How to Become a Physical Therapist in Kentucky
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that 2,510 Physical Therapists practiced in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 2013. They earned an average of $82,920 a year. The average salary of the 1,290 Physical Therapy Assistants in Kentucky was $51,260 in 2013.The Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy (KBPT) oversees the licensing program for Physical Therapy professionals in the Commonwealth. Here are the steps you need to take to become a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant in Kentucky:
Physical Therapy Assistant:
- You must earn a Physical Therapy Assistant Associate’s degree from an accredited program.
- Complete your application form.
- Complete an approved HIV/AIDS course.
- Take the Jurisprudence Examination online.
- Schedule and take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
- Consider applying for a temporary permit to practice.
- Undergo a background check.
- Meet the Continued Competency Requirements.
Physical Therapist:
- You must earn a Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited program.
- Complete your application form.
- Complete an approved HIV/AIDS course.
- Take the Jurisprudence Examination online.
- Schedule and take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
- Consider applying for a temporary permit to practice.
- Undergo a background check.
- Meet the Continued Competency Requirements.
Step 1: Complete Your Physical Therapy Degree
Physical Therapy Assistant
Kentucky’s regulations require that you obtain your Physical Therapy Assistant degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAFTE) approved program. You can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in this field from the following Kentucky colleges:
- Hazard Community & Technical College and Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
- Jefferson Community and Technical College
- Madisonville Community College
- Somerset Community College
- West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Physical Therapist
To become a Physical Therapist in Kentucky, you need to earn a Doctoral degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAFTE) approved program. You can obtain such a degree from the following universities in Kentucky:
- Bellarmine University
- University of Kentucky
Step 2: Complete Your Application Form for a Kentucky License
The next step to become a Physical Therapy professional in Kentucky is to submit a completed application form with your $200 fee to the KBPT. You will need to have your certification of completion from the Program Director of your school.
The application requires that you disclose whether you have been registered, certified, or licensed to practice in any profession and if you previously taken a PT licensure exam. You will also have to disclose the status of any educational loans or child support.
It is critical that you list any convictions that you may have received. You do not have to list minor traffic violations unless substance abuse was a factor. You must also fill out an Affidavit and attach a photograph of your head and shoulders taken within the past year.
Step 3: Complete an Approved HIV/AIDS Course
You must complete an HIV/AIDS course approved by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services. You will be instructed on the transmission, control, treatment, and prevention of HIV and AIDS.
You can find a list of approved courses from the Department of Public Health. You must take at least two contact hours and be prepared to submit a copy of your course certificate to the KBPT.
You do not have to provide a certificate if you graduated from one of the approved schools within the past two years. If you feel that your PT or PTA coursework met this requirement, you have the option of requesting that a Curriculum Survey be sent to your school. Since the process can take several months, you need to make a written request to the KBPT for a waiver or else you will not be able to proceed with your licensing process.
Step 4: Take the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination
Once the Board has received your licensure application and fee, you should take the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination (JE) online. This exam measures your knowledge of the Practice Act—the rules and regulations involved in becoming and practicing as a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant in Kentucky.
Step 5: Schedule and Take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
You will need an Authorization to Test letter before you can schedule your date to take your PT or PTA National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). You can take this exam twice without any ramifications. If you fail on your third try, you will have to complete a remediation plan approved by the Board. The members will analyze your deficits so you can work on improving these areas. If you fail six times, you will be barred from taking the exam again.
The passing rates for graduates of Kentucky approved PT and PTA schools are very high. Over 96% of the PT graduates passed their NPTE exam from 2010-2012, while the pass rates for PTA graduates ranged form 87% to 100% during that time frame.
Step 6. Consider Applying for a Temporary Permit to Practice
While you are waiting for your NPTE results, you can apply for a one time temporary permit to practice as a PT or PTA. You will be able to practice under the supervision of a Physical Therapist who has been practicing for more than a year.
You must find a Physical Therapist who is willing to supervise you and have them fill out a Supervisory Agreement that defines where you will be working. You can practice for up to six months or until you get the results of your exam.
Step 7. Undergo a Background Check
You cannot become a licensed Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant in Kentucky without undergoing a background check. The Board will thoroughly examine your application form and your responses to questions about any convictions that you listed.
Step 8. Meet the Continued Competency Requirements
You will need to continue your education in the field of physical therapy to be able to renew your license. This will help you to stay current and competent throughout your PT career.
Kentucky’s statutes define Continued Competency as a planned learning experience that relates to the scope of PT practice. A contact hour refers to a credit based on sixty minutes of participation in a PT-related activity. The KPTA recommends that you get your courses pre-approved to ensure that you will get credit for them.
Some of the types of approved activities that can generate contact hours include:
- Courses
- Home study courses
- Seminars
- Symposia
- Workshops
- Being an author of a scientific paper or research article related to PT
- Presenting a scientific poster or platform presentation related to PT
- Teaching part of a PT or PTA credit course
- Being certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)
You will also need to take the Jurisprudence Exam every two years. This counts for two contact hours.
You should print a form to track your credits earned from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2015. All active licenses will expire on March 31, 2015 and will need to be renewed. If you graduated from an approved program in 2013 or 2014, you will not need to meet these requirements for the 2015 renewal cycle.
The KBPT’s January 2014 newsletter recommends that you use aPTitude to track your continuing competence and education activities. You can access this free system online as long as you have a valid license or certificate number and a functional email address.
Using this system will help you to store the documentation for your professional activities. Beginning in 2015, if you are deemed to be deficient in satisfying your continuing competency requirements, you will be required to use aPTitude to share your documentation with the Board.
Physical Therapy Assistant
You must take 20 contact hours to be able to renew your Physical Therapy Assistant license.
Physical Therapist
You must take 30 contact hours to be able to renew your Physical Therapist license.
Sources: