A licensed physical therapist is a healthcare professional who evaluates and treats individuals of all ages with medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives 1. The practice involves interventions to restore, maintain, and promote optimal physical function, wellness, and quality of life as it relates to movement and health 2. In Arkansas, as elsewhere, physical therapists apply clinical reasoning during a process of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention for conditions affecting the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary systems. The curriculum for physical therapist education includes content from the biological and physical sciences, which encompasses anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, motor control, pathology, and pharmacology. 3. By using therapeutic exercise, advanced manual therapy techniques such as those in the Mulligan Concept 4, and patient education, they work to prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, or injuries.
In the state of Arkansas, the practice of physical therapy is a regulated profession governed by specific state laws designed to protect the public. The legal authority for this regulation is the Arkansas Code Annotated, Title 17, Chapter 93, known as the "Physical Therapy Act," which establishes the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy and grants it the power to oversee the profession 5. State licensure is the primary mechanism for ensuring that only individuals who have demonstrated a minimum level of competence through education, examination, and ethical conduct are permitted to hold the title of "Physical Therapist" and engage in practice. This regulatory framework serves to safeguard consumers from unqualified or unprofessional practitioners. The Board's authority includes the power to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for specific reasons. For example, the conviction of a felony is listed under the practice act as grounds for disciplinary action and may serve as a basis for the denial of a license application 6. Therefore, obtaining and maintaining a license is not merely a procedural step but a legal prerequisite for professional practice in the state.
This article outlines the complete pathway to obtaining a physical therapist license in Arkansas. The process begins with the foundational educational requirement: graduation from a professional physical therapy education program accredited by a national agency approved by the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy 7. Following the completion of educational prerequisites, candidates must apply for and successfully pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administers this examination and requires a criterion-referenced scaled score of 600 to pass 8. The FSBPT manages registration for the test and reports scores directly to the Arkansas board after an applicant has been made eligible to sit for the exam 9. The article also details the state-specific components of the application, including the Arkansas jurisprudence examination and the mandatory criminal background check. It explains the formal application procedure with the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy. Notably, Arkansas law does not contain a provision for a temporary permit for new graduates while they await their NPTE results, meaning a full license must be secured prior to commencing any form of practice 10, although the Board reserves the right to grant a temporary permit under special circumstances as it determines 11. Finally, the article addresses the process of licensure by endorsement for therapists licensed in other jurisdictions, which involves procedures like the FSBPT Score Transfer Service 12, and the ongoing requirements for license renewal.
Governing bodies and legal framework for physical therapy in Arkansas
The practice of physical therapy in Arkansas is regulated by a structured legal and administrative framework designed to protect public health and ensure professional standards. The primary governing authority at the state level is the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy. This entity derives its existence and all of its regulatory powers directly from state law, specifically Title 17, Chapter 93 of the Arkansas Code Annotated, which is formally known as the "Physical Therapy Act" 5. This foundational statute empowers the Board to establish rules, issue licenses to qualified physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, and enforce the provisions of the Act. The Board's authority is comprehensive, extending to all aspects of licensure and professional conduct within the state's borders. For instance, the Board's rules and regulations stipulate that an applicant's professional education must be from a program accredited by a national accreditation agency that the Board has approved 7. This ensures a baseline educational competency for all practitioners entering the field in Arkansas.
While the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy holds the ultimate authority for licensure, it operates in close partnership with a national organization, the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). The FSBPT is a not-for-profit federation whose members are the 53 physical therapy licensing boards in the United States, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The relationship between the Arkansas Board and the FSBPT is most evident in the administration of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), the standardized test required for licensure. The FSBPT is responsible for managing the entire NPTE process, from developing the examination to handling candidate registration and reporting scores 9.
The procedure for an aspiring therapist involves a direct interaction between these two bodies. A candidate first applies for licensure with the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy. Once the Board determines the applicant has met all preliminary requirements, such as educational qualifications, it makes the applicant eligible to sit for the NPTE. The candidate then registers for the exam directly with the FSBPT 9. After the examination is complete, the FSBPT reports the candidate's score directly to the Arkansas Board 9. The passing standard for the NPTE is a criterion-referenced scaled score of 600 8, a uniform benchmark used across all jurisdictions. The use of a standardized national examination is a cornerstone of modern professional regulation in health care, providing an objective measure of the knowledge required for safe and effective practice, a concept detailed in texts such as Fundamentals of the Physical Therapy Examination by Stacie J. Fruth 2. The legal framework also gives the Board significant disciplinary power, as outlined in the Physical Therapy Act. Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-93-308 provides an explicit list of grounds for disciplinary action, which can include refusing to issue or renew a license. Reasons for such action can include the conviction of a felony, which may serve as a basis for denying an initial application for licensure 6.
