Purpose Of The Board

The North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners is an occupational licensing board which was created in 1951 by the North Carolina General Assembly to establish and maintain minimum standards for the practice of physical therapy to protect the safety and welfare of the citizens of North Carolina; to license physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to practice physical therapy in the State; to investigate complaints regarding unauthorized practice of physical therapy in the State and acts of licensees that violate the Practice Act and to issue interpretation of questions arising from the Physical Therapy Practice Act.

The General Assembly has created the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners to administer and enforce the Physical Therapy Practice Act. The Board insures the minimum level of competence by establishing entry requirements for applicants for licensure, and by exercising its disciplinary authority over licensees when their competence has been demonstrated to have fallen below the minimum level necessary to protect the public. The Board is composed of eight members, appointed by the Governor for a three year term. There are four physical therapists, two physical therapist assistants, one medical doctor, and one public member.

The Board can initiate disciplinary proceedings that would affect the privilege of the licensee to practice physical therapy. The Board's investigations are controlled by its own rules and the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act.

If a violation of the Practice Act occurs, a written complaint should be made to the Board's Executive Director. The complainant should furnish as much information as possible, including specific dates and names, addresses, and telephone numbers for interested parties or witnesses. In this manner, the best interests of both the profession and the public can be served.