PTA License Application and Hawaii Administrative Rules are Here!

HONOLULU, HI - July 17, 2014  The Hawaii State DCCA Board of Physical Therapy has released the new application for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) licenses.  PTAs are relieved to learn that Executive Officer Alan Taniguchi reversed an initial rule that would have denied acceptance of previous FSBPT scores.  Ho'okahi Leo PTA's of Hawaii representatives expressed concern to the initial rule which may have left current PTA's out of a job beginning January 2015.  Discussions between the DCCA, HAPTA, Ho'okahi Leo and the University of Hawaii PTA Program at KCC proved fruitful, contributing to a fair and reasonable draft of rules for PTA licensing.

The fillable application can be located at the DCCA PVL office in Honolulu, or on the link http://ploneadmin.hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/boards/physicaltherapy/application_publications/physical-therapist-assistant-license

PTAs in states other than Hawaii can apply for licenses via mail or the website (listed above).

Above: King Kalakaua Building, where the Hawaii DCCA offices are located.

The Hawaii DCCA State Board of Physical Therapy has released the proposed rules for Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Licensing.  These rules will be the subject of public hearing at the DCCA in the near future.

If you are a current licensed PTA practicioner, you can apply for an examination waiver if you apply and have either:

Worked as a PTA for 5 of the last 8 years (must be signed off by supervising PT and notarized)
     or
Possess a passing score from a previous FSBPT exam (NPTE)

See Hawaii Administrative Rules governing Physical Therapy on the internet: http://ploneadmin.hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/har/pvl/ProposedHAR_16-110%20_physicaltherapy.pdf

What do you think?  (If you are a PTA please indicate so and where you practice physical therapy.)

More discussion about issues affecting PTAs on our Ho'okahi Leo facebook page:

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). 

PTAs celebrate new Licensure law

 

August 2013 -- PTAs celebrate the passing of the Physical Therapist Assistant licensure law.  Also joining in is Hawaii DCCA Board of Physical Therapy Chair, Michael Turner P.T. and his wife, Maile.

View more PTA discussion online at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hookahi-Leo/415954151801402

CONGRATULATIONS IS IN ORDER!

Congratulations everyone! SB1074 became law on June 24, 2013 and will begin enforced beginning December 2014.  All of our efforts was worth it! You all should be proud to be a part of another page in history!

View more PTA discussion online at:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hookahi-Leo/415954151801402

View the final draft version of the Hawaii State Legislature bill at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2013/Bills/SB1074_CD1_.HTM 

Ho`okahi Leo PTAs with Governor at bill signing ceremony

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Big Aloha goes out to Charles "Bo" Aki, who is the outgoing Chairperson of the DCCA Board of Physical Therapy.  Mr. Aki's term as chairperson ended this June 2013.  Mr. Aki was a supporter of PTA licensure and the Physical Therapy field in Hawaii.  Mahalo nui loa, Bo!

Charles "Bo" Aki

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More at our facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hookahi-Leo/415954151801402

hawaii governor abercrombie pta licensing law @cristmoniskaniaupio @celestevantreeseosaki @lisaisono @pomaikaianduha @jonulibas