Frequently Asked Continuing Education Questions
Q: How do I find courses or activities that cover the 2 hour professional ethics requirement?
A: Various courses are offered by accredited universities and colleges, medical schools, state and national physical therapy associations, and private continuing education sponsors. Courses must meet the credit standards outlined in Minnesota Rules 5601.2400 and 5601.2500 to be considered for credit.
Q: Why is there a new 2 hour professional ethics requirement?
A: It is the position of the Board that maintaining professional ethics on the part of licensees is important for public protection. The Minnesota legislature shares the view that professional ethics are important in the practice of physical therapy because Minn. Stat. § 148.66 required the Board to promulgate rules prescribing a code of ethics. The Board has rules prescribing a code of ethics, but the Board also finds it reasonable to require that licensees obtain at least two hours of professional ethics continuing education every renewal cycle to ensure that licensees stay current on emerging ethical issues. Other professions that work with vulnerable populations, including for example attorneys and doctors of chiropractic licensed in Minnesota, are required to complete continuing education in professional ethics and professional boundaries, respectively, each renewal cycle.
Q: What are the self-assessment tools?
A: Please visit APTA's Self-Assessment Tools.
Explanation of Updated Rules
Scholarship - Up to 9 total hours may be earned for any combination of the following activities:
- Authoring a book, chapter or article directly relating to the practice of physical therapy. The publication must be peer-viewed;
- Preparing and presenting a scientific poster directly related to the practice of physical therapy. The poster must be peer-reviewed and continuing education hours may be earned only for the first time the licensee presents the poster.
Education and Teaching – Up to 9 total hours may be earned for any combination of the following activities:
- developing and teaching an academic course in physical therapy at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association. Continuing education hours may be earned only for the first time the licensee teaches the course;
- serving as a guest lecturer for an academic course in physical therapy at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association. Continuing education hours may be earned only for the first time the licensee teaches the course. The licensee may claim up to two hours of credit for preparation per one hour of presentation claimed;
- developing and presenting a course for a workshop or seminar approved under part 5601.2400. Continuing education hours may be earned only for the first time the licensee teaches the course. Licensee may claim up to two hours of credit for preparation per one hour of presentation claimed; and
- for physical therapists, serving as a mentor for a physical therapy residency or fellowship credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
Coursework – A maximum of 18 hours may be earned for any combination of the following activities:
- for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, successful completion of an academic course in physical therapy at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association;
- for physical therapists, completing a physical therapy clinical residency program or fellowship credentialed by the APTA;
- for physical therapists, completion of an APTA American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) certification;
- for physical therapist assistants, completion of an APTA advanced proficiency program certification; and
- for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, attendance at workshops, seminars, or conferences approved under part 5601.2400.
Self-assessment – A maximum of 3 hours may be earned for completion of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) self-assessment tools or APTA self-assessment tools.
Ethics - A minimum of two of the 20 hours of continuing education each cycle shall be on professional ethics directly related to the practice of physical therapy.
Automatic Approval – The board shall automatically grant continuing education credit meeting the standards of MN Rules 5601.2500, subpart 1 for education activities in items A to C as follows:
A. any course planned, sponsored, or cosponsored by an accredited university or college, medical school, state or national medical or osteopathic association, or a national medical specialty society;
B. any course planned, sponsored, or cosponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association or other national or state physical therapy association; and
C. any course approved by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) for the credit hours awarded by FSBPT.
Other Educational Activity (5601.2400, Subpart 2)
Any educational activity not included under subpart 1 that meets the standards of part 5601.2500 shall be approved for continuing education by the board.
An individual or organization seeking board approval of an education activity for continuing education credit as provided under this subpart
shall provide to the board documents describing the name and address of the organization sponsoring the activity, the name and address of the facility at which the activity will be presented, the name and credentials of each instructor or person making a presentation, and the course content in detail, including a time schedule for the activity.
