Physical Therapy Regulations

The Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (MDBPTE) was established in 1947 under Title 13, Health Occupations Article and its Rules and Regulations.

The mission of the Board is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all Marylanders through the enforcement of applicable statutes and regulations. The mission is accomplished by establishing appropriate eligibility requirements, setting practice parameters and standards of conduct and the enforcement of these requirements, parameters, and standards.

Duties of the Board include: writing regulations, interpreting the scope of practice, educating licensees, and disciplining those who violate the law. The most important function is protecting the citizens of Maryland.

Open Session Board Meetings

Open Session Board meetings are held every third Tuesday of the month at 1:00 PM and are open to the public.

News from the Board

NEW Implicit Bias Training Requirement for Licensure and Renewal

In 2021, a bill passed that mandates healthcare workers participate in implicit bias training starting April 2022. This new legislation was established  to confront racial inequality in the healthcare system.

Now, evidence-based implicit bias training is required of any health care professional looking to renew their license with a health occupations board. APTAMD is developing a course that meets this requirement at our Annual Conference November 13-14, 2021.

As is indicated by the bill, the program is for PTs and PTAs  along with physicians, dentists, nurses, psychologists, and other “allied health professionals.”  

CEUs for Renewal

CEUs FOR 2022 Renewal Period Must Be Earned Between 4/1/ 2020-3/31/ 2022.

The Board is encouraging licensees to start earning the required CEUs for 2022 renewal (three (3) CEUs or thirty (30) CE hours for PTs, and two (2) CEUs or twenty (20) CE hours for PTAs) to do so not later than March 31, 2022.

REMINDER: Any CE hours earned between April 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 used for 2020 renewal can not be used for 2022 renewal.

Questions? Contact Deputy Director of Administration Okehie 

Temporary Licensure for PTs and PTAs

The passing of Senate Bill 517 “Temporary Licenses to Practice Physical Therapy and Limited Physical Therapy,” became effective July 1, 2021. Temporary licensure allows applicants to practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist for a limited period of time pending successfully passing the exam. Temporary license physical therapists and physical therapist assistants meet education and experience requirements but have not taken and passed a national examination. The passing of this bill will now lead to the Board drafting regulations.

2 PT Positions Open for Nomination on the Licensing Board
The APTA Maryland has been asked by the Governor’s Appointment Office (GAO) to nominate APTA Members who are diverse, energetic, enthusiastic, and who can meet the time commitment required. The Maryland Department of Health is requesting that the APTA of Maryland submit a list of nominees by March 1, 2022.

The Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

  • Chair - Karen Gordes, PT, PhD, DScPT
  • Vice Chair - Rebecca Holsinger, PT, DPT, NCS, CVTP
  • Member Samuel Esterson, PT, DPT, , OCS, MBA
  • Member Michelle Finnegan, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, CCTT, CMTPT, FAAOMPT
  • Member Sumesh Thomas, PT, DPT, OCS, CHT, FAAOMPT
  • Member Enjeen L. Woolford, PTA
  • Public Member - James Connors
  • Public Member - Meredith Levert

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