(A) An applicant must submit with an application for licensure:
(1) a completed notarized application form;
(2) the applicable fee in the form of a check or money order;
(3) legal documentation indicating a name change, if applicable;
(4) proof that the applicant can speak, write, and be tested in the English language if English is not the native language of country of origin.
(B) An applicant must arrange to have the official transcript sent directly to the board from the applicant's physical therapy school. An applicant who is a new graduate of an approved school applying for licensure by examination may submit verification directly from the applicant's physical therapy school with the registrar's seal stating that graduation requirements have been met if the official transcript is not yet available. A final transcript indicating the degree and date the degree was conferred must be on file before a permanent license may be issued.
(C) An applicant who is a graduate of a school that is not approved who is applying for licensure either by examination or endorsement must submit all items under subsection (A), must arrange to have an official transcript sent directly to the board, and also must submit an evaluation of educational credentials report.
(D) An applicant with a documented disability may request special accommodations to take the examination.
(E) An application for licensure must be completed within one year or the application and credentials must be brought up to date and resubmitted with payment of the applicable fee.
(F) An application must be received by the board in a completed form, and an applicant must be determined by the board to be eligible to take the examination before the applicant can register for the examination. An eligible applicant must receive notification regarding registration procedures.
(G) If an applicant fails the examination, whether or not taken in South Carolina, the applicant may take the examination up to six times, each time upon payment of the examination fee and completion of an official application. If the applicant fails the examination for a fifth time, the applicant must take courses the board may require and furnish evidence of completing these courses before taking the examination for the sixth time.
(H) No person may be licensed under this chapter if the person has failed the examination six or more times, whether or not the exam was taken in South Carolina.
(I) The grade required for passing the examination must be established by the board.
HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 360, Section 1; 2019 Act No. 64 (H.3703), Section 1, eff May 16, 2019.
Editor's Note
Prior Laws:1962 Code Section 56-1345; 1952 (47) 1967; 1964 (53) 2388; 1971 (57) 405; 1981 Act No. 35, Section 1; 1982 Act No. 413, Section 11; 1976 Code Section 40-45-110.
Effect of Amendment
2019 Act No. 64, Section 1, in (G), in the first sentence, substituted "up to six times, each time upon" for "a second time on", and rewrote the second sentence; and in (H), substituted "six or more times" for "three or more times".
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 40 - Professions and Occupations
Chapter 45 - Physical Therapists
Section 40-45-5. Application of chapter; conflicts of law.
Section 40-45-10. Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; creation and purpose; membership.
Section 40-45-20. Definitions.
Section 40-45-60. Adoption of rules and regulations; seal.
Section 40-45-70. Additional powers and duties of board.
Section 40-45-80. Investigation of complaints and violations; advisors.
Section 40-45-90. Evidence authorized to be collected for investigative purposes.
Section 40-45-100. Restraining orders and other equitable relief.
Section 40-45-115. Jurisdiction of the board.
Section 40-45-120. Board authority to take disciplinary actions and impose civil penalties.
Section 40-45-140. Denial of license based on prior criminal record.
Section 40-45-150. Voluntary surrender of license by licensee being investigated.
Section 40-45-170. Costs of investigation and prosecution; authority to require payment by violator.
Section 40-45-180. Collection and enforcement provisions for costs and fines.
Section 40-45-190. Confidentiality of proceedings and communications.
Section 40-45-200. Violations of chapter; submission of false information to the board; penalty.
Section 40-45-210. Injunctive relief.
Section 40-45-240. Licensure without examination.
Section 40-45-270. Persons exempt from licensure requirement.
Section 40-45-280. Physical therapy records; responsibility for records; contents; discharge notes.
Section 40-45-290. Physical therapy aides; permissible duties; restrictions.
Section 40-45-330. Severability.
Section 40-45-510. Purpose of compact.
Section 40-45-520. Definitions.
Section 40-45-530. State participation in the compact.
Section 40-45-540. Compact privilege.
Section 40-45-550. Active duty military personnel or their spouses.
Section 40-45-560. Adverse actions.
Section 40-45-570. Establishment of the Physical Therapy Compact Commission.
Section 40-45-580. Data system.
Section 40-45-590. Rulemaking.
Section 40-45-600. Oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement.