Prepare for the Annual Education Meeting
The 2023 Annual Education Meeting, in Jacksonville, Florida, October 19-21, is just around the corner! Registration opens soon in early September. More communications will follow. If you are a funded attendee, you should have received travel authorization information via email.
An important change to the registration process this year:
Funded attendees will be required to use a unique registration URL to secure their place at the conference. This URL will be sent directly via an email from communications@fsbpt.org. Please take a moment to add this email address to your safe-sender list to ensure delivery of the registration link.
In the meantime, visit the FSBPT website for FAQs and meeting schedules!
Please reach out with any questions.
The Slate for the 2023 Elections
The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the slate for this year’s elections, to take place virtually during the Annual Education Meeting, October 19-21, in Jacksonville, Florida. This year's theme will be all about, “Bringing Regulation into the Sunshine.”
Further, the Nominating Committee will be seeking candidates interested in being slated for the 2024 elections. These positions will include Secretary, Treasurer, Director #1, and member of the Nominating Committee.
Please join FSBPT in thanking the 2023 Nominating Committee Members, Joseph Shanley (Chair), Ron Barredo, and Robert Friberg, for their work this year.
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Michell- Sigmund Gaines (OR)
Director #2 | Megan Certo (IN)
Director #3 | Steven Scherger (MN)
Director #3 | Kelly King (AZ)
Nominating Committee | Adrienne (Stacy) Price (GA)
Nominating Committee |
2023 Council of Board Administrators (CBA) Candidates
We are pleased to announce that Missy Anthony is running for this year's CBA Chair, and Erin DeTomaso is running for the CBA Nominating Committee. The elections will take place at the Annual Education Meeting during the CBA forum on Thursday, October 19.
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Missy Anthony (OH)
CBA Chair | Erin DeTomaso (MN)
CBA Nominating Committee |
Launch of HRRI Website and CPMDS Resources
The FSBPT Board is pleased to announce the launch of the Healthcare Regulatory Research Institute (HRRI) website, which will soon contain a multitude of resources. The Cross-Profession Minimum Data Set (CPMDS) page within the site is worthy of highlighting, complete with a roadmap" toolkit providing a wealth of shared data and additional resources.
The site is still in the development phase and we look forward to sharing further progress in next month's News Brief!
Scam Alert: Be Vigilant of Jurisdiction Licensee Scammers
The FSBPT Board wants to ensure you are aware of scams circulating that target licensees.
According to received reports, the scammers send an email or fax a letter on state board letterhead alleging a licensing issue. The scammers then immediately call the target before they can call the PT board office directly to confirm. Furthermore, the scammers spoof the board office's phone number to trick the licensee into thinking the call is legitimate.
We have received specific scam reports from the Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, and Maryland boards. Please always be vigilant and contact your state board before divulging any information.
Take advantage of available funding!
The FSBPT Board is committed to supporting its member jurisdictions in their mission to protect the public by providing grants for various activities. We have grants available to help jurisdictions with the following activities:
Enhancing the ELDD
The ELDD is the Examination, Licensure, and Disciplinary Database that stores information about physical therapy licenses and disciplinary actions against licensees. Jurisdictions can apply for grants to fund consulting, programming, data entry, technological upgrades, and other activities that enhance updates to the ELDD, including connecting to the API, FSBPT's tool for easily connecting data. The API automates the process of jurisdictions receiving NPTE scores and sending licensure files at a frequency of their choosing. The API enhances the accuracy, security, and timeliness of the data.
Improving Compact Privilege Implementation
For jurisdictions that are part of the PT Compact, FSBPT encourages jurisdictions to create a button on their website to "Obtain a Compact Privilege" near the "Renew My License" button so that licensees think about the compact when they renew their state license. This website enhancement can be funded through the grant program. Additionally, grants can help jurisdictions use the API to allow jurisdictions to display Compact Privilege holder information on their licensure verification system to ensure that the individual is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction.
Collecting Workforce Data
FSBPT is also interested in enhancing workforce data collection as part of licensure renewal. This can include collecting information on demographics, employment status, practice settings, and more. The data can be used to inform workforce development and policy decisions.
FSBPT offers grant funding to support its member jurisdictions in their mission to protect the public. If you are interested in receiving a grant, please send an email to FSBPT's CEO, William A. Hatherill summarizing what you would like to have funded and why it is important, or how it can improve efficiencies for your board.
Upcoming Webinars
We are hosting upcoming webinars within the FSBPT Portal, allowing you to easily access member resources, groups, and events all in one place! Please follow the instructions to register.
- Login to the FSBPT Portal.
- Once you are on the portal, select "Events"
- Click on the webinar you want to register for
- Follow the registration process
- Select "Register Now" (it may take a moment to load)
- You will see a screen indicating the registration was successful, and you will receive an email confirmation
- You can also use the calendar icon in the top right to add the event to your calendar. Please note, depending on your calendar and time zone settings, it may not have the right time. The time is included in the calendar description. Please confirm your time settings are correct.
- All done! We will send more information on how to join the webinar closer to the event.
Congratulations are in order!
2023 Outstanding Service Award
- Anne Thompson, GA
- Corie Tillman Wolf, VA
- Craig Miller, MI
- Jonathan Bird, ID
- Kristina Lounsberry, LA
- Marcia Himes, MO
- Stephen Curley, KY
2023 Academy of Advanced Item Writers
- Amanda Bryson, TX
- Becky Rodda, MI
- Germaine Ferreira, TX
- Jonathan Bird, ID
- Rebecca Webster, CA
Please also join us in congratulating Nancy Kirsch, this year's McDougall Award winner, and Sherise Smith, this year's President’s Award recipient! They will be honored at the Awards Luncheon at the Annual Education Meeting in October.
FSBPT Forum: AI, ChatGPT, and Licensing Exams
Claims that artificial intelligence (AI) systems have passed some licensure exams have raised concerns about exam validity and testing security. However, doubts remain over how AI systems were used in these exams and the extent to which researchers relied on judgment to identify correct versus incorrect responses.
An article by Lorin Mueller, FSBPT Managing Director of Assessment.
Spotlight on Member Resources: 2023 Leadership Issues Forum Report
The 2023 Leadership Issues Forum Report is now available to members in the member portal, following the event that took place in Arlington, Virginia last month, with a total of 128 attendees.
The presentation slides are also available in the member portal, as an additional resource.
Our Gratitude for Volunteers
This month, we thank our generous volunteer members for their support of our mission.
- Exam Development Committees
- Item Writers and Item Writer Coordinators
In The News
"LSAT Org 'Deeply Sorry' for Testing Problems, Offers Retakes," Law360, August 2023
Earlier this month, issues with staffing, systems, and technology caused lengthy delays in LSAT testing for law school hopefuls, highlighting the importance of careful regulation and oversight of proctored exams.
"600K Medicare Beneficiaries' Data Accessed in Breach," The Hill, June 2023
"The personal information of 612,000 Medicare beneficiaries were accessed in a sweeping data breach that affected what could be hundreds of organizations, including the government contractor, Maximus Federal Services."
"British Nurse Who Killed Babies on the Job Gets Life Sentence," The Wall Street Journal, August 2023
The Case of Lucy Letby, one of the UK's most notorious serial killers, raises questions about negligence in a state-run healthcare system.
"An Update on the Brokamp Case," Counseling Today (September 2023), American Counseling Association
"Recently, a licensed professional counselor in Virginia filed two lawsuits, one in New York and one in Washington, DC, alleging that state licensure requirements violate the First Amendment."
"Talking About Power Imbalances," APTA Magazine, (August 2023)
This letter-to-the-editor, co-authored by Kristina Lounsberry, Chair of FSBPT Sexual Misconduct and Boundaries Violation Committee, and FSBPT President David Relling, was published in the "Viewpoints" section of APTA Magazine, in response to an article in the May 2023 issue, "Is It Ever OK to Date a Former Patient?".
"FSMB Census of Licensed Physicians in the United States, 2022," Journal of Medical Regulation, June 2023.
