Oregon Code § 688.240·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.
The provisions of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact are as follows:
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PHYSICAL THERAPY
LICENSURE
COMPACT
SECTION 1.
PURPOSE
The purpose of
this Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of physical therapy with the
goal of improving public access to physical therapy services. The practice of
physical therapy occurs in the state where the patient/client is located at the
time of the patient/client encounter. The Compact preserves the regulatory
authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current
system of state licensure.
This Compact is
designed to achieve the following objectives:
1. Increase
public access to physical therapy services by providing for the mutual
recognition of other member state licenses;
2. Enhance the
states ability to protect the publics health and safety;
3. Encourage the
cooperation of member states in regulating multi-state physical therapy
practice;
4. Support
spouses of relocating military members;
5. Enhance the
exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information between
member states; and
6. Allow a remote
state to hold a provider of services with a compact privilege in that state
accountable to that states practice standards.
SECTION 2.
DEFINITIONS
As used in this
Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall
apply:
1. Active Duty
Military means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the
United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active
duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Section 1209 and 1211.
2. Adverse
Action means disciplinary action taken by a physical therapy licensing board
based upon misconduct, unacceptable performance, or a combination of both.
3. Alternative
Program means a non-disciplinary monitoring or practice remediation process
approved by a physical therapy licensing board. This includes, but is not
limited to, substance abuse issues.
4. Compact
privilege means the authorization granted by a remote state to allow a
licensee from another member state to practice as a physical therapist or work
as a physical therapist assistant in the remote state under its laws and rules.
The practice of physical therapy occurs in the member state where the
patient/client is located at the time of the patient/client encounter.
5. Continuing
competence means a requirement, as a condition of license renewal, to provide
evidence of participation in, and/or completion of, educational and
professional activities relevant to practice or area of work.
6. Data system
means a repository of information about licensees, including examination,
licensure, investigative, compact privilege, and adverse action.
7. Encumbered
license means a license that a physical therapy licensing board has limited in
any way.
8. Executive
Board means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and
within the powers granted to them by, the Commission.
9. Home state
means the member state that is the licensees primary state of residence.
10. Investigative
information means information, records, and documents received or generated by
a physical therapy licensing board pursuant to an investigation.
11. Jurisprudence
Requirement means the assessment of an individuals knowledge of the laws and
rules governing the practice of physical therapy in a state.
12. Licensee
means an individual who currently holds an authorization from the state to
practice as a physical therapist or to work as a physical therapist assistant.
13. Member state
means a state that has enacted the Compact.
14. Party state
means any member state in which a licensee holds a current license or compact
privilege or is applying for a license or compact privilege.
15. Physical
therapist means an individual who is licensed by a state to practice physical
therapy.
16. Physical
therapist assistant means an individual who is licensed/certified by a state
and who assists the physical therapist in selected components of physical
therapy.
17. Physical
therapy, physical therapy practice, and the practice of physical therapy
mean the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision
of a licensed physical therapist. The practice of physical therapy also has
the meaning given that term in ORS 688.010.
18. Physical
Therapy Compact Commission or Commission means the national administrative
body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the Compact.
19. Physical
therapy licensing board or licensing board means the agency of a state that
is responsible for the licensing and regulation of physical therapists and
physical therapist assistants.
20. Remote State
means a member state other than the home state, where a licensee is exercising
or seeking to exercise the