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Applicant:  We are including this cover page to assist you with completing your application.  The application is based on the law passed in 2001 in the state of Virginia regarding continued competency of practitioners licensed by the Board of Physical Therapy. 

The Law: The Board must address in its regulations continuing education, testing and/or any other requirement which would address the following:  a) the need to promote ethical practice, b) an appropriate standard of care, c) patient safety, d) application of new medical technology, e) appropriate communication with patients and f) knowledge of the changing health care system.

Content of the Regulation: In order to renew a license biennially the practitioner must complete a Continued Competency Activity and Assessment Form, which is provided by the Board and must indicate completion of at least 30 hours of continuing learning activities for physical therapists and 30 hours of continuing learning for physical therapist assistants.  The total hours must be made up of two types:

Type I continuing learning activities are those documented by an approved organization to designate learning activities for credit or other value.  Approving organizations must be one of the following:

• The Virginia Physical Therapy Association
• The American Physical Therapy Association or any of its components
• Local, State or federal government agencies
• Regionally accredited colleges or universities
• Health care organizations accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
• The American Medical Association- Category I Continuing Medical Education course
• The National Athletic Trainer’s Association

All of the Type I hours must be earned in face-to-face settings, interactive courses or other interaction with peers.  Physical Therapists are required to obtain at least 15 hours of Type I and Physical Therapist Assistants must obtain at least 10 hours of Type I.  All required hours may be Type I. 

The remainder of the required hours may be Type II continuing learning activities which may or may not be approved for credit by an approved organization but which shall be related to the practice of physical therapy.  Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants shall document their own participation in Type II learning activities.

Purpose of this Application: This application is to be used for the approval of Type I courses only.  Courses that do not meet the requirements set forth on this application may qualify for Type II consideration under the terms of the law by evaluation by the Virginia State Board of Physical Therapy.

Required Documentation:  The following items must be attached to the completed application for processing.  Failure to provide these items will result in the application being incomplete and the process will be delayed or application rejected.  Application fees are assessed from the date the fully completed application is received.

• Outline of program content including course objectives.  Course objectives should be behaviors that are meaningful to the participant, achievable in the time available for the course, and measurable by the presenter.
• Program schedule, including all scheduled breaks
• Attach a minimum of 5 references.  References must be the most current evidence-based citations available. Peer- reviewed journal publications are preferred. References are required to either offer evidence to support the course material or to identify the lack of evidence in the literature.  This will allow for course participants to adequately evaluate their continued learning experiences.
• Presenter(s) biosketch outlining qualifications.  Please limit to 2 pages per presenter.
• Sample certificate of completion
• Sample course evaluation form

The VPTA supports the use of the APTA’s Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.  Please consider this when developing your course materials and attempt to use Guide terminology whenever possible.

Submit the completed form, application fee and all attachments to: 
VPTA Continuing Education Committee
 C/o Julia Rice
1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA  22314-1488
If you have any questions please contact Julia Rice at 800-999-2782 ext 3235 or email vpta@apta.org