"Despite an impending shortage of physicians nationwide, the licensed physician population has grown relative to the nation's total population, and since the last census in 2020, there have been significant increases in the number of new licenses issued by state medical boards—a trend driven predominantly by the use of telehealth services at levels significantly higher than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic."
"Commonwealth Fund 2023 Scorecard State Health System Performance" The Commonwealth Fund, June 2022
"Americans’ health declines and access to reproductive care shrinks, but states have options ... Every year, the Commonwealth Fund’s Scorecard on State Health System Performance uses the most recent data to assess how well the healthcare system is working in every US state."
"The Case for Diversity in the Health Professions Remains Powerful," The Commonwealth Fund, July 2023
"While the case for race-conscious affirmative action in undergraduate admissions policies may have failed, the story is far different when it comes to medical education and health professions training. As a mountain of evidence makes clear, the argument for diversity in health care remains powerful."
"Nursing Exam Pass Rates Dropped in Recent Years. Why?," MedPage Today, January 2023
"Most experts agree the pandemic played a role, but regulators don't plan to make the test easier."
Board Report
Recently, to advance the business of FSBPT, the board approved the motions listed. Please contact your jurisdiction board liaison if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Motion Approved
2023 Academy of Advanced Item Writers
- Becky Rodda, MI
- Germaine Ferreira, TX
- Jonathan Bird, ID
- Rebecca Webster, CA
- Amanda Bryson, TX
Motion Approved
2023 Outstanding Service Award Winners
- Craig Miller, MI
- Jonathan Bird, ID
- Marcia Himes, MO
- Corie Tillman Wolf, VA
- Stephen Curley, KY
- Anne Thompson, GA
- Kristina Lounsberry, LA
Board of Directors
Members of the board of directors serve as liaisons to multiple jurisdictions.
 Ruggie Canizares
Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah |  Ellen Donald
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee |  Joni Kalis
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming |  Cynthia Potter
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont |
 Adrienne Price
Arkansas, District of Columbia, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia |  Michele Thorman
Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin |  David Relling
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Virgin Islands |  Charles E. Reiter
The public member of the board does not serve as a liaison to jurisdictions |
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Staff Contact Information
Staff Contact Information
If you have questions, challenges or ideas, we want to hear from you!
(703) 299-3100
| Subject | Point of Contact/Email Address |
| ADA accommodations | Christine Sousa, ext 201 |
| Assessment or examination development questions | Lorin Mueller, PHD
Susan Newman
npte@fsbpt.org |
| Continuing competence | Jeffrey M. Rosa
competencestaff@fsbpt.org |
| Credentials review | Jaime Nolan, FCCPT |
| ELDD- Exam, Licensure and Disciplinary Database participation | eldd@fsbpt.org |
| Exam registration processing | Christine Sousa, ext 201 |
| Foreign educated issues | Leslie Adrian, ext 233 |
| Immigration | Jamie Nolan, ext 403 |
| JAM- Jurisprudence Assessment Module | competencestaff@fsbpt.org |
| Legislation or Model Practice Act | Leslie Adrian, ext 233 |
| Meeting arrangements | Paul Delaney, ext 223 |
| NPDB reports/questions | Angela Burnham, ext 249 |
| PTC- Physical Therapy Compact | compact@fsbpt.org |
| PEAT®- Practice Exam & Assessment Tool | peat@fsbpt.org |
| Reimbursement of expenses
Other financial matters | Linda Michelsen, ext 226 |
| School reports | schoolreports@fsbpt.org |
| Score transfer & reporting | Christine Sousa, ext 201 |
| SCP PET- Supervised Clinical Practice Performance Evaluation Tool | scppet@fsbpt.org |
| Security issues | Susan Newman
security@fsbpt.org |
| Anything else, including news to share with members | William A. Hatherill
Caitlin Jennings
Communications@fsbpt.org |
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| | From the knockout rose-lined banks of the Potomac River, where the fish are faster, the fishing boats are longer, and the fishermen are still full of stories. - William A. Hatherill, CEO
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