The foundational educational requirement: A CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy degree
The primary and non-negotiable prerequisite for an individual seeking to practice physical therapy in Arkansas is the successful completion of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy, which derives its authority from the state's Physical Therapy Act 5, stipulates in its official rules that an applicant's professional education must originate from a program accredited by a national agency the board approves 7. For physical therapy education in the United States, this sole accrediting body is the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE accreditation ensures that DPT programs adhere to rigorous standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes, providing a consistent educational foundation for entry-level practitioners across the country.
A CAPTE-accredited DPT curriculum is a comprehensive, graduate-level course of study that typically spans three years following the completion of a bachelor's degree with specific prerequisite coursework. The program integrates deep didactic instruction with extensive clinical training. The academic portion covers foundational sciences such as gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics, alongside complex medical sciences like pathophysiology and pharmacology. The physiological underpinnings of human movement and healing are a significant component, requiring a mastery of concepts detailed in standard medical texts such as the Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology 3. Students also receive specialized instruction in the evaluation and management of disorders across the human lifespan, encompassing musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems. This includes the study of conditions outlined in works like the Textbook of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system and learning specific intervention techniques, from therapeutic exercise to advanced manual therapies such as those described in the Mulligan Concept of Manual Therapy 4.
A hallmark of the DPT education is its substantial clinical education component. Students typically complete approximately 30 weeks of full-time clinical internships. These placements occur in diverse practice settings, such as acute care hospitals, outpatient orthopedic clinics, and neurological rehabilitation centers, under the direct supervision of licensed physical therapists. This immersive, hands-on experience is where students apply the principles of patient management, including examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention, as described in texts on physical rehabilitation 1. Within Arkansas, several institutions offer CAPTE-accredited DPT programs, including the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, and Harding University in Searcy. Graduation from one of these, or any other CAPTE-accredited program nationwide, fulfills the educational requirement and is the first major step toward licensure eligibility in Arkansas.
Assessing national competency: The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
Following graduation from an accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program, candidates for licensure in Arkansas must demonstrate entry-level competence by passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). This standardized, computer-administered examination serves as a critical public protection measure, ensuring that all new licensees possess the minimum knowledge required for safe and effective practice. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), a national organization, develops, maintains, and administers the NPTE on behalf of its member jurisdictions, including the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy 9. The exam's purpose is not to rank candidates but to determine whether each individual meets a predetermined standard of competence necessary to practice independently.
The content of the NPTE is based on a nationwide practice analysis that identifies the essential knowledge and skills required of a new physical therapist. The examination is structured around major domains of physical therapy practice: Examination; Evaluation, Differential Diagnosis, and Prognosis; and Intervention. These sections assess a candidate's proficiency across various body systems, including the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems, as well as their understanding of non-system areas like professional responsibility and evidence-based practice. The questions are designed to test clinical reasoning and the application of foundational principles, such as those detailed in texts like Fundamentals of the Physical Therapy Examination by Stacie J. Fruth 2. The Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy, operating under the authority of the state's "Physical Therapy Act" 5, relies on the NPTE to validate that an applicant's education has translated into the functional knowledge necessary for patient care.
To sit for the examination, a candidate must first be approved by the Arkansas board. Once the board declares a candidate eligible, the individual can register for a specific test date with the FSBPT 9. After the examination is completed, the FSBPT reports the score directly to the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy 9. The passing standard for the NPTE is a criterion-referenced scaled score of 600 out of a possible 800 8. This criterion-referenced model means that the passing score is an absolute standard established through expert judgment and statistical analysis; it does not change based on the performance of other examinees in a given test administration. A scaled score of 600 represents the minimum level of competence deemed necessary to practice. Because Arkansas law does not provide for a temporary license for new graduates awaiting their examination results, passing the NPTE is a mandatory and non-negotiable step that must be completed before a license can be issued and a therapist can legally begin to practice in the state 10.
