H.B. No. 3717
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to exemptions from the requirement to hold a license to
  practice physical therapy.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 453.004(b), Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  This chapter does not apply to:
               (1)  a physical therapy aide;
               (2)  a physical therapy student or physical therapist
  assistant student:
                     (A)  participating in an accredited physical
  therapy or physical therapist assistant educational program; and
                     (B)  being supervised by a license holder under
  this chapter;
               (3)  a student:
                     (A)  participating in an accredited allied health
  science program leading to licensure by another state agency; and
                     (B)  being supervised by properly licensed,
  certified, or registered personnel;
               (4)  a physical therapist who is licensed in another
  jurisdiction of the United States if the person is engaging, for not
  more than 90 days in a 12-month period and under the supervision of
  a physical therapist licensed in this state, in a special project or
  clinic required for completion of a post-professional degree in
  physical therapy from an accredited college or university, and the
  person notifies the board of the person's intent to practice in this
  state [person practicing physical therapy and engaging in a special
  project in patient care while working toward an advanced degree
  from an accredited college or university]; or
               (5)  a person who practices physical therapy or as a
  physical therapy assistant and who is:
                     (A)  practicing physical therapy in the United
  States armed services, United States Public Health Service, or
  Veterans Administration in compliance with federal regulations for
  licensure of health care providers;
                     (B)  licensed in another jurisdiction of the
  United States or credentialed to practice physical therapy in
  another country if the person:
                           (i)  is teaching, demonstrating, or
  practicing physical therapy in an educational seminar in this state
  for not more than 60 days in a 12-month period, and the person
  notifies the board of the person's intent to practice in this state;
  or
                           (ii)  by contract or employment, is
  practicing physical therapy in this state for not more than 60 days
  in a 12-month period for an athletic team or organization or a
  performing arts company temporarily competing or performing in this
  state; or
                     (C)  licensed in another jurisdiction of the
  United States, if the person notifies the board of the person's
  intent to practice in this state, and:
                           (i)  is practicing physical therapy for not
  more than 60 days during a declared local, state, or national
  disaster or emergency; or
                           (ii)  is displaced from the person's
  residence or place of employment due to a declared local, state, or
  national disaster and is practicing physical therapy in this state
  for not more than 60 days after the date the disaster is declared [a
  physical therapist who does not live in this state, is licensed by
  the appropriate authority, and is in this state for a period not to
  exceed six months to attend an educational activity].
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3717 was passed by the House on May 6,
  2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 3717 on May 29, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0,
  2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3717 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 26, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays
  0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor