Physical therapist assistant; issuance of temporary permit.

(1) The board shall issue a temporary physical therapist assistant permit to an applicant who meets the following requirements:

(a) Completes an application for a temporary permit on a form approved by the department.

(b) Is a graduate of an approved United States physical therapy assistant educational program and meets all the eligibility requirements for licensure under chapter 456, s. 486.102(1)(a), (b), and (c)1., and related rules, except passage of a national examination approved by the board is not required.

(c) Submits an application for licensure under s. 486.103.

(d) Demonstrates proof of possessing malpractice insurance.

(e) Submits documentation, under rules adopted by the board, verifying that the applicant will practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist as provided in subsection (3).

(2) A temporary permit is not renewable and is valid until a license is granted by the board. A temporary permit is void if the permittee does not pass a national examination approved by the board within 6 months after the date of graduation from a physical therapy assistant training program.

(3) An applicant for a temporary permit may not work as a physical therapist assistant until a temporary permit is issued by the board. A physical therapist assistant who is practicing under a temporary permit must do so under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. A supervising physical therapist shall supervise only one permittee at any given time. The supervising physical therapist must be licensed for a minimum of 6 months before the supervision period begins and must cosign all patient records produced by the physical therapist assistant who is practicing under a temporary permit.