Physical Therapy Board of California

Equivalency PTA Applicant

Education/Experience Verification

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The following documents shall be submitted to verify your education and experience as applicable to your qualification pathway:

1. Military Training
   1. Completed PTA Equivalency Application Coursework Checklist (Coursework Checklist) pursuant to Title 16 of California Code of Regulations Section 1398.47(c) - general education requirements.
   2. Official, unopened transcripts verifying courses you included on the Coursework Checklist.
   3. Official, unopened record verifying completion of military training, including satisfactory completion of basic hospital corps member course and of a formal physical therapist assistant course that includes:
      1. A minimum of 550 hours of technical courses relating to physical therapy, and
      2. 350 hours of supervised clinical experience.
2. Training and Experience
   1. Completed PTA Equivalency Application Coursework Checklist (Coursework Checklist) pursuant to Title 16 of California Code of Regulations section 1398.47(c) – general education requirements.
   2. Official, unopened transcript verifying courses you included on the Coursework Checklist.
   3. Official, unopened transcript verifying satisfactory completion of 30 semester units or 40 quarter units of instruction in a variety of the following technical areas: Human anatomy and physiology, including laboratory experience; kinesiology and topographical anatomy; first-aid; basic principles of electromagnetism, mechanics and thermodynamics, biomechanics, and massage; application of therapeutic exercise and modalities for the physically disabled; survey of pathophysiological conditions resulting from injury or disease; ethics; and laws relating to physical therapy.

   4. Verification of Clinical Experience (V1) form verifying completion of 36 months of full-time work experience. Eighteen months of the work experience shall be in providing patient-related tasks under the orders, direction, and immediate supervision of a physical therapist in an acute care in-patient facility.

      Work experience shall be obtained under the orders, direction and immediate supervision of (1) a physical therapist licensed by the board, (2) a physical therapist employed by the United States Government, or (3) an out-of-state licensed physical therapist who has qualifications equivalent to a physical therapist licensed by the board, and shall consist of assisting the supervising physical therapist in the treatment of patients of both sexes, varying ages and disabilities. Full-time work experience shall be credited on the basis of a compensated 40-hour work week, allowing for the usual and customary periods of absence. Work credit shall be given for part-time employment. The work experience shall have been obtained within ten years of the date the application for licensure is filed with the board, provided that, one-half of the experience has been obtained within five years of the application.

3. Successful Completion of CAPTE-Accredited PT Program

   Certificate of Completion (P1E) from CAPTE-accredited PT program. This form may be submitted:

   1. Via email if being emailed directly from PT program.
   2. Via USPS mail. If you are mailing the form the Board, it must remain in the original sealed envelope.