South Carolina Code of Regulations › Chapter 101 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION- STATE BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EXAMINERS › Article 3 - LICENSING PROVISIONS › Section 101-07 - Continuing Education and Competency

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, June 28, 2024
An individual licensed as a PT or PTA is responsible for
				optimum service to the public and is accountable for maintaining evidence of
				high levels of skill and knowledge. Evaluation and assessment of current
				competence is critical for PTs and PTAs. The results of an evaluation or
				assessment should be used by the licensee to then select appropriate
				developmental activities.
(1) A
			 licensed PT or PTA shall earn three (3.0) CEUs per biennium period (30 hours)
			 and at least fifteen (15) contact hours of the thirty hours must be obtained
			 through the completion of Certified Activities. PTs and PTAs licensed in South
			 Carolina are not subject to this requirement for the first biennium renewal
			 period in which they are initially licensed.
(2) A PT or PTA must complete three (3)
			 contact hours of study in ethics, professionalism, and/or South Carolina
			 jurisprudence per biennium as part of his/her CEU requirements. This
			 requirement shall be obtained by participation in a Certified Activity and will
			 count towards the licensee's required Certified Activity hours.
(3) At least fifteen (15) of the required
			 thirty (30) contact hours shall be from Certified Activities. Certified
			 Activities include:
(a) attendance at
			 conferences and completion of continuing competency activities that meet the
			 Standards of Continuing Competence (SCC) as set forth by the FSBPT. Credit for
			 this item is applied as awarded by the provider, and a certificate of
			 completion is required as evidence of compliance.
(b) attendance at conferences and completion
			 of continuing competency activities provided by the American Physical Therapy
			 Association (APTA), South Carolina Chapter of the American Physical Therapy
			 Association (APTA-SC), other chapters and sections of the APTA, as well as
			 other state boards of physical therapy. Credit for this item is applied as
			 awarded by the provider, and a certificate of completion is required as
			 evidence of compliance.
(c)
			 completion of educational programs where CE credit is given and approved by
			 accredited universities. Credit for this item is applied as awarded by the
			 provider, and a certificate of completion is required as evidence of
			 compliance.
(d) attendance at
			 educational programs where CE credit is given and approved by APTA-SC. Credit
			 for this item is applied as awarded by the provider, and a certificate of
			 completion is required as evidence of compliance.
(e) completion of an APTA credentialed
			 fellowship or residency. Licensees who are enrolled in a fellowship or
			 residency will be considered as meeting the educational and competency
			 requirements for the entire licensure biennium in which the certification or
			 renewal is received. A letter from the director of the residency or fellowship
			 program is required as evidence of compliance.
(f) certification or recertification of
			 clinical specialization by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
			 (ABPTS) or PTA advanced proficiency certification. A licensee who completes
			 this certification or recertification will be considered as having met the CEU
			 requirement for the entire licensure biennium in which the certification or
			 recertification is awarded.
(g)
			 completion of academic course work germane to the practice of physical therapy
			 and conducted or sponsored by accredited institutions of higher education.
			 Courses must be on the graduate level for PTs. Undergraduate courses are
			 acceptable for PTAs. Ten (10) contact hours may be awarded for each credit hour
			 awarded by the accredited institution of higher education. A transcript from
			 the institution which indicates a passing grade in the course is required as
			 evidence of compliance.
(h)
			 completion of any appropriate physical therapy continued competency tools,
			 including examinations and/or self-assessments, developed by the FSBPT and/or
			 APTA. Credit for CEUs is applied as awarded. If no contact hours are awarded, a
			 licensee may receive five (5) contact hours. A certification of completion is
			 required as evidence of compliance.
(i) completion of courses relating to
			 physical therapy approved by the American Medical Association (AMA). A
			 certification of completion is required as evidence of compliance.