The Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy is an eight member board appointed by the Governor to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Georgia. The Board meets approximately 6 times each year to administratively control, supervise and regulate the 4,310 licensed physical therapists and 1,236 licensed physical therapy assistants practicing in Georgia.

Physical Therapy is the examination, treatment, and instruction of people to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, bodily malfunction and pain from injury, disease and conditions. Licensed physical therapists practice in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, nursing homes, schools and private practices. The physical therapist assistant is supervised and directed by a licensed physical therapist.

Board meetings are open to the public and are generally held at the Secretary of State’s office in Macon. During the meetings, the Board reviews correspondence, applications for licensure, and complaints. Persons wishing to submit complaints or other matters for Board consideration should submit the matter in writing to the office.

RENEWAL INFORMATION:
Please remember that your license to practice Physical Therapy/Physical Therapy Assistant in the State of Georgia expires December 31, 2009 and must be renewed.  You should be receiving a renewal notice via e-mail not later than mid-October.  You are encouraged to utilize the Board’s on-line license renewal.  The renewal site should be ready to accept renewals not later than mid-October and can be found at www.sos.ga.gov/plb.    

Also, please remember that you are required to have completed thirty (30) hours of continuing competency credit by December 31, 2009 to be eligible to renew your license.  Please see Board Rule 490-4-.02 and Board Policy #7 on the Board’s web site at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/pt pertaining to the requirements for continuing competency credit. 

On June 11, 2009, the spread of the H1N1 flu virus caused the World Health Organization to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6, the highest level. Georgia officials are currently preparing for the H1N1 influenza campaign and the seasonal influenza campaign that will be conducted during fall and winter. The Department of Community Health is asking all health professionals to serve as emergency response volunteers by signing up to assist with the 2009-2010 novel H1N1 vaccine immunization plan. For more information and to sign up for the online volunteer pool at www.servga.org.