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H 2490

An Act establishing a physical therapy licensure compact

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sal DiDomenico and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts joins the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, enabling cross-state practice via a compact privilege while preserving state licensure authority.

Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
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Bill Summary · H 2490

Summary: H 2490 — An Act Establishing a Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

Overview

  • Bill: H 2490 (House Docket No. 2025)
  • Title: An Act establishing a physical therapy licensure compact
  • Purpose: Create a Massachusetts-enabled framework to participate in a national Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, enabling mutual recognition of licenses and cross-state practice to improve public access to physical therapy services.
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
  • Sponsors: Adrian C. Madaro (primary); cosponsors Sal N. DiDomenico and Aaron L. Saunders
  • Related: Similar matter previously filed (HD 2025; see HD 2233 of 2023-2024)

Purpose and Goals

  • Facilitate interstate practice of physical therapy when care is delivered to a patient located in the state at the time of the encounter.
  • Preserve state regulatory authority to protect public health and safety through existing licensure systems while enabling cross-state practice through the Compact.
  • Objectives include:
    • Increase public access to PT services via mutual recognition of member-state licenses
    • Enhance states’ ability to protect health and safety
    • Promote interstate cooperation in regulating multi-state PT practice
    • Support spouses of relocating military members
    • Improve exchange of licensure, investigation, and disciplinary information
    • Hold providers practicing under a compact privilege in a remote state to that state’s practice standards

Key Provisions and Definitions

  • Establishes Chapter 112A ( Physical Therapy Licensure Compact) in Massachusetts law.
  • Defines core terms, including:
    • Active Duty Military, Adverse Action, Alternative Program
    • Compact privilege: authorization allowing a licensee from a member state to practice in a remote state under that state’s rules
    • Home state vs. remote state; member state vs. party state
    • Continuing competence; data system; investigative information; licensee; physical therapy/physiotherapist
    • Physical Therapy Compact Commission (the national administrative body)
  • Creates a framework whereby a physical therapist or PT assistant licensed in one member state may practice in another member state under a compact privilege, with patient-care location determining where practice occurs.
  • Emphasizes information sharing, accountability, and standardized requirements across member states.

How Licensure Would Work (High-level)

  • Participation requirements for Massachusetts:
    • Full participation in the Commission’s data system and use of its identifiers
    • Mechanisms to receive and investigate complaints; share adverse actions and investigative information
    • Implementation of criminal background checks; use FBI background check results in licensure decisions
    • Adoption and adherence to Commission rules
    • Use of a recognized national examination for licensure
    • Maintaining continuing competence requirements for license renewal
  • The Compact aims to create:
    • “Compact privilege” pathways for practice in remote states
    • A centralized data and disciplinary information framework
    • Mutual recognition while preserving each state’s core licensure authority

Who and What Is Affected

  • Affects physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) licensed in Massachusetts, and potentially those licensed in other member states seeking to practice in Massachusetts under the Compact.
  • Public: improved access to PT services and clearer accountability when practicing across state lines.
  • Military families: potential benefits through streamlined licensure processes for spouses relocating with service members.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Referred to Public Health (2/27/2025)
  • Subsequently reported favorably by committee and referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing (10/27/2025)
  • Related hearing dates and updates noted (e.g., rescheduling in July 2025)
  • This bill is part of the 2025-2026 legislative session in Massachusetts.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Pros: Easier cross-state practice, expanded patient access, standardized national standards, improved information sharing, and licensee mobility.
  • Cons: Requires robust data systems, consistent compliance with cross-state rules, and careful handling of investigative/adverse-action information across jurisdictions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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