Tracking of Continuing Education In the past, Georgia physical therapists were required to track all continuing competence activities and licensure information in the online tool aPTitude, which was maintained through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). However, this service was discontinued effective July 1, 2020. According to the reference document Important Instructions for Submitting CEUs , the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy will transition to a new online recording and reporting system, CE Broker (Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy, 2020). This transition has not been completed at the time of this writing. The document mentioned above states the following instructions: 1) Current licensees are not required to submit proof of CE until you apply to renew your license renewal 2021 unless otherwise requested by the Board. a. During the next renewal period, reporting will be within the new online recording and reporting system that will be announced prior to the opening of license renewal 2021. b. In the meantime, licensees shall maintain copies of all continuing education documents for a minimum of 3 years from the date the course was taken as is indicated in Board Rule 490-4-.02 (10)(a) Continuing Competence Requirements. 2) It is the intent of the Board to transfer all of the documentation that has been recorded within aPTitude to the new online recording and reporting system. As a result, you will not be required to re-enter any of the previous continuing education documentation into the new system. If you are selected for post renewal audit after you no longer have access to aPTitude, you will be required to submit copies of your CE documentation to the Board in the manner in which it is requested (in a PDF format as an attachment via email or by fax or mail). Thus, it is imperative that each licensee maintain their own paper and/or electronic copies of all CE documentation in accordance with Board Rule 490-4-.02 (10)(a) Continuing Competence Requirements. To retain public safety and the public’s trust, therapists must be held accountable for their actions. When a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant uses all of the theoretical, factual, and clinical tools available, they will be better able to perform safe treatment. When confronted with an ethical dilemma, the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant should reflect upon their natural integrity and ponder whether they would feel proud when telling someone else about the chosen course of action. The physical therapist or physical therapist assistant should consider if the action is in the patient’s best interest, is consistent with ethical principles, and will uphold the standards of APTA and fall within the rules and regulations of the State of Georgia. The patient trusts the therapist to make sound decisions on their behalf, and this is easier when the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant remembers and respects the patient’s rights, autonomy, and values. Strong, responsible, and ethical therapists are those who are unafraid to stand up for themselves and their patients, and who are willing to actively uphold the high moral standards set by their profession.
● Other Information: Professional Associations, Cease and Desist Orders, Complaint Procedure. On the home page are additional buttons to apply for licensure online, download forms, check the status of an application, file a complaint, and check licensure. There is also a button for FAQs, where the answers to the following questions can be found (https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/39/faq): ● How can I obtain a PT or PTA license by exam? ● Exam and Re-examination Registration Process. ● I hold a current license in another state. Am I eligible for licensure in Georgia? ● How can I transfer my license to Georgia? ● Requirements for foreign educated applicants. ● Reinstatement Application Requirements. ● Application Expiration Dates. ● When will I receive my license? ● Does Georgia issue provisional or temporary licenses? ● How can I change my address? ● How can I change my name? ● Am I required to participate in Continuing Competence? ● Does my license expire? ● What is covered in a Board-approved Ethics and Jurisprudence course or the Georgia Law Exam? ● What should I do if I fail the exam? ● Can I practice as a resident/fellow in Georgia? ● What is the scope of practice for a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant in Georgia? ● How do I obtain a letter of good standing or license verification from the Board? ● If I feel a board rule should not apply to my situation, how do I ask the Board to vary or waive the rule or a portion of the rule? ● How do I record CE to satisfy the terms of a board order or a previous cycle with the Board? Conclusion: All physical therapists and physical therapist assistants have a responsibility to act with a high moral standard both personally and professionally. Although the vast majority of therapists are compassionate, responsible, and sensible, ethical decision- making can be difficult when belief systems collide. Knowledge of ethical theories and understanding the application of ethics to clinical practice is helpful in developing the critical thinking necessary for appropriate decision- making. Familiarity with the APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist, Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant, Guide for Professional Conduct , and Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant improves therapist awareness of the seriousness of the issues at stake and offers guidance through available contact with APTA. Georgia physical therapists and physical therapist assistants have an obligation to be intimately familiar with their state’s practice act and physical therapy rules, as these documents clearly outline legal considerations for safe practice. Ethical concerns and questions may be discussed with the ethics committee of their state chapter of APTA or with the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee. Resources ● American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) 1111 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
APTA Ethics and Professionalism Documents ● Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist
1-800-999-APTA 1-800-999-2782 http://www.apta.org
https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/leadership-and- governance/policies/code-of-ethics-for- the-physical- therapist ● Core Values for the PT and PTA https://www.apta.org/apta-and-you/leadership-and- governance/policies/core-values-for-the- physical-therapist- and-physical-therapist-assistant
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