Continuing Competence (2024)

As defined by the proposed rules (21 NCAC 48G .0105), continuing competence encompasses “the licensee’s ongoing activities to augment knowledge, skills, behaviors, and abilities related to the practice of physical therapy.”

Rules 21 NCAC 48G .0106 (for current licensees) and 21 NCAC 48G .0203 (for reviving licenses) describe the basic requirements. Generally, 30 points for Physical Therapists and 20 points for Physical Therapist Assistants are required per 25 month reporting period.

Yes. Each category has limitations and maximum points that may be earned toward the requirement. Any maximums or limitations are listed in each rule (21 NCAC 48G .0109). Up to 10 points earned in excess of the requirement may be carried over from one reporting period to the next. Carry over points may not be claimed from Jurisprudence Exercises, Clinical Practice, or Self-Assessment categories.

The required documentation for each activity in a category is listed in the rule (21 NCAC 48G.0109).

No. Documentation should be kept by the licensee unless the Board requests the documentation pursuant to an audit.

Board rules state documentation should be kept for 4 years after the close of the reporting period for which the activity was claimed for points.

Links to forms that may be used to document some categories of continuing competence are provided on the Continuing Competence Reporting application on the Board website. Forms available include: Clinical Instructor Documentation and Verification of Clinical Practice. These forms are not mandatory but can assist in recording the required information.

Yes, large documents may be submitted in their entirety in electronic format.

According to the rule, for an audit to be legitimate and maintain the integrity of the process, documentation must be submitted. A copy of the signed non-disclosure agreement and any materials that would fulfill the requirements without breaking the non-disclosure agreement will be required. Decisions about whether these materials meet the requirement will be done on a case-by-case basis.

Activities included in the PT Scope of Practice may be found in the Practice act and include clinically related, ethically related, and Healthcare management related topics. Questions on whether a topic is relevant should be directed to the Board office, PTBoard@ncptboard.org.

Add the total number of clinical hours worked at both jobs and determine under which category the total hours fit: less than 200 hours, 1000 hours or more or 1750 hours or more. The total number of hours worked in all jobs determines the number of points earned for that year.

Rule .0109 (a)(2 ) addresses post-baccalaureate, academic courses under which courses taken in a transitional DPT would fall. 3 credit hour courses will earn 45 points per course for a grade of “C” or better or a “P” if the course is taken Pass/Fail.

As stated in the definition of physical therapy in the Practice Act: “Physical therapy” means the evaluation or treatment of “any person” which does not include animals. Course content relating to physical therapy on animals would not count toward points because treatment of animals in NC cannot be referred to as physical therapy. However, the use of animals in physical therapy such as hippotherapy could be included. If the course contained content about hippotherapy and otherwise met the criteria in Rule .0107 it may be counted for continuing competence points.

Approval of Providers and Activities is described in 21 NCAC 48G .0108. The licensee is responsible for determining if a course is approved. In general, any course approved by a Chapter or section of APTA, FSBPT, IACET or a state PT licensure board in the US or Canada is considered approved for points by NCBPTE. If this information is not listed on a course brochure or website, the licensee should call the provider of the continuing education and ask whether the course has been approved. If it has not been approved, the licensee may submit an application for approval to NCBPTE. A licensee should review Rule .0108 for a complete listing of pre-approved providers and view the listing of courses NCBPTE has approved by consulting the Continuing Competence link on the Board website. APTA-NC is also able to approve providers and courses at https://aptanc.org.

Download the application form under the Continuing Competence link on the Board website. Submit the completed application, supporting materials, and fees to the Board. Applications will not be processed without proper fees or all supporting materials.

The cost for providers, $150.00 and for licensees $25.00

Yes, a course may be submitted to your provider of choice for review to obtain course approval. You may submit the course to any chapter or section of APTA, any state PT licensure board in the US or Canada or FSBPT for approval. In North Carolina, you may submit to APTA-NC or NCBPTE. Applications and fee requirements may be found online for both of these organizations.

No, once the course application has been approved, it is approved for all licensees.

Some workplace education is eligible for points. Rule 21 NCAC 48G .0109 (i) outlines which activities may be eligible. One option is to recommend to your employer they become an approved provider and then points may be accumulated at the highest rate.

APTA credentialed residency or fellowship programs in physical therapy qualify for continuing education contact hours (one point per contact hour).

Random audits of licensees will be conducted after each reporting period. Your reporting period is determined by your date of licensure. It is very important that licensees retain evidence of compliance with the continuing competence requirements for a period of 4 years following any reporting period so that they may comply with a possible audit.

In rule 21 NCAC 48G .0109 (h), a reflective practice exercise is described as “a process for a licensee to evaluate current clinical abilities, to establish goals to improve clinical abilities, to develop a plan to meet those goals, and documentation that the objectives are being accomplished.” An approved RPE can be found at the NCBPTE website https://ncptboard.org under Continuing Competence links. Other self-assessment tools may be used if submitted to the Board for approval.