1. The content is relevant to physical therapy practice (clinical practice, clinical education, clinical research, clinical management, clinical science, professional ethics, Tennessee laws relating to the practice of physical therapy).
(a) Must have significant content to improve professional competence in physical therapy
(b) Must be designed to increase or enhance knowledge or skills of current standards in physical therapy practice
(c) Programs that deal with the internal affairs of an organization do not qualify for approval
2. Course objectives are clearly stated and identify the knowledge and/or skills that the participants should acquire during the course.
(a) Course objectives must be clearly stated and relevant to physical therapy
(b) Course objectives must include the expected outcome for participants that relate to the practice of physical therapy
3. The course content is consistent with the stated objectives.
(a) Course content must be appropriate to achieve the objectives
4. The instructional methods are appropriate to achieve the objectives.
(a) Methods must be appropriate to the subject matter taught
(b) Methods must allow suitable time for participants to absorb the material presented
(c) Must describe instructional aids and resource materials utilized
5. The instructor(s) have appropriate qualifications and credentials in the content areas of the course.
(a) Must have practical experience or academic credentials in the topic areas presented in the course
6. The method used to assess a participant’s attainment of the course objectives is appropriate.
(a) Method of assessment must be consistent with objectives (e.g. written test for lecture material or skills observation for lab material)
7. The evaluation form that the participants must complete is appropriate.
(a) Evaluation form has questions that are relevant to providing the presenter with information on the strengths and weaknesses of the course.
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APTA TN uses the term “continuing education units” (CEUs) to define the credit given in course approval. CEUs are based on contact hours. Sixty (60) minutes of time actually spent in the educational portion of the course equals one contact hour. Credit is not given for registration, meals, or breaks. Ten contact hours equal 1 CEU.
2. A course will not be evaluated for approval if the applicant does not submit all of the information required on the application.
3. A course submitted by the provider should be received 60 days prior to the date for which initial approval is sought.
4. The provider of a continuing education course may apply for approval after the date of the course for up to one year. This policy does not include coures related to Dry Needling. Per the Tennessee Physical Therapy Licensing Board, Dry Needling courses may not be back dated.
5. Approval for a continuing education course is valid for a 12 month period from the initial approval date. For traditional onsite courses, the date of the initial approval is the date the course is first presented. The course may be offered again – exactly as it was approved with the same curriculum and presenter(s) – on additional dates within the 12 month period from the initial approval date with no additional fee. The course provider may list the multiple dates on the initial application or submit a new application with an explanation that it is a repeat of an earlier course. This procedure is necessary so that APTA TN can maintain a record of all courses offered on all dates.
6. If approval of a continuing education course is denied, the course provider may appeal the decision to the APTA TN Executive Committee.
7. Providers of continuing education courses approved by APTA TN are prohibited from self-promotion of programs, products, and/or services during the presentation of the program.
8. At the conclusion of a continuing education course approved by APTA TN, the participant must be provided a letter or certificate of completion that will indicate the number of CEUs earned and the course approval number assigned by APTA TN.
9. Continuing education course providers are required to maintain records of participant attendance and course evaluation forms for three years.
10. APTA TN will conduct an annual audit of a random sample of continuing education course providers to determine compliance with maintenance of records of participant attendance and course evaluation forms.
11. APTA TN will maintain a database that includes a summary of approved continuing education courses. It will include the course name, the APTA TN assigned approval number, the date(s) of the course, the location of the course, the number of CEUs awarded, and contact information for the course provider.
12. APTA TN will not maintain records of individual names of participants attending continuing education courses. It is the licensee’s responsibility to maintain his/her own records for continuing education.
13. Approved courses will be posted on the APTA TN website. Course information will include the title, provider, location, date(s), approved number of hours, and contact information.
