ORS 688.160 Oregon Board of Physical Therapy; qualifications; terms; vacancies; duties; rules; fees; meetings; executive director

The Oregon Board of Physical Therapy operates as a semi-independent state agency subject to ORS 182.456 to 182.472, for purposes of carrying out the provisions of ORS 688.010 to 688.201 and 688.990. The board consists of eight members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner provided in ORS 171.562 and 171.565. All members of the board must be residents of this state. Of the members of the board:

Five must be physical therapists who are Oregon residents, possess unrestricted licenses to practice physical therapy in this state, have been practicing in this state for

at least two years immediately preceding their appointments and have been practicing in the field of physical therapy for at least five years.

One must be a licensed physical therapist assistant.

Two must be public members who have an interest in consumer rights and who are not:

Otherwise eligible for appointment to the board; or

The spouse, domestic partner, child, parent or sibling of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

Board members required to be physical therapists or physical therapist assistants may be selected by the Governor from a list of three to five nominees for each vacancy, submitted by the Oregon Physical Therapy Association.

In selecting the members of the board, the Governor shall strive to balance the representation on the board according to:

Geographic areas of this state; and

Ethnic group.

The term of office of each member is four years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The terms must be staggered so that no more than three terms end each year. A member is eligible for reappointment.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of a member of the board other than by reason of the expiration of a term, the Governor, not later than 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy, shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.

A board member shall be removed immediately from the board if, during the member’s term, the member:

Is not a resident of this state;

Has been absent from three consecutive board meetings, unless at least one absence is excused;

Is not a licensed physical therapist or a retired physical therapist who was a licensed physical therapist in good standing at the time of retirement, if the board member was appointed to serve on the board as a physical therapist; or

Is not a licensed physical therapist assistant or a retired physical therapist assistant who was a licensed physical therapist assistant in good standing at the time of retirement, if the board member was appointed to serve on the board as a retired physical therapist assistant.

Each member of the board is entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495. The board may provide by rule for compensation to board members for the performance of official duties at a rate that is greater than the rate provided in ORS 292.495.

A board member who acts within the scope of board duties, without malice and in reasonable belief that the member’s action is warranted by law, is immune from civil liability.

The board shall have power to:

Establish matters of policy affecting administration of ORS 688.010 to 688.201;

Provide for examinations for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants and adopt passing scores for the examinations;

Adopt rules necessary to carry out and enforce the provisions of ORS 688.010 to 688.201;

Establish standards and tests to determine the qualifications of applicants for licenses to practice physical therapy in this state;

Issue licenses to persons who meet the requirements of ORS 688.010 to 688.201;

Adopt rules relating to the supervision and the duties of physical therapist aides who assist in performing routine work under supervision;

Adopt rules establishing minimum continuing competency requirements for all licensees;

Exercise general supervision over the practice of physical therapy within this state;

Establish and collect fees for the application or examination for, or the renewal, reinstatement or duplication of, a license under ORS 688.040, 688.080 or 688.100 or for the issuance of a temporary permit under ORS 688.110; and

Establish and collect fees to carry out and enforce the provisions of ORS 688.010 to 688.201.

The board shall meet as determined by the board and at any other time at the call of the board chairperson, who shall be elected by the members of the board. All members have equal voting privileges.

The board may appoint and fix the compensation of staff as necessary to carry out the operations of the board.

The board shall:

Maintain a current list of all persons regulated under ORS 688.010 to 688.201, including the persons’ names, current business and residential addresses, telephone numbers,

electronic mail addresses and license numbers.

Provide information to the public regarding the procedure for filing a complaint against a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

Publish at least annually, and in a format or place determined by the board, final disciplinary actions taken against physical therapists and physical therapist assistants and other information, including rules, in order to guide physical therapists and physical therapist assistants regulated pursuant to ORS 688.010 to 688.201.