Minnesota Administrative Rules Agency 155 - Physical Therapy BoardMinnesota Administrative Rules Agency 155 - Physical Therapy Board
Minnesota Administrative Rules – Agency 155 (Physical Therapy Board)
1. Overview
Agency 155 refers to the Physical Therapy Board of Minnesota, which regulates the practice of physical therapy and physical therapist assistants in the state.
The Minnesota Administrative Rules (MAR) set by Agency 155 govern:
Licensure requirements
Scope of practice
Professional conduct and ethics
Continuing education
Disciplinary procedures
The rules ensure that physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) practice safely, competently, and ethically.
2. Scope and Purpose
The primary purposes of Agency 155 rules are to:
Protect public health and safety by regulating licensure.
Define the scope of practice for PTs and PTAs.
Set professional standards for ethical and competent care.
Establish procedures for disciplinary actions against licensees who violate rules or laws.
Ensure continuing education to maintain professional competence.
3. Licensure Requirements
Under Agency 155:
Physical Therapist (PT) Licensure requires:
Graduation from a board-approved physical therapy program.
Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
Completing any state-specific jurisprudence exam or requirements.
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Licensure requires:
Graduation from a board-approved PTA program.
Passing the NPTE for PTAs.
Meeting any state-specific educational or ethical requirements.
Temporary Licenses may be issued in certain situations, e.g., while awaiting exam results.
4. Scope of Practice
Agency 155 defines what PTs and PTAs may do:
PTs may:
Evaluate patients, diagnose movement impairments, develop and implement treatment plans.
Perform therapeutic interventions, prescribe exercises, and modify treatment.
PTAs may:
Provide care under supervision of a licensed PT.
Implement treatment plans designed by the PT, and report patient progress.
Delegation and Supervision Rules:
PTs are responsible for supervision, direction, and oversight of PTAs.
Specific ratios of PT to PTA may be prescribed in certain settings.
5. Continuing Education (CE)
To maintain licensure:
PTs and PTAs must complete a specified number of continuing education hours during each renewal cycle (often 24 hours per 2 years, but exact hours are defined in MAR 155).
CE must relate to current practice, ethics, or patient safety.
Some CE may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or patient safety updates.
6. Professional Conduct and Ethics
Agency 155 includes rules for:
Unprofessional conduct, such as:
Sexual misconduct
Fraudulent billing
Misrepresentation of credentials
Practicing under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Standards for patient care, including informed consent, documentation, and privacy.
Obligations to report unsafe practice by colleagues.
7. Disciplinary Procedures
Agency 155 outlines procedures for investigation and discipline of licensees who violate rules:
Investigation:
Complaints may be filed by patients, employers, or the board itself.
The board investigates and collects evidence.
Actions:
Reprimand or warning
Probation with conditions
Suspension or revocation of license
Civil fines
Hearing Rights:
Licensees are entitled to notice and a fair hearing before disciplinary action is finalized.
8. Recordkeeping and Documentation
Licensees must:
Maintain accurate patient records, including treatment plans and progress notes.
Ensure records are accessible for inspection if required by the board.
Retain records for the period specified in MAR 155, usually several years.
9. Key Provisions in MAR 155
Definitions of PT and PTA roles.
Educational and exam requirements for licensure.
Rules on delegation, supervision, and patient care responsibilities.
CE and license renewal requirements.
Standards of professional conduct.
Complaint investigation and disciplinary procedures.
Requirements for recordkeeping and reporting.
10. Summary Table
| Feature | Agency 155 – Physical Therapy Board |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Regulate PTs and PTAs; protect public health and safety |
| Licensure Requirements | Graduation from approved programs; NPTE; state-specific requirements |
| Scope of Practice | PTs: evaluation and treatment; PTAs: assist under supervision |
| Continuing Education | Mandatory hours per renewal cycle; focus on safety and ethics |
| Professional Conduct | Ethical practice, reporting obligations, prohibition of unprofessional conduct |
| Disciplinary Actions | Reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, fines |
| Recordkeeping | Maintain accurate patient records, retain for required period |
In short:
Minnesota Administrative Rules, Agency 155, sets comprehensive standards for licensure, practice, ethics, and discipline of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. It ensures that PTs and PTAs provide safe, competent, and ethical care, while giving the board authority to investigate and discipline violations.
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