HB202 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Patricia Todd

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Dickie DrakeElaine BeechK.L. BrownTerri CollinsLynn GreerEd HenryJohn Merrill

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Physical Therapy Practice Act, substantially revised re licensing of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, Secs. 34-24-190, 34-24-191, 34-24-192, 34-24-193, 34-24-210, 34-24-211, 34-24-212 am'd.; Secs. 34-24-194, 34-24-195, 34-24-196, 34-24-214, 34-24-216, 34-24-217 amended and renumbered; Secs. 34-24-213, 34-24-215 repealed; Secs. 34-24-194, 34-24-195, 34-24-199, 34-24-200, 34-24-215, 34-24-216, 34-24-217, 34-24-218, 34-24-219, 34-24-221 added

Summary

HB202 overhauls Alabama's Physical Therapy Practice Act to rewrite licensure, regulation, and oversight of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, including a new wellness program for impaired practitioners.

What This Bill Does

The bill substantially rewrites the act, creating a seven-member Board of Physical Therapy with defined roles and immunity for members, and expanding the board's powers to regulate, license, investigate, and discipline licensees. It tightens licensure requirements for PTs and PTAs, adds national-level exams and foreign-education evaluations, and establishes reciprocal licensing paths; it also requires continuing education and annual license renewals, and adds new insignias to designate licensure. It creates public access rights to licensee information and final disciplinary actions, while protecting certain confidential data and patient records. Finally, it establishes the Alabama Physical Therapy Wellness Committee to identify and help impaired licensees, with strong confidentiality and immunity protections, and strengthens penalties for unlawful practice and various enforcement tools.

Who It Affects

• Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Alabama: face new or revised licensure requirements, exams, continuing education, renewal timelines, reporting duties (e.g., changes within 30 days), direction/supervision rules, insignia designation, and potential disciplinary actions.
• Consumers/patients and the general public: gain clearer public access to licensee lists and final disciplinary actions, expanded ability to file complaints with the board, and protections around patient confidentiality and choice of provider.

Key Provisions

• Board composition and immunity: The Board of Physical Therapy will have seven members (four licensed physical therapists, two licensed physical therapist assistants, and one consumer member). Members are appointed by the Governor, serve five-year terms, and are immune from civil liability when acting in good faith; the board is to reflect state diversity and maintain oversight over licensure and discipline.
• Expanded board powers and duties: The board can receive and investigate complaints, issue subpoenas, conduct hearings, impose emergency actions, and discipline licensees (censure, suspension, revocation, or civil penalties). It must maintain licensee records, publish disciplinary actions annually, and oversee continuing competence and licensing procedures.
• Licensure and examinations: The bill requires licensure for PTs and PTAs, with national examinations and credential evaluations for foreign-trained applicants. It sets requirements for education, references, and English proficiency for non-English speakers, and outlines reciprocal licensing for those with licenses from other jurisdictions.
• Public information and confidentiality: The board must provide public access to licensee lists and final disciplinary actions, display licensees’ credentials publicly, and inform patients about complaint procedures. It also protects certain personal information and patient records from public disclosure, with confidentiality rules for complaints and investigations.
• Exemptions from licensure: Various exemptions are added for students in approved education programs, military/VA settings, foreign-trained professionals for teaching or short-term activities, telecommunication consultations, and disaster-related practice under defined time limits.
• Continuing education and renewal: Licenses (PTs and PTAs) expire annually and must be renewed with proof of continuing competence; continuing education requirements are established and must be met for renewal.
• Insignias and advertising: Licensed PTs must use the letters PT after their name; PTAs must use PTA after their name; misrepresentation or advertising that implies licensure without proper authorization can lead to violations, penalties, or injunctions.
• Impairment/wellness program: The bill creates the Alabama Physical Therapy Wellness Committee to identify, treat, and monitor impaired licensees, with confidentiality protections, immunity for participants, and the ability to contract with non-profit or professional groups to run the program; annual reporting to the board is required.
• Enforcement and penalties: The bill addresses unlawful practice (Class B misdemeanor) and authorizes administrative fines up to $1,000 per violation, civil penalties, disciplinary actions, and injunctive relief to enforce provisions of the act.
• Practice standards and supervision: Physical therapists must manage patient care and be responsible for evaluations, documentation, and determining when a physical therapist assistant may provide services under supervision; specific direction and onsite supervision concepts are defined to ensure safe practice.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Physical Therapists