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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>63892</law_id><section_number>54.1-3474</section_number><catch_line>Unlawful to practice without license; continuing competency requirements</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="34.1">Physical Therapy</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It shall be unlawful for any person to practice physical therapy or as a <span class="dictionary">physical therapist assistant</span> in the Commonwealth without a valid unrevoked license issued by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-232705" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3474/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall promulgate regulations establishing requirements to ensure continuing competency of <span class="dictionary">physical therapists</span> and <span class="dictionary">physical therapist assistants</span>, which may include continuing education, testing, or such other requirements as the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may determine to be necessary. <a id="paragraph-232706" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3474/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> In promulgating continuing competency requirements, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall consider (i) the need to promote ethical practice, (ii) an appropriate standard of care, (iii) patient safety, (iv) application of new medical technology, (v) appropriate communication with patients, and (vi) knowledge of the changing health care system. <a id="paragraph-232707" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3474/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may approve persons who provide or accredit programs to ensure continuing competency. <a id="paragraph-232708" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3474/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2000, c. 688; 2001, c. 858.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
