1. A candidate for license to practice as a physical therapist shall furnish evidence of such person‘s educational qualifications by submitting satisfactory evidence of completion of a program of physical therapy education approved as reputable by the board or eligibility to graduate from such a program within ninety days. A candidate who presents satisfactory evidence of the person’s graduation from a school of physical therapy approved as reputable by the American Medical Association or, if graduated before 1936, by the American Physical Therapy Association, or if graduated after 1988, the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education or its successor, is deemed to have complied with the educational qualifications of this subsection.

2. Persons desiring to practice as physical therapists in this state shall appear before the board at such time and place as the board may direct and be examined as to their fitness to engage in such practice. Applicants shall meet the qualifying standards for such examinations, including any requirements established by any entity contracted by the board to administer the board-approved examination. Applications for examination shall be in writing, on a form furnished by the board and shall include evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant possesses the qualifications set forth in subsection 1 of this section and meets the requirements established to qualify for examination. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its representations are true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the applicant, subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or declaration.

Terms Used In Missouri Laws 334.530

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • board: means the state board of registration for the healing arts in the state of Missouri. See Missouri Laws 334.020
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020

3. The examination of qualified candidates for licenses to practice physical therapy shall test entry-level competence as related to physical therapy theory, examination and evaluation, physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, intervention, prevention, and consultation.

4. The examination shall embrace, in relation to the human being, the subjects of anatomy, chemistry, kinesiology, pathology, physics, physiology, psychology, physical therapy theory and procedures as related to medicine, surgery and psychiatry, and such other subjects, including medical ethics, as the board deems useful to test the fitness of the candidate to practice physical therapy.

5. No person who has failed on six or more occasions to achieve a passing score on the examination required by this section shall be eligible for licensure by examination under this section.

6. The applicant shall pass a test administered by the board on the laws and rules related to the practice of physical therapy in Missouri.