(A)(1) To be eligible for licensure as a physical therapist an applicant must:

(a)(i) be a graduate of a physical therapy educational program approved by the board;

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 40-45-220

  • Board: means the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. See South Carolina Code 40-45-20
  • Department: means the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation;

    (5) "Director" means the Director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation or the director's official designee;

    (6) "Licensee" means a person granted an authorization to practice pursuant to this article and refers to a person holding a license, permit, certification, or registration granted pursuant to this article;

    (7) "Licensing act" means the individual statute or regulations, or both, of each regulated profession or occupation which include, but are not limited to, board governance, the qualifications and requirements for authorization to practice, prohibitions, and disciplinary procedures;

    (8) "Person" means an individual, partnership, or corporation;

    (9) "Profession" or "occupation" means a profession or occupation regulated or administered, or both, by the department pursuant to this article. See South Carolina Code 40-1-20
  • 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.
  • On-site supervision: means supervision provided by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who must be:

    (a) continuously on site and present in the department or facility where the supervisee is performing services;

    (b) immediately available to assist the supervisee in the services being performed;

    (c) maintain continued involvement in appropriate aspects of each treatment session in which a component of treatment is delegated to the supervisee. See South Carolina Code 40-45-20
  • Physical therapist: means a person who has met all the conditions of this chapter and is licensed in this State to practice physical therapy. See South Carolina Code 40-45-20
  • Physical therapist assistant: means a person who is licensed by the board to assist a physical therapist in the practice of physical therapy and whose activities are supervised and directed by a physical therapist whose license is in good standing. See South Carolina Code 40-45-20
  • physical therapy: as used in this chapter , and nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize a physical therapist to prescribe medications or order laboratory or other medical tests. See South Carolina Code 40-45-20

(ii) pass an examination administered or approved by the board; and

(iii) speak the English language as a native language or demonstrate an effective proficiency of the English language in the manner prescribed by and to the satisfaction of the board; or

(b)(i) provide satisfactory evidence that his or her education is equivalent to the requirements of physical therapists educated in United States educational programs as determined by the board. If the board determines that an applicant’s education is not equivalent, it may require completion of additional course work before proceeding with the application process;

(ii) speak the English language as a native language or demonstrate an effective proficiency of the English language in the manner prescribed by and to the satisfaction of the board;

(iii) pass an examination administered or approved by the board;

(iv) submit evidence satisfactory to the board on a form approved by the board of not less than one thousand clinical practice hours under the on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist in this State or in a state with licensure requirements equal to or more stringent than this State.

(2) In addition to other requirements established by law and for the purpose of determining an applicant’s eligibility for initial licensure as a physical therapist, the department may require a state criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and a national criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The results of these criminal records checks must be reported to the department. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is authorized to retain the fingerprints for certification purposes and for notification of the department regarding criminal charges. Costs of conducting a criminal history background check must be borne by the applicant. The department shall keep information received pursuant to this section confidential, except that information relied upon in denying licensure may be disclosed as may be necessary to support the administrative action. The results of these criminal records checks must not be shared outside the department.

(B)(1) To be eligible for licensure as a physical therapist assistant an applicant must:

(a) be a graduate of a physical therapist assistant program approved by the board;

(b) pass an examination administered or approved by the board; and

(c) speak the English language as a native language or demonstrate an effective proficiency of the English language in the manner prescribed by and to the satisfaction of the board.

(2) In addition to other requirements established by law and for the purpose of determining an applicant’s eligibility for initial licensure as a physical therapist assistant, the department may require a state criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and a national criminal records check, supported by fingerprints, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The results of these criminal records checks must be reported to the department. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is authorized to retain the fingerprints for certification purposes and for notification of the department regarding criminal charges. Costs of conducting a criminal history background check must be borne by the applicant. The department shall keep information received pursuant to this section confidential, except that information relied upon in denying licensure may be disclosed as may be necessary to support the administrative action. The results of these criminal records checks must not be shared outside the department.

(C) The burden is upon the applicant to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board and in the manner prescribed by the board that the applicant has the qualifications and is eligible for licensure.

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