2653. An applicant for a license as a physical therapist who has graduated from a physical therapist education program that is not approved by the board and is not located in the United States shall do all of the following:
(a) Furnish documentary evidence satisfactory to the board, that he or she has completed a professional degree in a physical therapist educational program substantially equivalent at the time of his or her graduation to that issued by a board approved physical therapist education program. The professional degree must entitle the applicant to practice as a physical therapist in the country where the diploma was issued. The applicant shall meet the educational requirements set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 2650. The board may require an applicant to submit documentation of his or her education to a credentials evaluation service for review and a report to the board.
(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), demonstrate proficiency in English by achieving a score specified by the board on the Test of English as a Foreign Language administered by the Educational Testing Services or other means as may be specified by the board by regulation.
(2) An applicant shall be exempt from the requirement under paragraph (1) if the applicant has been awarded a bachelor’s degree or higher in a physical therapist educational program from a college, university, or professional training school in Australia, any part of Canada other than Quebec, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, or another English-speaking country specified by the board.
(c) Complete nine months of clinical service in a location approved by the board under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed by a United States jurisdiction, in a manner satisfactory to the board. The applicant shall have passed the written examination required in Section 2636 prior to commencing the period of clinical service. The board shall require the supervising physical therapist to evaluate the applicant and report his or her findings to the board. The board may in its discretion waive all or part of the required clinical service pursuant to guidelines set forth in its regulations. During the period of clinical service, the applicant shall be identified as a physical therapist license applicant. If an applicant fails to complete the required period of clinical service, the board may, for good cause shown, allow the applicant to complete another period of clinical service.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 454, Sec. 21. (AB 1706) Effective January 1, 2018.)