Examiners

Physical therapists work to alleviate pain

and improve movement in patients who

have an impairment or injury that is

limiting normal body movement.

THE HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE BOARD

Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are

licensed by the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners,

which was established by the Physical Therapy Licensing

Act of 1983. The Board comprises 11 members: six licensed

physical therapists, one physical therapist assistant, one

physician licensed by the State of New Jersey, one employee

of the executive branch of State government and two

members of the public. Each Board member, appointed by

the governor with the advice and consent of the State

Senate, serves for three years and for not more than two

consecutive terms.

Licensed physical therapists may examine and evaluate pa-

tients, develop a diagnosis and prognosis, develop and/or

modify a plan of care, or independently engage in physical

therapy instruction. The instruction can include the

recommendation of assistive devices and modifications of

the patient's physical environment.

Physical therapist assistants, who may practice only under

the direction of a licensed physical therapist, may docu-

ment treatments ordered and cosigned by a licensed physi-

cal therapist, in addition to participating in the collection

of data for the examination of the patient. However, a li-

censed physical therapist assistant may not initiate physical

therapy treatment upon the direction of a licensed physi-

cian or other health care provider without the direct super-

vision of a licensed physical therapist.

CHECKING A LICENSE OR FILING A CONSUMER COMPLAINT-

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

The State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners' Web

If you are told by a physician or surgeon that the services of a

licensed physical therapist would benefit you, choose a few

names of physical therapists who practice in your area. (A rec-

ommendation from a friend or family member is a good idea,

but you also can check your local phone book for a listing of

these professionals in your area.) Then, go to the Board's Web

site and select the link Licensee Information. Choose the link

Physical Therapist Licensee Directory. This will allow you to

type in the name and practice location of one physical thera-

pist at a time to find out if the individual has a current license

in good standing, and whether there has ever been disciplinary

action taken against that licensee. You may also enter the name

of a town to find a list of all the licensees who are located there.

The Licensee Information page allows you to enter the name

and practice location of physical therapist assistants; but re-

member, these licensees may only practice under the direct

guidance of a licensed physical therapist.

IN CONCLUSION

The State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners tirelessly

focuses on serving the consumers of New Jersey when the

Board's licensees are called upon to intervene in a patient's

life to alleviate pain and to treat a physical impairment and/

or a movement-related functional limitation by means of

physical therapy intervention. The Board investigates every

complaint it receives after carefully reviewing the detailed

account of the situation in the complaint. The Board then

gives the licensee an opportunity to respond to the allega-

tions. The Board has the power to order that a licensee's

professional activities be monitored and, when necessary,

to suspend or revoke a license. The protection of New

Jersey's consumers, especially at a time when those in need

of the services of a licensed physical therapist or physical

therapist assistant are at their most vulnerable, is the Board's

overriding goal.

Anyone who wishes to be licensed as a physical therapist in

New Jersey must obtain a master's degree in physical therapy

from an accredited college or university or, if the applicant

graduated before January 1, 2003, a bachelor's degree and

a certificate in physical therapy from an accredited college

or university. Applicants also must complete all of the clini-

cal education requirements of an approved physical therapy

program, as well as passing a written examination. To lea