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Bill Summary · SB 669

SB 669 — Physical Therapy Practice Act Modifications (North Carolina)

Status: Passed 1st reading (Mar 26, 2025). Introduced: Feb 20, 2025. Sponsor: Sen. Sawrey. Referred to Rules and Operations of the Senate.

Purpose and intent

SB 669 updates the State’s Physical Therapy Practice Act to clarify the definition of “physical therapy,” revise the composition, appointment process, qualifications, and removal rules for the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, and expand the Board’s regulatory and disciplinary authorities — including continuing competence requirements and confidentiality rules for investigations. The stated goal is to modernize scope language and strengthen board governance and oversight of licensees.

Key provisions

  • Revised definition of “physical therapy” to explicitly include:

    • Evaluation/treatment using heat, light, water, electricity, sound, massage, therapeutic exercise and other rehabilitative procedures;
    • Performance of specialized neuromuscular tests, therapeutic procedures, implementation of referrals, and establishment/modification of physical therapy programs;
    • That evaluation/treatment be commensurate with education/training, practice standards, and Board regulations.
    • Retains exclusions (e.g., application of roentgen rays/radioactive materials, surgery, chiropractic practice, medical diagnosis).

  • Board composition and appointment:

    • Creates an 8‑member North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners: 1 medical doctor, 4 physical therapists (PTs), 2 physical therapist assistants (PTAs), and 1 public member.
    • Governor appoints members from a list compiled by the state chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTANC) following a public nomination process.
    • PT and PTA appointees must (prior to appointment) have at least 3 years’ experience and remain actively engaged in practice while serving.
    • Terms: three‑year terms beginning Jan 1; no more than two successive terms.

  • Board governance and member removal:

    • Board may immediately remove a member for loss of qualifications, three successive unexcused absences, rule/Article violations, or immoral/unprofessional conduct that compromises Board integrity.
    • Annual designation of chairman and secretary‑treasurer; members receive per diem and travel reimbursement consistent with licensing boards.

  • Powers and duties:

    • License examination and credentialing; authority to issue, renew, deny, restrict, suspend, revoke, or discipline PT and PTA licenses.
    • Authority to conduct confidential investigations; investigation records privileged (not public), while final decisions, hearing notices, charges, and admitted hearing materials are public (with redaction for patient-identifying treatment information).
    • Board to establish mechanisms for assessing continuing competence (e.g., continuing education, audits, remedial measures).

Who is affected

  • Licensed and prospective physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in North Carolina (education/experience and licensing procedures).
  • The Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (composition, nomination procedures, powers).
  • Employers and practice settings (hospitals, clinics, private practices) that must comply with any updated Board standards and continuing competence rules.
  • The public/patients (changes intended to affect public protection and oversight).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced Feb 20, 2025; passed first reading in the Senate on Mar 26, 2025 and referred to the Rules and Operations committee. Further committee review, amendments, and subsequent floor votes are required before possible enactment.

Fiscal and other impacts

  • The bill text supplied does not include an explicit fiscal note. Potential administrative impacts could arise from new nomination/recordkeeping processes, Board operations (removal/hearing processes), and implementation of continuing competence mechanisms.

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

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