SB 49 Summary

• Removes the requirement for a physician to sit on the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board, changing composition to include physical therapists, assistants, occupational therapists, assistants, and one lay member.

• Changes terminology throughout from "physical therapy assistant" and "occupational therapy assistant" to "physical therapist assistant" and "occupational therapist assistant."

• Updates accreditation standards for physical and occupational therapy education programs to reference "national accreditation agency" approved by the board instead of specific organizations like the American Medical Association.

• Modifies requirements for foreign-educated applicants by removing mandatory translation requirements and consolidating supervised field work requirements into board-approved standards.

• Limits visiting nonresident therapists to one limited permit per 12-month period and three lifetime permits, with permits valid for up to 120 consecutive days per calendar year.