URGENT NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS

Effective immediately, a change has been made to the licensure and certification processes in Arizona. Beginning May 2, 2017,  a legislative change to A.R.S. §32-2022 requires that all initial applicants for licensure as a physical therapist and certification as a physical therapist assistant obtain and provide a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Department of Public Safety as an application requirement.

The change in qualification requirements impacts all applications received on or after May 2, 2017, and all pending applications for which a license or certificate has not yet been issued even if the application has received contingent approval from the Board. In addition, approval for testing on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and the AZLAW examinations requires the Board of Physical Therapy have a copy of a valid fingerprint clearance card before approving applicants to test. 

If you hold a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card and have an application pending before the Board please immediately send a copy of the card to the Board Office to comply with the new law. If you do not hold a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card please follow the instructions below. The Department of Public Safety is now accepting applications for finger print clearance cards. However, you may need to request a temporary addendum to the fingerprint clearance card application.

You must hold a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card. (A.R.S. §32-2022)

a. If you have a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card, submit a photocopy of the front and back of the card to the Board. If you forward the copy of the card electronically, please ensure it is in a PDF format.

b. If you do not have a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card obtain a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Department of Public Safety. There is currently not a projected date when the Department of Public Safety will begin to accept applications from physical therapy and physical therapist assistant applicants.

  i. To obtain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card, you may apply online at http://fieldprintarizona.com if you are in state. OR
  ii. If you are out of state or do not have access to an internet connected device contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) for a Fingerprint Clearance Card application packet. You may contact them by either calling 602.223.2279 or faxing your request to 602.223.2947. DPS office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  iii. On either Fingerprint Clearance Card application select Paid Employee and the appropriate statutory authority. ARS § 32-2022         iv. For more information, please review DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card Frequently Asked Questions at http://www.azdps.gov/services/fingerprint/  

The mission of the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy is to protect the public from the incompetent, unprofessional, and unlawful practice of physical therapy. The Arizona Physical Therapy Practice Act establishes the standards for the practice of physical therapy, continuing competence and testing, and defines the scope and limitations of practice. The Board licenses and certifies qualified applicants as physical therapists and physical therapist assistants; and receives, investigates and adjudicates complaints against licensees and certificate holders.

WHAT IS PHYSICAL THERAPY?

Physical therapy is a specialized area of healthcare that includes therapeutic exercise, manual therapy techniques, patient related instruction, and many other interventions. For the complete list of care and services provided, please view A.R.S. §32-2001 (12) and physical therapy services for more information.

BE SAFE!

Because public safety is the primary reason for our existence, we recommend that a savvy consumer be pro-active in choosing a PT health care professional.  Verification of Arizona license to practice PT and certification to work as a PTA may be ascertained at our website.  Information can also be obtained by calling our office at 602-274-0236.  Whether you live in the state of Arizona or you move to another state, a physical therapist must be licensed by that state before legally practicing as a physical therapist.  Every state in the United States requires licensure before the physical therapist is allowed to practice in that state.