The Board of Physical Therapy.
The Board for the PTWA.
Do You Know the Difference?

The Physical Therapy Association of Washington, Inc. (PTWA) has a good working relationship with the Board of Physical Therapy (aka "The Licensing Board"), but the goals of these two organizations frequently differ.

The Licensing Board's focus is the protection of the public through the licensure of individuals who have met the criteria to become physical therapists. The Licensing Board also interprets the physical therapy law.

The PTWA's focus is communication of information relating to the profession of physical therapy and planning for the future of the profession.

The PTWA office receives many calls regarding licensure, leading us to believe that there is confusion in the minds of many therapists as to the distinction between the Licensing Board and the PTWA.

The PTWA is a state-wide nonprofit membership association, which is the State Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Membership in the APTA/PTWA is voluntary, not mandatory. PTs, PTAs, students and retired ("Life") PTs and PTAs may belong to the Association. PTWA is led by the PTWA Board of Directors who are elected by its membership.

On the other hand, all physical therapists who wish to practice physical therapy in the state of Washington must be licensed to do so. Licensing is done through the State of Washington, Department of Health, Board of Physical Therapy. It is the state of Washington that issues licenses. For example, the Department of Health licenses health practitioners (e.g., PTs, nurses, etc.), the Department of Licensing licenses non-health professions (e.g., Realtors, etc.), and the Department of Transportation licenses cars and drivers. Licensure is mandatory, not voluntary. The PTWA office refers all calls regarding licensure to the Board of Physical Therapy. 

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Last modified: November 30, 2007