Alabama Board of Physical Therapy

The Board reviewed and accepted the licensee, financial, and committee reports, including the recommendations from the Violations Committee. Discussions were held regarding the Direct Access Law, which was tabled for further consideration, and scholarship opportunities, which were tabled indefinitely. New business included an investigation into Hinge Health as a telehealth provider, guidelines for physical therapists in sports sideline emergency situations, and an inquiry into the possibility of offering free continuing education courses for licensees in conjunction with an annual conference.

The board meeting focused on the official certification of a Continuing Education rule change after the public comment period concluded with no objections. Additionally, the meeting served as a forum for calling and collecting nominations for open physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, and consumer member positions to be submitted to the Governor for consideration.

The meeting included an open discussion regarding state legislative matters, the presentation of licensee, financial, executive director, and wellness reports. The board reviewed recommendations from the Violations Committee concerning various complaints and discussed the feasibility of providing student scholarships, which was found to be financially unsustainable at this time. Additionally, the board reviewed progress on direct access legislation, noting current opposition to proposed changes.

The board reviewed various reports, including licensee, financial, and violations committee reports. A discussion was held regarding Direct Access legislation, with the creation of a 2026 Working Group to address the matter. The board also discussed scholarship opportunities, approved a draft rule change concerning continuing education minimum duration, discussed the winter newsletter, and selected the FSBPT voting delegate and alternate.

The meeting included discussions on new licensees, a report from the Violations Committee, an update on the legal compliance review by the Examiners of Public Accounts, and a financial report. There was also a Communications Committee report where the ownership of the board's brochure design was discussed, and a Wellness Committee report. The board discussed proposed amendments to Rule 700-X-2-.09 and suggestions for improving the board's nominations/elections process. Updates were provided on Alabama Interactive's online renewal software, and topics for the August 2015 newsletter were assigned.