PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT PRIVILEGE S.B. 501:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 501 (as introduced 8-13-25)
Sponsor: Senator Sylvia Santana
PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT PRIVILEGE S.B. 501:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 501 (as introduced 8-13-25)
Sponsor: Senator Sylvia Santana
CONTENT (COMPANION BILL LINK: H.B. 4380)
The bill would amend Article 17 (Facilities and Agencies) of the Public Health Code to do the following:
-- Authorize an individual who held a compact privilege to practice physical therapy under the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (Compact) to engage in the practice of physical therapy under Article 15 (Occupations) of the Code.
-- Authorize an individual who held a compact privilege to practice physical therapy as a physical therapist assistant under the Compact to engage in practice as a physical therapist assistant under Article 15 under the supervision of a physical therapist.
-- Prescribe a $90 fee for an individual seeking to hold a compact privilege.
-- Require the Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) or the Director’s designee to act as Michigan’s delegate for Compact purposes.
The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 4101, which would enact the Compact to allow the interstate practice of physical therapy. The bill would take effect one year after its enactment.
Under the bill, an individual who held a compact privilege to practice physical therapy under the Compact would be authorized to engage in the practice of physical therapy under Article 15. For purposes of Article 15, including the obligations of an individual who was licensed as a physical therapist, an individual who held a compact privilege to practice physical therapy under the Compact would be considered a physical therapist licensed under the Code.
The Code defines "physical therapist" as an individual licensed under Article 15 to engage in the practice of physical therapy. Under the bill, the term also would mean an individual who was authorized under Section 17820a, which the bill would add, to engage in the practice of physical therapy.
The bill also would authorize an individual who held a compact privilege to practice physical therapy as a physical therapist assistant under the Compact to engage in practice as a physical therapist assistant under Article 15 under the supervision of a physical therapist. For purposes of Article 15, including the obligations of an individual who was licensed as a physical therapist assistant, an individual who held a compact privilege to practice physical therapy under the Compact would be considered a physical therapist assistant licensed under the Code.
The Code defines "physical therapist assistant" as an individual with a health profession subfield license under the Code who assists a physical therapist in physical therapy intervention. Under the bill, the term also would mean an individual authorized under Section 17820b, which the bill would add, to engage in practice as a physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a physical therapist.
The bill would prescribe a $90 fee for an individual seeking to hold a compact privilege under the Compact, which is the same fee as the current physical therapist license fee.
Finally, the bill would require the Director of LARA or the Director’s designee to act as Michigan’s delegate for the purposes of the Compact.
PREVIOUS LEGISLATION
(This section does not provide a comprehensive account of previous legislative efforts on this subject matter.)
Senate Bill 501 is a companion bill to House Bill 4380 and a reintroduction of Senate Bill 1168 of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1168 passed the Senate but received no further action.
Legislative Analyst: Alex Krabill
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill, in conjunction with House Bill 4101 (H-1), would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on State government and no fiscal impact on local units of government. They would require LARA to take on significant responsibilities; however, existing appropriations and staff likely would be sufficient to cover the cost and workload associated with the Compact. As a participant in the Compact, the State could incur legal costs if it defaulted on Compact terms or was terminated from the Compact. The Attorney General also could incur additional enforcement costs. The Commission also could levy and collect an annual assessment on the State to cover its own operation costs. The total assessment is currently unknown.