On November 6th, 2009 The Physical therapy Board of California (PTBC) enacted regulations that require all California licensed Physical Therapists to obtain 30 contact hours of continuing education during the two year renewal period. Course work must be related to the practice of Physical Therapy. CONTINUING COMPETENCY HOURS REQUIRED
This chart can be used to help determine the number of continuing competency hours required.
| License Expiration Date |
Renewal Payment Submitted |
Hours Required |
| On or Before 9/30/2010 |
NO Continuing Competency Hours Required |
None |
| Between 10/31/10 & 10/31/11 |
Prior to Expiration Date |
15 Hours |
| Between 10/31/10 & 10/31/11 |
After Expiration Date |
30 Hours |
| After 11/1/11 |
Prior OR After Expiraton Date |
30 Hours |
| First Time License Renewals |
Prior to Expiration Date |
15 Hours |
| First Time License Renewals |
After Expiration Date |
30 Hours |
The continuing competency hours must be earned during the renewal period. Your renewal period begins the
day after your license expires and ends on your expiration date. For example, if your license expires on
October 31, 2011, your continuing competency hours must be completed during the period
November 6, 2009 – October 31, 2011.
You do not need to submit documentation of your continuing competency hours with your license
renewal, however, each licensee shall retain such documentation for a period of five years after the
course or activity concludes. You must submit the evidence of completion if you are audited by the
Board. Failure to provide records documenting completion of the continuing competency requirements is
grounds for action taken by the Board.
MANDATORY CLASSES
The PTBC has required that during each two-year cycle the continuing competency hours MUST include the following:
- 2 hours of coursework on laws, regulations, and ethics
- 4 hours of life support for the health professional
COURSE CONTENT REQUIREMENTS
The PTBC has determined that Approval Agencies will review and approve courses for CEUs. The continuing competency course(s) must relate to one of the following:
- The professional practice of physical therapy, including professional accountability, professional behavior, and professional development.
- Patient/client management, which includes the examination, evaluation, and diagnosis and prognosis; plan of care, implementation, and education.
AUTHORIZED PATHWAYS Traditional pathways (offered by an approved provider) includes:
- Continuing education courses provided by an approved provider, including home and self study courses
- College coursework as offered by an accredited institution
Alternate pathways:
Some of the continuing competency requirements may be fulfilled through alternate means. Below is a table of activities, the conversion to continuing competency hours, and the maximum amount of hours that may be accumulated for the alternate means of obtaining hours. Some
of the continuing competency requirements may be fulfilled through
alternate pathways. Below is a listing of alternate activities.
| Description |
Maximum Hours |
Hours Rewarded |
| Publishing a peer-reviewed journal article, case study or book chapter. |
16 hours |
5 hours per article, study or chapter |
| Developing or presenting an approved college or continuing education course for the first time |
16 hours |
4 hours for each course |
| Participating as a subject matter expert in the examination process for the Board, FSBPT or ABPTS |
16 hours |
6 hours per experience |
| Serving on a Board-appointed task force |
16 hours |
6 hours per experience |
| Performing in a role as a clinical
instructor where the student's clinical experience is full time and
lasts at least 4 weeks. Effective January 1, 2013, the clinical
instructor must be credentialed by APTA or hold a substantially similar
credential |
12 hours |
1 hour per week |
| Attending a conference relating to
the practice of Physical Therapy where proof of attendance is provided
by the conference sponsor |
8 hours |
2 hours per conference |
| Attending a conference by the FSBPT, APTA or a component thereof |
8 hours |
4 hours per conference |
| Attending a Board Meeting |
8 hours |
2 hours per meeting |
| Completing an FSBPT Practice Review Tool |
8 hours |
6 hours per experience |
FSBPT: Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy; ABPTS:
American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. Starting 01/01/2013 the
clinical instructor must be credentialed by the APTA or a similar
certifying body
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