Nebraska

United States Physical Therapy Practice Acts

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Temporary License Requirements/Availability

Temporary licensure is not available in Nebraska.

Requirements for License

To Practice PT in Nebraska a person must obtain a license. The requirements are as follows:
• Graduate from an approved PT education program
• Pass licensure exam and jurisprudence exam with a minimum scaled score of 600 each
• Be of good moral character and be no younger than 19 years old—the age requirement can be avoided if the candidate is married
• Submit a completed application and all of its required documents to the Department of Health and Human Services (See link below for practice act and full details)

Supervision

In Nebraska a PT cannot provide general supervision for more than two PTA's at any time during their work day. All services provided by the PTA are under the general supervision of the PT through either onsite direction or telecommunication. All documentation in the medical record must be made under the name of the care of the directing PT, and if the PT is going to be unavailable, he/she must transfer supervision to another licensed PT who can accept the responsibility. The PT must do all evaluations and must do a re-evaluation at least once every 30 days. The PT must provide the final documentation for discharge, but the PTA may assist in the discharge process by providing subjective and objective reports.

A PT may provide general supervision for a PTA in a satellite clinic. Satellite clinics include:
• 1. Rehabilitation facilities
• 2. Acute care facilities
• 3. Skilled nursing facilities
• 4. Nursing homes
• 5. Schools-based settings
• 6. Outpatient clinic
• 7. Home health
• 8. Client preventative facilities

In a satellite situation, the PT must visit the satellite clinic at least once every 30 days. The PT must also provide final documentation for discharge; the PTA may assist in providing subjective and objective reports. A PT must not establish a satellite clinic knowing it will be operated solely by a PTA.

An unlicensed PT aide, trained by a PT, may provide non-treatment and treatment related services under the supervision of a PT. Non-treatment related tasks including clerical, housekeeping, facility maintenance or patient transportation services related to the practice of physical therapy such as:

• Transporting patients
• Assisting a patient in preparation for treatment
• Removing and applying assistive and supportive devices
• Other non-treatment related tasks
  

An aide may perform treatment related tasks when treatment is initiated by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and only under direct supervision. A physical therapy aide:

• Must not solely provide an intervention
• Must receive training from a physical therapist for all treatment related tasks that the aide will perform
• Must receive supervision, orders, and directions only from a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant
• Must be knowledgeable of the preparation of equipment and accessories and all other operational activities relevant to equipment and accessories necessary for treatment.
  
  

Continued Competence

By November 1 of each odd numbered year, the PT and PTA must complete the required amount of acceptable continuing education (CE) for the preceding 24 month period (Please see link below for full characteristics of "acceptable continuing education").  Each PT must complete 20 hours of CE, and each PTA must complete 10 hours of CE for each 24 month period.  Each PT and PTA must also:

• Complete the Nebraska Law Tutorial with a score of 100%
  
• Submit to the department of health and human services attestation of continuing competency requirements
  
• Maintain documentation of attendance including
  

          (1) A signed certificate;
          (2) The course brochure or course outline; and
          (3) Completed Nebraska Law Tutorial documentation

• Submit a completed application for waiver of the continuing competency requirements pursuant to 172 NAC 137-022.04A if applicable
  
  

References

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Disclaimer:   Informational Content is assimilated from the state practice act is a resource only and should not be considered a  substitute for the content within the state practice act.  All state practice acts can change and it is recommended that you refer to the original resource in the link above.