ALEXANDRIA, VA, June 25, 2009 – Michigan Gov Jennifer M.
Granholm signed SB 151 into law today, requiring physical therapist
assistants (PTAs) to obtain state licensure. Michigan is the 42nd
jurisdiction to license PTAs. Thirty-nine other states, the District of
Columbia, and Puerto Rico license PTAs; 8 other states regulate PTAs
through certification or registration, says the American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA).
PTAs provide physical therapy services under the direction and
supervision of a physical therapist (PT). Licensure for PTAs guarantees
that they will have the necessary education and training, and promotes
the highest degree of public protection.
"Our efforts to ensure that physical therapy patients will receive
the highest quality care from PTAs have paid off," said Michigan
Physical Therapy Association President Jake Jakubiak Kovacek, PT. "We're
grateful that our lawmakers recognized the importance of this
legislation for patient protection and passed SB 151 in its original
form."
"The American Physical Therapy Association applauds the Michigan
Chapter for its diligence in seeing SB 151 through the legislative
process," said APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "Physical
therapist assistants are vital contributors of physical therapy
services. This licensure provides needed recognition and regulation of
their efforts."
The Physical Therapy Board of Licensure and the Michigan Department
of Community Health will move forward with the process of promulgating
administrative rules, creating a limited license, and distributing the
limited license to qualified PTAs by December 31.
The new law also adds term protection for "physiotherapy" and "DPT,"
and establishes a continuing education requirement as a condition for PT
and PTA licensure renewal.
Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care
professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore
mobility – in many cases without expensive surgery or the side
effects of prescription medications. APTA represents more than 72,000
physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of
physical therapy nationwide. Its purpose is to improve the health and
quality of life of individuals through the advancement of physical
therapist practice, education, and research. In most states, patients
can make an appointment directly with a physical therapist, without a
physician referral. Learn more about conditions physical therapists can
treat and find a physical therapist in your area at www.moveforwardpt.com.