2024 Summer Newsletter Covers PT Legislation, Renewals

Alabama Board of Physical Therapy

J U N E 2 0 2 4 V O L U M E 3 1 I S S U E 2 Newsletter Board Members

T-Michael Dougherty, PTA, Chair, South Region Robert Fleming Jr., PT, From the Desk of the Executive Director Secretary, 1st Congressional District Hello all and happy summer! Robin Irwin, PT, Treasurer, 2nd Congressional District We need your help sharing im-Zach Nelson, PTA, North portant information! While our Region primary form of communication Jonathan Zecher, PT, with licensees is email, we are 5th Congressional District trying to increase our ability to Dana Daniel Blake, PT, share information through social 6th Congressional District media. Social media also helps Margaret Hemm us relay information to Consumer Member students/future licensees. We can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Legal Counsel Help spread the word by following, liking, and sharing our posts.

1. Matt Bledsoe Instagram: alboardpt Assistant Attorney General Facebook: @Alabamaboardphysicaltherapy Administrative Staff LinkedIn: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Kathy Miller Important information to keep in mind: Executive Director • On June 1, 2024, the new Direct Access law went into effect. See page 2 for Angela Warr Executive Assistant more information. Kristi Mullins • As of June 14, 2024, background checks are required for all new applicants. Accounting • July 1, 2024, kicks off the annual renewal cycle. Renew early to avoid issues lat- Claire Dilaura er on! Accounting and Budgeting As always, we are here to help with any issues and questions you may have. Feel Contact free to reach out to the Board staff and we will be happy to assist in any way we info@pt.alabama.gov can. Happy summer to you all! ( 3 3 4) 2 4 2 - 4 0 6 4 ( 8 8 8 ) 7 2 6 - 9 7 4 3 -Kathy Miller, Executive Director

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The Alabama Board of Physical Therapy has had a busy 2024 year so far working to imple- ment two pieces of legislation - the PT Compact and Direct Access. We have been fielding many calls and answering as many questions as possible. There are many moving parts! Our goal regarding this legislation is to take care of the licensees while also protecting the public. Here are some information and resources for you as a licensee. Direct Access: The Alabama Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association was able to achieve leg- islative approval and passage of the PT Direct Access Bill, which was signed by Governor Ivey on May 15, 2024, and took effect June 1, 2024. This was the first update since 2012 and does provide for enhanced public access to physical therapy services. Please read the legislation as there are stipulations and requirements, which include, but are not limited to, educational requirements, limitations on patient visits, and required additional continuing education. The Board does not feel additional administrative rules are required at this time for regulation of the statute. However, there will be some new steps implemented for license renewal based on the new legislation, such as the required additional continuing education. As always, it is incumbent upon each licensee to educate themselves on the Practice Act, scope of practice, and this new law. Please be sure to review the information on Direct Access at https://arc- sos.state.al.us/ucp/L1547926.AI1.pdf. PT Compact: The Alabama Legislature approved allowing Alabama to participate in the Compact last year and the Board has been diligently working with the State to get requirements such as finger- printing and background checks underway as well as upgrading our software to allow for a smooth transition into the privilege issuing stage. As a licensee or future privilege holder, please be sure to review the information here on PT Compact Licensure at https:// ptcompact.org/How-to-Get-Privileges.

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BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

ZACH NELSON

PTA NORTH REGION

PTA Representative Zach Nelson was appointed to the Board in December 2023. Zach hails from Sylacauga and began his PTA career in July 2009 when he graduated from Jefferson State Community College and worked his way up to Rehab Director at Healthpro-Heritage, proudly serving the Veterans who reside at Bill Nichols and Robert L. Howard VA State Nursing Homes. After earning his MBA in 2021, Zach became a Nurs- ing Home Administrator for Diversicare and currently serves as Director of Operations for Amedisys Hospice. Zach further serves the community as an Advisory Council Member for the North Talladega County Academy of Health Science, is a Board Member for the Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Board, and serves on the Direc- tor of Operation Advisory Council for Amedisys Hospice. In his free time, Zach enjoys going to the gym, outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, hunting and fishing, and coaching his son's football, basketball, and baseball teams. Random Tidbits about Zach: Favorite Vacation Spot: Beach Favorite Meal: A steak, sweet potato, and salad In high school, he was most likely to: Be studying (he was Salutatorian of his graduating class), be on the foot- ball field, basketball court or in the weightroom. Zach was being recruited by several college football teams before suffering an ACL injury at the beginning of his senior year of high school. His knee rehabili-tation is what led him to his interest in physical therapy. If he wasn't in his current career, he would: dream job--writing novels or traveling the world as a photogra- pher for National Geographic; more likely a football or basketball coach. Zach loves Jeeps (especially Wranglers and Gladiators) and has written poetry since high school. He has written two fiction novels! But, alas, has not tried to have them published.

WELCOME ZACH, AND THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!

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It's not only summertime, it is renewal time! Here are a few highlights to remember: Renewal timeline: The annual licensure renewal period is July 1 through September 30. Expired license: You cannot treat with an expired license on Oct 1. License fees: $130.00 for PTs and $93.00 for PTAs (plus a processing fee). Renewal process:

• Go to our website, www.pt.alabama.gov, and select the "Licensing Renewal" tab.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Renew Your License Here."
• Select your license type, license number, last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Profile should appear and you may begin updating and entering information.

• Upload your continuing education certificates, preferably in pdf format.
  3 CEU categories for renewals:

• I graduated in the last calendar year, and I am renewing for the first time. You will be required to upload 2
  hours of Alabama Jurisprudence, unless you want to provide direct access, then an additional 2 hours is required.

• I am renewing my license for the first time in Alabama. (I am not a new graduate). You will be required to
  upload 8 hours of CE and 2 hours of Alabama Jurisprudence, unless you want to provide direct access, then an additional 2 hours is required.

• This is not my first license renewal in Alabama. You will be required to upload 10 hours of CE, unless you
  want to provide direct access, then an additional 2 hours is required. (No Alabama Jurisprudence Required). Upload the required CE documents and proceed with renewing your license. Access and print your license and your receipt once complete. It is also accessible during the year. Please use a desktop or laptop computer--mobile devices and tablets will not work properly. Keep a copy of your receipt for your records. The email with your renewal verification will come from an email address that contains "igovsolutions". Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive it in your regu- lar inbox. Profile Updates: Be sure to create/update your licensee profile under the "Services" tab. Gold Seal Certificates: If you wish to have an updated certificate with the gold seal, there is a $5.00 fee which is available to purchase on our website under the "Services" tab. We strongly encourage you to renew early to avoid any potential issues or delays!

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U N E 2 0 2 2 V O L U M E 3 1 I S S U E 2 School Visits and Trainings

Jefferson State Community College (left) LBW Community College (right)

South University in Montgomery (left)

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Congratulations New Licensees!

Don't forget you are welcome to come by and pick up your license "hot off the press"!

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Disciplinary Actions: Case #2023-015: Jenny Clardy Moseley, PTA Case #2024-004: James Macon Burnett, PTA Practiced with an Expired License Failure to Meet a Condition of Licensure Closed and Approved: January 11, 2024 Licensed Surrendered Closed and Approved: May 9, 2024

WE ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Follow and like us on Facebook! @Alabamaboardphysicaltherapy Connect with us on LinkedIn! Follow and like us on Instagram! Alabama Board of Physical Therapy @alboardpt We encourage you to check out: www.ptalabama.org www.pt.alabama.gov www.fsbpt.org www.ptcompact.org

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