Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 688 § 688.050 — Qualifications of physical therapist; examination; rules

Qualifications of physical therapist; examination; rules. (1) Each applicant for a license as a physical therapist shall: (a) Be at least 18 years of age. (b) Be of good moral character as determined by the Oregon Board of Physical Therapy. (c)(A) Be a graduate of an accredited professional physical therapy education program approved by the board; or (B) Have military experience or training that the board determines is substantially equivalent to the education required by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. (d) Pass to the satisfaction of the board an examination approved by the board to determine the fitness of the applicant to practice as a physical therapist or to be entitled to be licensed as provided in ORS 688.080. An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist who does not pass the examination on the first attempt may retake the examination as provided by rules adopted by the board. (2) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, an applicant for a license as a physical therapist who has been educated outside the United States shall: (a) Provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant’s physical therapy education program is recognized or accredited and that the applicant’s education is substantially equivalent to the education of physical therapists who graduated from accredited physical therapy education programs approved by the board. If the board determines that the education of an applicant who graduated from a physical therapy education program outside the United States is not substantially equivalent, the board may require the applicant to complete additional course work before the board proceeds with the application process. (b) Obtain an evaluation of the applicant’s educational credentials by a credentials evaluation agency approved by the board. (c) Demonstrate proficiency in English if required by the board. (d) Pass to the satisfaction of the board an examination approved by the board. (3) If an applicant who has been educated outside the United States is a graduate of an accredited physical therapy education program approved by the board, the board may waive the requirements of subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section. [1959 c.461 §5; 1971 c.585 §4; 1973 c.827 §73; 2005 c.627 §5; 2012 c.43 §15; 2019 c.43 §16] Note: The amendments to 688.050 by section 11, chapter 627, Oregon Laws 2025, become operative July 1, 2027. See section 24, chapter 627, Oregon Laws 2025. The text that is operative on and after July 1, 2027, is set forth for the user’s convenience. 688.050. (1) The Oregon Board of Physical Therapy may issue a license to practice as a physical therapist to an applicant who: (a) Applies to the board in a form and manner prescribed by the board; (b) Is at least 18 years of age; (c) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, submits proof of graduation from an accredited professional physical therapy education program accredited by a national accreditation agency and approved by the board by rule; (d) Passes, to the satisfaction of the board, a national examination described in ORS 688.058 to determine the applicant’s fitness to practice physical therapy and passes any other examinations required by the board; (e) Pays the fee required by the board; (f) Passes a state or nationwide criminal records check under ORS 181A.195 to the satisfaction of the board; and (g) Meets any other requirements established by the board by rule. (2) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, an applicant for a license as a physical therapist who has completed a physical therapy education program, including an education program of the Armed Forces of the United States, that is not accredited by a national accreditation agency and is approved by the board by rule shall: (a) Provide satisfactory evidence to the board that the applicant’s education: (A) Is substantially equivalent to that provided by an entry-level physical therapy education program accredited as described in subsection (1) of this section; (B) Is approved by the board; and (C) Prepared the applicant for engaging without restriction in the practice of physical therapy; (b) Meet any criteria for educational requirements established by the board by rule, as demonstrated by a credentials evaluation directed by the board, and complete any additional education as the board requires; (c) If required, pass an English proficiency examination prescribed by the board; and (d) Complete any supervised clinical practice required by the board by rule. (3) In addition to the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, an applicant who graduated from a physical therapy education program located in another country shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board that the education program is recognized by that country’s ministry of education or similar body. (4) In processing an application for lic