Mandatory continuing education or periodic reexamination?

Area of Science:

• Physical Therapy
• Professional Licensure
• Continuing Education

Background:

• Mandatory continuing education and reexamination are debated for professional license renewal.
• Physical therapists' opinions on these renewal methods are crucial for policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To ascertain the opinions of physical therapists regarding mandatory continuing education versus reexamination for license renewal.
• To identify preferences for specific components of each renewal system.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study surveyed 1,187 physical therapists, primarily in the southeastern United States.
• Data collection focused on preferences for continuing education or reexamination requirements.

Main Results:

• A majority of respondents favored continuing education over reexamination.
• Preferred continuing education: ≥10 hours/year, 3-year cycle, shared costs (therapist/employer), national association courses, district/state approval, credit for improved performance.
• Preferred reexamination: 5-year cycle, self-assessment, shared costs (therapist/government), national association-composed oral exam administered by academic institutions.

Conclusions:

• Physical therapists show a clear preference for continuing education models for license renewal.
• Findings offer insights for implementing effective license renewal systems in the physical therapy profession.