FISCAL NOTE

Senate Bill 82 as introduced would allow the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact to provide uniformity in certain licensing requirements and practices among compact states.

Joining the compact would allow physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in Alabama to also obtain certification to practice physical therapy in compact states. The compact also authorizes the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy to legally recognize physical therapists and physical therapy assistants similarly licensed in other compact states.

Participation in the Compact would increase the administrative and financial obligations of the Board by an undetermined amount to: 1) investigate complaints and take action against compact physical therapists, 2) submit an FBI background check of all Alabama applicants; 3) submit uniform data sets to a coordinated database and reporting system on all licensees, and 4) impose administrative penalties for designated violations. Additionally, the Board’s obligations could be increased if the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact collects an annual assessment to cover the costs of its operation, activities, staff and annual budget as authorized in the compact. The Board's increased obligations could be offset, wholly or partly, by an undetermined amount, from the Board's ability to assess administrative penalties and impose compact privilege licensing fees upon licensees from other compact sites.