State-specific hurdles: The Arkansas jurisprudence examination and criminal background check
In addition to fulfilling educational and national examination requirements, candidates seeking licensure in Arkansas must successfully navigate two distinct, state-mandated processes: the Arkansas Jurisprudence Examination and a comprehensive criminal background check. These components are administered by the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy, the entity established and granted authority under the state's "Physical Therapy Act" 5, to ensure that all licensees are knowledgeable about local regulations and meet the state's character and fitness standards. These steps are essential for public protection and are separate from the clinical competency assessed by the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
The Arkansas Jurisprudence Examination is an open-book test that assesses an applicant's comprehension of the specific legal framework governing the profession within the state. The content of the examination is drawn directly from the foundational state law, codified in Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-93 5, and the official Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy Rules and Regulations 7. By testing on topics such as the legal scope of practice for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, guidelines for supervision, continuing education requirements, and the specific actions that constitute grounds for professional discipline, the board verifies that practitioners understand their legal and ethical boundaries before engaging with patients. Successful completion demonstrates that an applicant is prepared to practice not only with clinical proficiency but also in full compliance with Arkansas law.
A mandatory criminal background check serves as a parallel screening mechanism designed to ensure public safety. This requirement is rooted in the board's legal authority to deny licensure based on an individual's criminal history. Under Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-93-308, the board is empowered to refuse a license to an applicant convicted of a felony or other crime that, in the board's judgment, relates to the ability to practice physical therapy competently and safely 6. The process requires applicants to consent to and pay for fingerprint-based background checks conducted by both the Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The results are transmitted directly to the board for confidential evaluation. While a past conviction does not result in an automatic denial, the board is obligated by statute to consider the nature and seriousness of the offense, its relevance to the practice of physical therapy, the time elapsed since the conviction, and any evidence of the applicant's rehabilitation. The authority to deny licensure based on a felony conviction is an explicit power granted to the board to protect the public from practitioners who may pose a risk 6. Together, these vetting procedures are an extension of the principles of professional responsibility and ethical practice that are fundamental to modern physical therapy examination and patient management 2.
The application pathway: A step-by-step guide to initial licensure by examination
The process for securing an initial physical therapist license by examination in Arkansas is a sequential, multi-agency procedure administered by the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy, which operates under the authority of the state's Physical Therapy Act 5. The first step for a candidate is to complete and submit the official application for licensure by examination to the Arkansas board, accompanied by the required fees. A core component of this initial submission is the verification of education. The applicant's professional physical therapy education program must be accredited by an agency that the board has approved, a standard codified in the board's rules and regulations 7. This requirement ensures that all applicants possess a foundational education that aligns with contemporary standards of physical rehabilitation and patient care 1.
Upon receipt of a complete application, the board staff conducts a thorough review. If the applicant meets all preliminary requirements, including the educational accreditation and successful completion of the background check, the Arkansas board officially approves the candidate's eligibility to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The board then communicates this eligibility status directly to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), the organization that develops and administers the NPTE 9. This notification from the state board is a mandatory prerequisite; an individual cannot register for the NPTE for Arkansas licensure without it. The examination itself is designed to assess a candidate's knowledge in domains essential for safe and effective practice, covering topics from medical physiology to the application of specific therapeutic concepts 34.
Once the FSBPT receives the eligibility notification from the Arkansas board, the applicant can proceed with registering for a specific NPTE test date and location through the FSBPT's online portal 9. The FSBPT is responsible for the entire examination administration, from registration and scheduling to the delivery of the test at secure proctoring centers. After the candidate takes the examination, the FSBPT scores the test and reports the results. The passing standard for the NPTE is a criterion-referenced scaled score of 600 8. The FSBPT transmits this score directly and electronically to the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy for review 9. For candidates who may have previously taken and passed the NPTE for another jurisdiction, they must arrange for an official score report to be sent to Arkansas using the FSBPT Score Transfer Service, which incurs a separate fee 12.
The final stage of the licensure process commences when the Arkansas board receives an official report of a passing NPTE score from the FSBPT. After verifying that all other application components are in order, the board issues the full, unrestricted license to practice physical therapy. It is a significant point of law in Arkansas that a license must be secured prior to practicing; the state's practice act does not contain a provision for a temporary permit or license for new graduates awaiting their NPTE results 10. While the board does have the authority to grant temporary permits, this is reserved for special circumstances determined by the board and is not a standard pathway for recent graduates 11. Therefore, employment in a physical therapist capacity cannot begin until the official license number has been issued by the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy.
