Pursuant to Section 2639 of the code, a physical therapist license applicant whose application for licensure has been filed and reviewed by the board may perform as a physical therapist if he or she is under the direct and immediate supervision of a physical therapist licensed by the board. “Direct and immediate supervision” means a supervisor shall at all times be responsible for and provide adequate supervision of the work performed by the physical therapist license applicant and shall be in close proximity to the location where the physical therapist license applicant is rendering physical therapy treatment. The physical therapist license applicant shall document each treatment in the patient record, along with his or her signature. A supervising physical therapist shall countersign with his or her first initial and last name in the patient's record on the same day as patient related tasks were provided by the physical therapist license applicant.

A supervising physical therapist shall document receipt of the letter authorizing physical therapist license applicant status and record the expiration date of such status in the employee record. A supervising physical therapist shall require the applicant to provide documentation of the license issued at the conclusion of the physical therapist license applicant status. If the applicant fails to pass the licensing examination all privileges to work as a physical therapist license applicant shall terminate.

Authorizing the physical therapist license applicant to work after the conclusion of physical therapist applicant status constitutes unprofessional conduct.