Section 2636.5.

(a) An applicant may be issued a license without a written examination if he or she meets all of the following:

(1) He or she is at the time of application licensed or registered as a physical therapist in a state, district, or territory of the United States having, in the opinion of the board, requirements for licensing or registration equal to or higher than those in California, and he or she has passed, to the satisfaction of the board, an examination for licensing or registration that is, in the opinion of the board, comparable to the examination used in this state.

(2) He or she is a graduate of a physical therapist education program approved by the board, or has met the requirements of Section 2653.

(3) He or she files an application as provided in Section 2632 and meets the requirements prescribed by Sections 2635 and 2650.

(b) An applicant for licensure under subdivision (a), whose application is based on a certificate issued by a physical therapy licensing authority of another state may be required to pass an oral examination given by the board and file a statement of past work activity.

(c) An applicant who has filed a physical therapy application under this section with the board for the first time may, between the date of receipt of notice that his or her application is on file and the date of receipt of his or her license, perform as a physical therapist under the direct and immediate supervision of a physical therapist licensed in this state.

During this period the applicant shall identify himself or herself only as a "physical therapist license applicant."

If the applicant under this section does not qualify and receive a license as provided in this section and does not qualify under Section 2639 all privileges under this section shall terminate upon notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. An applicant may only qualify once to perform as a physical therapist license applicant.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 830, Sec. 2.5. Effective January 1, 1997.)