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Georgia PT Continuing Education 

How many continuing education hours are required during a reporting period?

Physical Therapists: Physical therapists in Georgia need thirty (30) hours of CE every two (2) years.

New Licensees: Continuing competence requirements shall apply within the first biennium that a physical therapist/physical therapist assistant is licensed in Georgia.

Individuals licensed during the last six (6) months of a biennium renewal period will not be required to meet continuing competence requirements for that biennium.

New Graduates: Licensees who have graduated during the current renewal biennium and who have passed the National Physical Therapy Examination are exempt from the continuing competence requirement during the biennium in which they have graduated and successfully passed the exam.

Physical Therapy Assistants: Physical therapist assistants in Georgia need thirty (30) hours of CE every two (2) years.

How long is the reporting period?

Two (2) Years.

When are the CE requirements due?

December 31st every odd year.

How is credit hour defined?

Not Specified.

Can CE credits be carried over into the next reporting period?

Not Specified.

Are there any specific courses that must be taken?

Four (4) hours of ethics and jurisprudence.

What types of activities can be used for the continuing education requirements?

Activity

Hours earned

Limit

Undergoing peer review.

Fifteen (15) hours.

N/A

Conducting a peer review when that activity is an adjunct responsibility and not the primary employment.

Ten (10) hours.

N/A

Participation as a presenter for continuing education courses, workshops, seminars or symposia which have been approved.

One (1) hour for each hour as a presenter.

Ten (10) hours per topic

Authorship of a presented scientific poster, scientific platform presentation or published article..

Continuing competence credit is ten  (10) hours per event.

20 hours

Teaching a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant credit course when that teaching is an adjunct responsibility and not the primary employment.

Continuing competence credit is based on contact hours.

Maximum of twenty (20) hours

Certification of clinical specialization by the American Board of Physical therapy Specialties.

Continuing competence credit is thirty (30) hours and is recognized only in the biennium in which certification or recertifcation is awarded.

N/A

Self-instruction from reading professional literature.

Continuing competence credit is based on contact hours.

Maximum of three (3) hours

Attendance at a scientific poster session, lecture, panel, symposium or university course.

Continuing competence credit is one hour per contact hour of activity.

Acting as a clinical education instructor for an accredited physical therapist or physical therapist assistant educational program.

Continuing competence credit is one (1) hour per eight (8) contact hours.

Maximum of ten (10) hours

Acting as a clinical instructor or an intern for a formal, nonacademic, advanced clinical internship or as a mentor or a learner for a formal, nonacademic mentorship.

Continuing competence credit is based on contact hours.

Maximum of ten (10) hours

Donating time in the role of a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant, within the scope of practice, to a charity event.

Continuing competence credit is one (1) hour per eight (8) contact hours.

Maximum of five (5) hours

Post professional physical therapist educational programs that award academic credit.

One (1) university credit hour equaling ten (10) continuing competence hours.

N/A

What type of courses or activities are not allowed?

Unacceptable activities for continuing competence include, but are not limited to:

    • Orientation and in-service programs;
    • Meetings for purposes of policy decisions;
    • Non-educational meeting at annual association, chapter or organization meetings;
    • Entertainment or recreational meeting or activities;
    • Committee meetings, holdings of offices, serving as an organization delegate;
    • Visiting exhibits;
    • CPR.

What type of approval is needed for the courses?

The following programs may be considered for approval, but are not limited to:

    • The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and its affiliate components;
    • The Physical Therapy Association of Georgia (PTAG) or any other state chapters;
    • The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)(Procert);
    • Programs provided at CAPTE-Accredited colleges and universities with programs in physical therapy when the continuing competency course is held under the auspices of the school of physical therapy;
    • The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA);
    • The American Academy of Physical Therapy (AAPT);
    • Programs approved by another state board;
    • JCAHO-accredited healthcare organizations;
    • The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS);
    • The National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA);
    • The American Dental Association (ADA);
    • The American Association of Nurses (AAN)
    • The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB);
    • The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB).

How do I report my completed CE?

Persons licensed to practice as a physical therapist or a physical therapy assistant or who shall file an application to practice as such in this state are to maintain a record of completed continuing education courses and experiences by registering with an online recording and reporting system approved by the Board.

For the purposes of this requirement, the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy adopts the utilization of aPTitude offered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

How long must continuing education records be retained?

Three (3) years from the beginning date of the licensure period. These records should be maintained in the licensee's personal files for no less than three (3) years from the beginning date of the licensure period through the even numbered year after the license is renewed.

What happens if I am audited?

Those licensees selected for audit shall submit the Verification of Continuing Competence form and documentation of compliance upon receipt of notice. Acceptable documentation shall include:

    • An official program or outline of the course attended or taught or a copy of the publication which clearly shows that the objectives and content were related to patient care in physical therapy and shows the number of contact hours, as appropriate. The information also should clearly identify the licensee's responsibility in teaching or authorship; and
    • A certificate or verification of completion of home study which identifies the sponsoring entity or maintain a copy of the final grade report in the case of a University credit course(s), or specialization certificate, or proof of attendance with a copy of the program for the other acceptable activities, or documentation of self-instruction or reading professional literature; or
    • Verification of a peer review of practice with verification of acceptable practice by a recognized entity. An example of a recognized entity is the American Physical Therapy Association Board Policy.

Reference

Ga. Rule 490-4-.01

Ga. Rule 490-4-.02

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