEC.108.