Below are some of the tools that we have developed for state licensing authorities in the regulation of physical therapy.

• Cannabis and Physical Therapy

  Resources to understand hemp, marijuana, CBD, THC, and physical therapy.

• Coursework Tools (CWT)

  Find out how coursework tools are used to evaluate non-U.S. candidates.

• Criminal History Record Information/Criminal Background Checks

  As jurisdictions add a Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record information as a requirement for licensure, regulatory boards are looking for resources to help them implement, understand, and apply these checks. FSBPT’s Ethics & Legislation Committee has researched and provided a number of resources physical therapy regulatory boards will find helpful when using criminal history record information for licensure.

• Diagnostic and Procedural Imaging in PT Practice  

  This review of statutory and regulatory language regarding imagining and physical therapy was completed in 2024 by members of the Ethics & Legislation Committee in response to a request from membership. Members should refer to the individual jurisdiction boards for additional questions.

• Dry Needling Competencies

  FSBPT sponsored practice analysis of the competencies required of physical therapists to perform dry needling. Publically available study explicitly examining what PTs must know and be able to do to perform dry needling safely and effectively.

• Impaired Practitioners

  Resources relating to impairment of practice/work of interest to physical therapy regulatory boards.

• Licensure Portability Resource Guide

  The Licensure Portability Resource Guide emphasizes the importance of proactive regulatory changes to improve licensure portability in anticipation of future healthcare needs. The guide urges regulators to proactively address licensure portability by implementing some or all of ten suggestions.

  Read the Executive Summary.

• Licensure reference guide

  Compare the requirements of various jurisdictions.

• Mandatory Reporting

  The purpose of mandatory reporting of potential violations is to protect the public. Conduct suspected of violating licensure regulations should be reported to the appropriate state regulatory agencies or departments for investigation.

• Model Practice Act

  Read about the most effective tool for modernizing physical therapy practice acts.

• Model Rules for Foreign Educated Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants (Examination & Endorsement)

  The Foreign Educated Standards Committee of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) developed the following model rules for jurisdictions to supplement the statutory language of the Model Practice Act (MPA). These rules help to improve the clarity of licensing requirements for foreign-educated physical therapists and physical therapist assistants for examination versus applicants by endorsement. The rules reflect recommendations from FSBPT and follow the MPA; not all of the requirements are applicable for all boards, examples include jurisprudence examinations, supervised clinical practice, and criminal background checks.

• NPDB Basis for Action Definitions Document

  The Basis for Disciplinary Action Definitions and Descriptions is a tool developed by FSBPT that categorizes the basis for disciplinary action. It includes definitions and guidelines to help state licensing authorities understand how to report disciplinary actions they take.

• Physical Therapy Providers and the Military

  Frequently Asked Questions regarding the education and service of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the military.

• Power Differential White Paper

  As licensed healthcare professionals, physical therapists (PT) and physical therapist assistants (PTA) must be aware of their influence and how their inherent power may significantly impact the meaning or intent of a comment, touch, or interaction.

• Reentry of Physical Therapy Providers

  For many different reasons, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants (PT providers) may voluntarily choose to take an extended absence from active practice lasting weeks, months, or even years. At some point, some of these same PT providers choose to return to, or reenter, the workforce. However, physical therapy regulatory boards are often at a loss as to how to determine their competence. FSBPT has developed a number of resources to assist regulatory boards.

• Remediation Resources

  Read detailed information about ethics remediation courses.

• Scope of Practice

  Use this tool to help you make decisions about the physical therapy scope of practice in your state.

• Sexual Misconduct and Boundary Violations

  In a 2021 FSBPT poll, 63 percent of regulators reported an increase in sexual misconduct complaints. FSBPT continues to address this issue by holding educational sessions, developing regulatory resources, and fostering discussion among our members..

• Supervised Clinical Practice Performance Evaluation Tool

  The Practice Evaluation Tool allows supervisors and trainees to work together to come to a shared understanding of the trainee's clinical practice competency.

• Telehealth in Physical Therapy

  The purpose of this document is to provide information and general guidance to physical therapy jurisdictional authorities for regulating the use of telehealth technologies in the practice of physical therapy.

• Treatment of Self, Family, and other Close Relations: FSBPT Recommendation

  There are many reasons a physical therapist may consider providing treatment to themselves, their family members, or other close relations such as finances, convenience, kindness, or a desire to be helpful. However, no physical therapist or physical therapist assistant should treat themselves, family members, friends, colleagues, or other close relations except in extraordinary circumstances. Physical therapy best-practice standards require that the licensee be able to treat objectively and a personal relationship with a patient increases the likelihood that objectivity may be compromised.

• Understanding the Concepts of “Reasonable and Prudent” and “Standard of Care” in Physical Therapy

  In the realm of healthcare practice, two fundamental concepts play a pivotal role in determining the quality of care provided and assessing professional conduct: "reasonable and prudent" and "standard of care." These terms are closely interlinked and are crucial for regulators and healthcare providers to comprehend, especially when determining if professional obligations have been met.

  Read the Executive Summary.

• Universal Recognition Laws and Telehealth Registries

  Jurisdictions pass universal recognition laws to minimize the barriers to work when an individual moves from one jurisdiction to another. Universal licensure recognition seeks to create a uniform process based on training or testing requirements an applicant has already completed for one jurisdiction to recognize the occupational license issued by another jurisdiction. Amongst jurisdictions with universal recognition laws, there is still a great deal of variability which may impact the applicant.

• Work Force Data

  Collecting data allows a greater understanding of the physical therapy workforce. Explore jurisdiction reports and tools for improved workforce data collection and analysis.