Board of Physical Therapy sends licensing rules draft to the Governor

On June 3, 2014 the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy met at their Honolulu headquarters and discussed the status of Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) licensing.  The Hawaii Legislature passed a law last year that will require PTAs to be licensed by the State of Hawaii by December 2014.  Michael Turner (PT),  Chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy stated that the Administrative Rules pursuant to the PTA Licensing law is completed and has been passed to Governor Abercrombie and he has referred it to the office of the State Attorney General for review.  Board member subcommittee Chair Rachelle Iopa (PT) stated that the new licensing requirements are comparable to those required for licensing by the FSBPT.  Deputy Attorney General Rod Tam discussed minor language "housekeeping" changes to the Administrative Rules.  Public hearings will be held at a future Board meeting to hear public commentary on the new Administrative Rules governing PTA licensing.

The Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy asked questions of the PTAs in the audience with respect to the PTA law and proposed continued competence education requirements.  Ho`okahi Leo officers Cris Monis-Kani'aupi'o (PTA) and Celeste Van Treese-Osaki (PTA) offered their knowledge and opinions on licensing and continued competence education.  Matt Yamamoto (ILWU) also offered some background information to the Board members.  Executive Officer Taniguchi advised the Board members that there is no continued competence requirement in neither the new or existing law.

The Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy also announced that a temporary Executive Officer, Alan Taniguchi, has been appointed by the Governor in the absence of Kenyatta Nichols.  Kenyatta Nichols was the Executive Officer of the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy during the legislative session that passed the PTA licensing law.  Alan Taniguchi is a former Executive Officer of the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy. 

Executive Officer Taniguchi presented Michael Turner (PT) with a certificate of recognition of ten years of service as a Board member.  Mr. Turner has been a staunch supporter of licensing for PTAs.

New Board members recently appointed by the Governor are: Elizabeth McCreary (consumer) and Russell Chung (consumer).