Bill
SF 172
Wyoming joins the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing out-of-state PTs/PTAs to practice via compact privilege, expanding access while preserving state regulation.
Status & timeline (key dates)
- Introduced: Jan 30, 2025.
- Senate: Referred to Labor, reported out, passed Senate (2/10/2025) — vote 29–1–1.
- House: Received 2/10/2025; referred to H07 (Corporations) — committee recommended Do Pass (6–3) on 2/27/2025; placed on General File; House COW: “Did not consider for COW.”
- Amendment S-3017 filed 3/5/2025 (see note below). Bill pending further House action.
Purpose
- Establish Wyoming’s membership in the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (“PT Compact”) to facilitate interstate practice by allowing physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) licensed in one compact member state to practice in other member states via a “compact privilege.” The stated goals include increasing public access, improving interstate cooperation on licensure/discipline, assisting military spouses, and preserving state regulatory authority.
Key provisions
- Creates Article 2 (Physical Therapy Licensure Compact) in state law with standard compact elements:
- Definitions for compact terms (compact privilege, home/remote state, licensing board, commission, etc.).
- Requirement that member states participate in the PT Compact Commission data system and share licensure, investigative and disciplinary information.
- Compact privilege: a remote member state may authorize an out‑of‑state licensee to practice in that state under local laws/rules without a separate full license.
- Member states may charge fees for granting compact privileges.
- Member states must have mechanisms to receive/investigate complaints and notify the commission of adverse actions.
- Requirement to utilize a recognized national examination and continuing competence requirements for licensure.
- Criminal background checks: Applicants must submit information to obtain biometric‑based FBI criminal history records (citing authority under 28 U.S.C. § 534 and 42 U.S.C. § 14616); states must fully implement this requirement within a rule‑established timeframe.
- Preserves states’ authority to regulate and discipline licensees; establishes commission governance and rulemaking (text truncated in provided document).
Who is affected
- Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants seeking to practice across state lines (including those seeking compact privileges).
- Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy (administration, licensing, investigative reporting).
- Consumers/patients who may gain greater access to PT services.
- Potentially relocating military families and licensees with out‑of‑state practice locations.
Fiscal impact (from LSO fiscal note)
- Anticipated net decrease in Special Revenue Fund receipts from application and renewal fees:
- FY2026: –$25,114 (application fees) and –$22,800 (renewal fees) shown in the fiscal note. Subsequent FYs show similar decreases (tables show continuing revenue reductions, e.g., FY2027 renewal decrease $8,250; FY2028 $4,125).
- One‑time expenditure increase: estimated ~$2,500 (FY2026) for Enterprise Technology Services to implement required changes.
- Assumptions include: 70% of out‑of‑state applicants would use compact privilege instead of endorsement; at least 50% of active licensees with out‑of‑state addresses may not renew a Wyoming license.
Procedural/implementation notes
- The PT Compact Commission can levy assessments on member boards, though historically (since 2017) it has not; compact operations have been funded by sale of compact privileges to licensees.
- Additional implementing rules, participation in the national data system, and completion of criminal‑history process are required before full operational effect.
Note on amendment S-3017
- An amendment (S‑3017) appears in the legislative record attached to this bill file. The amendment text provided relates to K–6 child sexual abuse/assault awareness curriculum notification and parental opt‑out procedures — content unrelated to the PT Compact. The presence of that amendment text in the bill file may reflect a clerical/drafting misattachment or a separate education committee action; readers should consult the official legislative docket for current amendment status.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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