Committee hears testimony on bill to join physical therapy licensure compact

The House Rules Committee heard testimony in support of House Bill 4101, which would authorize Michigan to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact and incorporate the compact’s framework into the public health code.

Representative Matthew Bierlein and Brian Gilbert of the American Physical Therapy Association of Michigan told the committee the compact would ease workforce shortages and expand access to care by allowing licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to practice across state lines without obtaining multiple state licenses.

"As Michigan continues to face workforce shortages and increasing demand for health care services, including physical therapy, we must seek innovative solutions to improve access to care," Representative Matthew Bierlein said. Brian Gilbert, president of APTA Michigan and a Grand Rapids clinic owner, said the compact would create pathways for licensure across state lines and allow telehealth across participating states. Gilbert told the committee that, to his knowledge, 39 jurisdictions participate or have pending legislation and that almost all states that border Michigan are active compact states.

Testimony described several operational details in the compact as presented to the committee: compact participation requires connection to a shared data system for license verification; practitioners who seek compact privileges pay a one-time $90 application fee to obtain compact licensure for another state; practitioners remain licensed in their home state and would continue to follow their home state's continuing-education requirements; and a practitioner would need to satisfy a jurisdiction-specific jurisprudence requirement to practice under compact privileges in another state. Gilbert and Bierlein also said the compact provides flexibility for active-duty military service members and their spouses to designate a home state for licensure purposes.

Jeff Rosa of the Federation of State Boards for Physical Therapy joined on a Zoom call and was identified in the transcript as available to confirm the exact number of participating states. Elizabeth Cutter of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association was recorded as wishing to speak in support; Jared (Jarrett) Skorp of the Mackinac Center submitted a card not wishing to speak.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about whether Michigan practitioners would face new requirements under the compact; witnesses responded that Michigan licensees would not be required to follow other states' continuing-education requirements but would need to satisfy that state's jurisprudence requirement when practicing there. No committee vote on HB 4101 was recorded in the transcript.