(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each physical therapist licensed pursuant to this chapter shall complete a minimum of twenty hours of continuing education during each registration period. For purposes of this section, registration period means the twelve-month period for which a license has been renewed in accordance with § 19a-88 and is current and valid. The continuing education shall be in areas related to the individual’s practice, except, on and after January 1, 2022, shall include not less than two hours of training or education on (1) screening for post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and (2) suicide prevention training, during the first registration period in which continuing education is required and not less than once every six years thereafter. The requirement described in subdivision (2) of this subsection may be satisfied by the completion of the evidence-based youth suicide prevention training program administered pursuant to § 17a-52a. Qualifying continuing education activities include, but are not limited to, courses offered or approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or any component of the American Physical Therapy Association, a hospital or other licensed health care institution or a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

(b) Each licensee shall obtain a certificate of completion from the provider of continuing education activities for all continuing education hours successfully completed. Each licensee shall maintain such written documentation for a minimum of three years following the license renewal date for which the activity satisfies continuing education requirements. Certificates of completion shall be submitted by the licensee to the Department of Public Health not later than forty-five days after a request by said department for such certificates. A licensee who fails to comply with the continuing education requirements may be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to § 20-73a.

(c) The continuing education requirements shall be waived for licensees applying for licensure renewal for the first time. The department may, for a licensee who has a medical disability or illness, grant a waiver of the continuing education requirements or may grant the licensee an extension of time in which to fulfill the requirements, provided the licensee submits to the Department of Public Health an application for waiver or extension of time on a form prescribed by said department, along with a certification by a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant or a licensed advanced practice registered nurse of the disability or illness and such other documentation as may be required by said department. The Department of Public Health may grant a waiver or extension for a period not to exceed one registration period, except that said department may grant additional waivers or extensions if the medical disability or illness upon which a waiver or extension is granted continues beyond the period of the waiver or extension and the licensee applies to said department for an additional waiver or extension.