Licensure for established professionals: Endorsement and score transfer pathways
For physical therapists who are already licensed and actively practicing in another United States jurisdiction, the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy provides a pathway to licensure by endorsement. This process is designed for established professionals and serves as an alternative to the initial licensure by examination route typically followed by new graduates. The core principle of endorsement is the recognition of a valid, existing license from a state, territory, or the District of Columbia, provided the qualifications at the time of original licensure were substantially equivalent to those required in Arkansas.
An applicant seeking licensure by endorsement must hold a current, active, and unencumbered license in good standing. A critical component of the application is a thorough criminal background check; the state's Physical Therapy Act, specifically Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-93-308, grants the board authority to deny a license based on specific grounds, including the conviction of a felony 6. The board also verifies that the applicant’s professional education was completed at a program accredited by a national agency approved by the board, a foundational requirement for all Arkansas licensees 7. Applicants must submit a completed application form, pay the requisite fees, and arrange for official verification of licensure to be sent directly to the Arkansas board from every jurisdiction in which they have ever held a license to practice.
A central element of the endorsement application is the official verification of a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The administrative procedure for this verification is managed exclusively by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) 9. Applicants must utilize the FSBPT Score Transfer Service to have their NPTE score report sent directly to the Arkansas board 12. This service, which requires payment of a fee to the FSBPT, ensures the authenticity of the score report and confirms that the applicant achieved the criterion-referenced passing standard, which is set at a scaled score of 600 8. The direct reporting from the FSBPT to the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy, the entity established by the Physical Therapy Act 5, is a mandatory step in the process. The importance of a standardized national examination in ensuring competency is a cornerstone of the profession, as explored in texts such as Stacie J. Fruth's Fundamentals of the Physical Therapy Examination 2.
Upon receipt of the complete application, licensure verifications, background check results, and the official NPTE score report from the FSBPT 12, the board conducts a final review. Endorsement candidates are also required to demonstrate knowledge of state-specific laws and rules by passing a jurisprudence examination. If the board determines that all statutory and regulatory requirements have been satisfied and no grounds for denial exist 6, it issues a full, unrestricted license to practice physical therapy in Arkansas. This system of licensure mobility allows qualified practitioners to relocate and serve populations across state lines, reflecting a significant evolution in the profession's structure and reach since its earlier days, as chronicled in works like Bernice Krumhansl's Opportunities in physical therapy careers 13.
Distinctive Arkansas policies: Temporary permits and comparison with national standards
While Arkansas aligns with national benchmarks for physical therapy licensure in many respects, its policies regarding temporary practice authorization for new graduates present a significant departure from norms seen in other states. The state's licensing framework, established by the Arkansas Code as the "Physical Therapy Act" 5, requires applicants to meet standard educational and examination criteria. This includes graduation from a program accredited by a board-approved national agency 7 and achieving a criterion-referenced scaled score of 600 on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) 8. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administers this examination and reports the scores directly to the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy 9.
The most notable distinction in Arkansas's approach is its highly restrictive stance on temporary permits for recent graduates. The Arkansas Physical Therapy Practice Act, specifically under § 17-93-301, does not contain a provision for a temporary license or permit that would allow a graduate to practice under supervision while awaiting the results of their NPTE 10. This legal framework mandates that an individual must secure a full, unrestricted license before engaging in any form of physical therapy practice within the state 10. This policy contrasts sharply with the procedures in many U.S. jurisdictions, where new graduates are often granted temporary, supervised permits. Such permits facilitate a smoother school-to-work transition and help meet immediate healthcare workforce needs by allowing new professionals to begin their careers during the administrative window between examination and official licensure.
While the state's primary statute prohibits this practice, the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy's own regulations introduce a narrow, discretionary exception. Section III(B) of the board's rules specifies that a temporary permit may be granted to a candidate for licensure by examination, but only under "special circumstances" as evaluated and determined by the Board on a case-by-case basis 11. The rules do not define these circumstances, leaving the issuance of such a permit entirely to the board's discretion rather than making it a standard part of the licensure pathway. This creates a highly restrictive environment where a temporary permit is an extraordinary measure, not a routine option for the average graduate.
