Continuing Education

Requirements | Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements

Physical Therapists

Licensed physical therapists must complete and maintain proof of 32 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their license. Endorsements impact CE requirements; review WAC 246-915-085 to ensure compliance with CE regulations.

Physical Therapist Assistants

Licensed physical therapist assistants must complete and maintain proof of 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their license. Review WAC 246-915-085 to ensure compliance with CE regulations.

Suicide Prevention Training

Physical therapists are now required to complete a one-time, three-hour suicide prevention training course. These six hours will count towards the hours of CE that an applicant must complete following initial licensure. Review WAC 246-915-086 for information on suicide assessment training standards.  

The Department of Health has authorized suicide prevention training programs for healthcare providers. This is the result of several pieces of legislation over the past several years aimed at helping providers identify, manage, and refer patients at risk for suicide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the board pre-approve continuing education courses?

The board does not pre-approve continuing education courses for presenters or licensees. Licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants may only report continuing education courses that are specifically related to the practice of physical therapy. Verify that your activity is appropriate by reviewing the documentation requirements corresponding with each option listed in WAC 246-915-085.

May I get an extension of time to complete my continuing education?

Extensions may be granted for emergency situations only. It's not advisable to wait until the continuing education (CE) is due to request the extension. If you have exhausted all possibilities for fulfilling your continuing competency requirements and are contemplating requesting an extension, keep in mind that:

  • Requests can take six weeks or longer. If your license is set to expire before your request can be considered, you can't practice without a current license.
  • If your request is denied, you'll still have to complete the CE hours and 200 employment hours prior to your expiration date.
  • If an extension is granted, you must complete all past due requirements in addition to the CE and employment hours required for your license type for the next renewal cycle. See above for requirements.
  • The board grants extensions of time to complete continuing competency requirements only for extenuating circumstances.
  • Examples of circumstances the board does not consider to be extenuating are:  
    • Employer no longer pays for CE/limited personal funds.
    • Childcare/pregnancy.
    • Living outside the United States.
    • The course was cancelled - not enough time to find another.
    • Working in a state that doesn't require CE.
    • Recently divorced.
What happens if I'm audited?

The board audits a percentage of all currently licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapist assistants to ensure compliance with the continuing competency requirements. If audited, you'll be required to provide:

  • Certificates of completion for each CE course. If the following information is not contained in the certificate of completion, you must also provide:
    • Information describing the course sponsors
    • The goals and objectives of the course
    • The credentials of the presenter as a recognized authority on the subject presented
    • Dates of attendance
    • Total hours for all CE courses being reported
  • A one-page synopsis (in 12-point font) for each hour of reading time for books or articles reviewed. The time spent writing a synopsis is not reportable
  • A one-page synopsis (in 12-point font) for each hour of running time for live or recorded instructional electronic media
  • Outline of presentation materials, date, and location of presentation for preparation in the event the PT is preparing and presenting professional physical therapy courses or lectures
  • Proof of publication which may include poster presentations in the event the PT has written preparation and publication of original scholarly research or work published in a peer-review journal
  • A transcript verifying courses taken. One quarter credit is equal to 10 hours; one trimester credit is equal to 12 hours; and one semester credit is equal to 15 hours
  • Proof of 200 hours of physical therapy employment, or evidence of other non-clinical activities completed under WAC 246-915-085.
What is the process for having a verification of my Washington state physical therapy license sent to another jurisdiction?

The requesting jurisdiction may access a primary source verification letter from our online provider credential search tool. You may also submit a written request and the verification fee with a check or money order made payable to:

Department of Health  
Board of Physical Therapy  
P.O. Box 1099  
Olympia, WA 98507-1099