| 8/8/2014 9:08 am Date / Time filed with the Register of Regulations | VA.R. Document Number: R____-______ |
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Virginia Register Publication Information
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Transmittal Sheet: Response to Petition for Rulemaking
Initial Agency Notice
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Agency Decision
| Promulgating Board: | Board of Physical Therapy |
| Regulatory Coordinator: | Elaine J. Yeatts (804)367-4688 elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov |
| Agency Contact: | Elaine Yeatts Agency Regulatory Coordinator (804)367-4688 elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov |
| Contact Address: | Department of Health Professions 9960 Mayland Drive Henrico, VA 23233 |
| Chapter Affected: | |
| 18 vac 112 - 20: | Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy |
| Statutory Authority: |
State: Sections 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3473 through 54.1-3483 Federal: |
| Date Petition Received | 04/29/2014 |
| Petitioner | Frederick Tarantino |
The Board should require that PTA programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia accept
qualified applicants with prior misdemeanors and felonies on a case-by-case basis
so long that they are not barred under "Barrier Laws".
Agency Plan
In accordance with Virginia law, the petition has been filed with the Register of
Regulations and will be published on May 19, 2014. Comment on the petition may be
sent by email, regular mail or posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov;
comment will be requested until June 18, 2014.
Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the Board
will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language. This matter will
be on the Board's agenda for its meeting scheduled for July 15, 2014.
| Publication Date | 05/19/2014 (comment period will also begin on this date) |
| Comment End Date | 06/18/2014 |
Take no action
| Agency Response Date | 08/08/2014 |
In its regulations, the Board has defined an "approved program" as meaning an educational
program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
of the American Physical Therapy Association. The Board relies on the Commission
for appropriate oversight of physical therapy assistant programs. To redefine the
meaning of an "approved program" as requested in your petition would be a departure
from its long-standing policy of accepting national accreditation for physical therapy
education.
While the Board appreciates the dilemma created by the college's admission policy,
it does not believe it is appropriate to redefine the meaning of an approved program
to impose different criteria for acceptance. Therefore, the Board has rejected the
petition and will not initiate rulemaking.
The oversight agency for community colleges in Virginia is the State Council of Higher
Education. The Board requested that the Executive Director send a letter to NOVA
CC with a copy to SCHEV explaining its licensure process and the factors it considers
in making a licensure decision.