A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT authorizing the north carolina board of physical therapy examiners to require licensees to demonstrate continuing competence in the practice of physical therapy.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 90‑270.26 is amended by adding the following new subdivision to read:
"§ 90‑270.26.  Powers of the Board.
The Board shall have the following general powers and duties:
…
(3a)	Establish mechanisms for assessing the continuing competence of licensed physical therapists or physical therapist assistants to engage in the practice of physical therapy, including approving rules requiring licensees to periodically, or in response to complaints or incident reports, submit to the Board:  (i) evidence of continuing education experiences; (ii) evidence of minimum standard accomplishments; or (iii) evidence of compliance with other Board‑approved measures, audits, or evaluations; and specify remedial actions if necessary or desirable to obtain license renewal or reinstatement;
…."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 90‑270.32 reads as rewritten:
"§ 90‑270.32.  Renewal of license; lapse; revival.
(a)	Every licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall, during the month of January of every year, apply to the Board for a renewal of licensure and pay to the secretary‑treasurer the prescribed fee. Licenses that are not so renewed shall automatically lapse. The Board may decline to renew licenses of physical therapists or physical therapist assistants for failure to comply with any required continuing competency measures.
(b)	The manner in which lapsed licenses shall be revived, reinstated, or extended shall be established by the Board in its discretion."
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.