License or Certificate?
As I was perusing the various state board websites, I noticed several states offered licenses to PTs but required the PTA to have a certificate to practice and provide therapy care. I've been awarded certificates in achievement, performance and even have one as a geriatric wellness specialist. My children come home from school with certificates in the spelling bee, math, science etc. But state boards that give a certificate to the PTA and a license to the PT need to do some research about licensing and certification of professionals. Even a certified nursing assistant needs a license to provide care and these state boards seem to be saying that because I'm a PTA, I'm not worthy of becoming licensed in their state. Instead, I get a certificate or credential (of achievement or something like that) so I can provide care to patients.
This is part of the inconsistency when it comes to licensing the profession of therapy. Do the state licensing boards talk to one another and ask what each one is doing? Apparently not. I can access each state's rules and regulations via the Internet and point out their flaws and sometimes outdated regulations. Maybe I should be the U.S. therapy licensing czar and set these people straight on keeping things consistent with regard to the profession. Even the reassessments by the PT change depending on which state you live in. Some states require a PT to see the patient once a week, some every 10th visit and others every 5th visit. As a consumer of healthcare, this can be confusing.
If every PT and PTA in the country called their state board and governor to ask why there are inconsistencies in each state regarding licensing, visit requirements and professional regulations, maybe there would be some changes. Especially for PTs and PTAs who are licensed in multiple states, wouldn't it be nice to not worry about whether a patient was seen four times versus nine before a reassessment is required?