Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates

Useful up to date COVID-19 Vaccine information

COVID-19 Vaccine information for health professionals

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has information on the Coronavirus Disease for both healthcare professionals and the general public which is updated regularly, as new information becomes available. Read more here.

Have you downloaded COVIDWISE, Virginia's COVID-19 exposure notification app? Add your phone to the fight here.

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COVID-19 VACCINATION INFORMATION

To find out more information related to the COVID-19 vaccinations, and when the vaccination will be available to you, please see the Virginia Department of Health information at the following link https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/ or the following link "Find out Which Phase You are Eligible For."

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Due to delays through the United States Postal Service, please allow additional time to receive your printed license following the 2020 renewal.

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Dry Needling Regulations – Effective October 29, 2020

On October 29, 2020, final regulations for the practice of dry needling will become effective for the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy. The new regulations will be found at 18VAC112-20-121 of the Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy (accessible here on the Board’s website).

Prior to October 29, 2020, the text of the final regulations can be accessed at this link on the Virginia Townhall website.

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Scam Alert

The Department of Health Professions (DHP) has been made aware that some licensees have received fraudulent communications from individuals claiming to be from one of our licensing boards, such as the Board of Pharmacy, or another agency, such as the DEA. The communications, often by phone, may threaten arrest or license suspension, demand personal information, or require the payment of fines. Read More.

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Notice of Proposed Rules Amendment-Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

The following notice has been issued by the Physical Therapy Compact Commission regarding the public comment period for proposed amendments to the Rules of the Commission:

Physical Therapy Compact Commission Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The public comment period will begin September 23, 2020, and end on October 23, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. For more information about the Physical Therapy Compact Commission, please visit www.ptcompact.org.

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Continuing Education and Upcoming Renewals

As licensees prepare for the renewal process, there are a number of important changes for the 2020 renewal cycle. Read more about Continuing Education requirements, Last Paper License and renewal notices.

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Telehealth Resources

Notification Regarding Remote Communications and HIPAA During Public Health Emergency (March 18, 2020)

The Office for Civil Rights (OVR) at the Department of Health and Human Services has relaxed its rules involving HIPAA for the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 National Emergency.

Please read the notice at this link.

Please note, because this is a federal announcement, the Board of Physical Therapy is not in a position to answer questions or offer clarification on this issue.

Board Guidance Document Available

The Board offers the following guidance on telehealth through established Guidance Document 112-21, Guidance on Telehealth, effective January 21, 2021

Governor’s Executive Order 57 (Updated June 10, 2020)

The Governor’s Amended Executive Order 57 contains additional provisions related to telehealth and healthcare providers. To view the Executive Order, click here.

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NPTE Examination Updates

To access the most recent exam announcements from the FSBPT regarding the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTs and PTA’s, please click here.

Note: PT and PTA students who were previously approved to sit for the NPTE exam in April and whose exams were cancelled as a result of the pandemic, will not be required to have their school programs submit new Education Authorization Forms for registration for the testing window in May. This temporary change in policy regarding Education Authorization Forms applies only to exam administrations in May, even where the students’ school graduation dates potentially may change to date(s) beyond the 60-day exam/graduation window.

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Out-of-State Licensee Reporting

Updated June 11, 2020

In response to Governor Northam's Amended Executive Orders 57, 51, and Executive Order 42, hospitals, licensed nursing facilities, and dialysis facilities in Virginia must submit to the Department of Health Professions each out-of-state health care practitioner's name, license type, state of license, and license identification number within a reasonable time of such healthcare practitioner providing services at the applicable health care facility in the Commonwealth.

Facilities must complete and submit the out-of-state licensed provider form and supply the following information on each provider:

• Name of the licensed provider
• State of licensure
• License type
• License number

Please access the Out-of-State Licensee Reporting Form here.