This policy choice reflects a prioritization of ensuring all practitioners have met the full licensure standard before any patient contact, a conservative approach compared to the national trend of phased entry into the profession. The NPTE serves as the definitive gateway to practice, a high-stakes assessment whose preparation and content are detailed in texts such as Fundamentals of the Physical Therapy Examination by Stacie J. Fruth 2. Arkansas's policy effectively extends the non-practicing period for graduates until after this critical examination hurdle is cleared and scores are officially reported by the FSBPT 9. For graduates intending to build a career in Arkansas, as outlined in works like Opportunities in physical therapy careers 13, this means a mandatory period of unemployment post-graduation that may not exist for their peers in other states.
Maintaining an active license: Renewal requirements and continuing education
Obtaining a physical therapy license in Arkansas marks the beginning, not the conclusion, of a practitioner's professional obligations. Maintaining this license in active, good standing requires adherence to a structured process of biennial renewal and continuous professional development, all overseen by the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy. The Board's authority to establish and enforce these ongoing requirements is derived directly from the Arkansas Code, which codifies the "Physical Therapy Act" 5. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to disciplinary action, including the suspension or revocation of the hard-won privilege to practice.
The license renewal cycle in Arkansas is biennial, with all physical therapist licenses expiring on March 1 of every odd-numbered year. To successfully renew, a licensee must submit a completed renewal application, pay the requisite fee, and attest to the completion of all mandatory continuing education. This process is governed by the specific rules and regulations set forth by the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy 7. It is the sole responsibility of the individual therapist to ensure their renewal is completed on time; practicing with an expired license is a violation of the Physical Therapy Act and can result in significant penalties.
A central component of the renewal process is the continuing education (CE) requirement. The Board mandates that physical therapists complete a minimum of 20 contact hours of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period 7. These hours are intended to ensure that practitioners remain current with the evolving standards of care, evidence-based practices, and therapeutic techniques that define modern physical rehabilitation 1. The Board approves a wide range of activities to meet this requirement, including attendance at professional workshops, completion of academic coursework, and participation in certified online learning modules. For example, a specialized course on a manual therapy approach, such as that detailed in Mulligan Concept of Manual Therapy 4, would typically qualify if offered by an approved provider. The Board’s rules specify that a portion of these hours must be dedicated to ethics and jurisprudence to ensure practitioners remain knowledgeable about their legal and professional responsibilities 7. Therapists are required to maintain personal records and documentation of their completed CE for a period of at least four years, as the Board may conduct random audits to verify compliance.
Beyond the administrative tasks of renewal and CE, maintaining an active license involves upholding the professional and ethical standards of the profession. Therapists have an affirmative duty to notify the Board of any changes to their name or address of record. More seriously, a license is subject to disciplinary action for a range of offenses outlined in state law. The Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-93-308 explicitly lists grounds for such action, which include gross negligence, incompetence, and the conviction of a felony 6. The Board is empowered to investigate any complaints or evidence of misconduct and to impose sanctions, ensuring that licensed physical therapists in Arkansas continue to provide safe and effective care to the public.
Sources
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Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) - https://guide.apta.org/
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Fundamentals of the Physical Therapy Examination by Stacie J. Fruth (2013) - https://openlibrary.org/works/OL21137885W
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Mulligan Concept of Manual Therapy by Wayne Hing, Toby Hall, Darren A. Rivett (2014) - https://openlibrary.org/works/OL21085412W
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Manual therapy: "NAGS", "SNAGS", "MWMS" etc., 1995 - https://openlibrary.org/works/OL890334W/Manual_therapy_NAGS_SNAGS_MWMS_etc
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Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-93 - https://www.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/arptb/PT_Practice_Act_2023.pdf
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Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-93-308 - https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2022/title-17/subtitle-3/chapter-93/subchapter-3/section-17-93-308/
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Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy Rules and Regulations - https://www.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/arptb/Regs_-_Final_9.28.26.pdf
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NPTE Standards, Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy - https://www.fsbpt.org/secondary-pages/exam-candidates/national-exam-npte/npte-standards
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Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy, APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION - https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/PT/Exam_Application.pdf
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Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-93-301 - https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2022/title-17/subtitle-3/chapter-93/subchapter-3/section-17-93-301/
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Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy Rules, Section III(B) - https://www.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/arptb/Rules_and_Regs_2023.pdf
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Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) - https://www.fsbpt.org/Secondary-Pages/Licensees/Score-Transfer-Service
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Opportunities in physical therapy careers by Bernice Krumhansl (1987) - https://openlibrary.org/works/OL4309081W