Summary — HB 4102 (2025): Incorporating the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact into Michigan law
Status & context
- Introduced Feb 20 / Mar 7, 2025 (depending on entry); referred to the House Committee on Health Policy. Readings and committee referrals are recorded in 2025. Companion/related measures: HB 4101 (enacts the compact text), SB 1156, HB 3943.
- Tie bar: HB 4102 does not take effect unless HB 4101 is enacted. If enacted, HB 4102 takes effect 1 year after becoming law.
Purpose
- To modify Michigan’s Public Health Code so Michigan participates in the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PTLC) and to adjust the state physical therapy licensing provisions to recognize and implement compact privileges.
Key provisions
- Adds two new sections to the Public Health Code:
- Sec. 17820a — Authorizes an individual holding a PTLC “compact privilege” to practice as a physical therapist in Michigan and treats that individual as licensed for purposes of obligations and regulation under Michigan law.
- Sec. 17820b — Likewise authorizes PTAs holding a compact privilege to practice as physical therapist assistants in Michigan (under required supervision) and treats them as licensed for legal/obligatory purposes.
- Amends definitions (Sec. 17801) to expressly reference the physical therapy licensure compact.
- Amends fee schedule (Sec. 16335) to add a fee for compact privilege: $90.00 per year.
- Amends board structure language (Sec. 17821) and requires the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy to select its director to serve as Michigan’s delegate to the PTLC’s interstate commission.
- Authorizes Michigan to collect biometric information from applicants and submit FBI criminal background checks as required by compact membership.
What the PTLC (as incorporated) does — summary of compact features
- Allows eligible license-holders in one member state (home state) to obtain a “compact privilege” to practice in other member (remote) states without obtaining a separate license from each remote state.
- Compact privilege requirements include: holding a valid, unencumbered home-state license; meeting national exam and continuing competence standards; completing any remote-state jurisprudence requirements; payment of state/commission fees; no recent adverse actions (within 2 years) affecting licensure or compact privilege.
- Remote states retain regulatory authority: a remote state may remove compact privilege, issue fines, subpoena witnesses, and participate in joint investigations. Home state retains exclusive authority to take adverse action on the home license.
- Creates the Physical Therapy Compact Commission (one delegate per member state) to adopt rules, maintain a data system (including unique identifiers), levy assessments, and administer compact responsibilities.
- Special provisions for active-duty military and spouses to select appropriate home state.
Who is affected
- Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in Michigan or in other compact member states seeking to practice in Michigan via compact privilege.
- Michigan Board of Physical Therapy (selection of delegate, regulatory oversight).
- Employers (clinics, hospitals, schools) that hire out‑of‑state PTs/PTAs.
- Patients and the public (access to out‑of‑state providers; state regulatory protections remain in force).
- Licensing/regulatory agencies (administration, background check processing, participation in the commission/data system).
Fiscal/administrative notes
- Compact privilege fee set at $90/year (Sec. 16335(2)). Other costs may include commission assessments and administrative implementation (board staffing, data integration, background checks).
- Michigan must participate in the commission’s data system and comply with compact rules, including FBI background check procedures (biometric submission).
Effective timeline & dependencies
- The bill specifies a delayed effective date: 1 year after enactment. It is tied to HB 4101 — Michigan’s actual entry into the PTLC depends on the enactment of HB 4101 (which contains the compact text and is required for HB 4102 to take effect).
Bottom line
- HB 4102 makes technical and statutory changes necessary for Michigan to implement the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact: it authorizes compact privileges for PTs and PTAs in Michigan, sets a compact privilege fee, updates definitions and board responsibilities, and enables background check processes required by compact membership. The bill only becomes effective if the companion bill enacting the compact (HB 4101) is also enacted.
