All Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants must begin to demonstrate Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) to practice physical therapy in the state of Colorado after renewing their initial license/certificate. If your first license/certificate was issued during the middle of the DORA license cycle, you do not have to start working on your CPC requirements until AFTER you renew your license/certificate for the first time.
CPC requirements must be met in order to renew or reinstate a license/certificate to practice physical therapy by one of the following three methods:
1. The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program
- Complete the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)
- Execution of a Learning Plan
- Accrual of Professional Development Activities (PDA) Hours
- Physical Therapists - 30 hours of PDA relevant to the practice of physical therapy and in line with a Learning Plan. A minimum of 20 of the 30 required hours must be in the Educational Coursework, Fellowships, or Residencies category.
- Physical Therapist Assistants - 20 hours of PDA relevant to the practice of physical therapy and in line with a Learning Plan. A minimum of 15 of the 20 required hours must be in the Educational Coursework, Fellowships, and Residencies category.
2. Deemed Status
- A licensee/certificate holder who satisfies the continuing professional competency requirements of a Colorado state agency or department, an accrediting body recognized by the Board, or an entity approved by the Board for the full two-year license period may qualify for Deemed Status. Currently, the following organization has been approved by the Board:
- Colorado Department of Education
3. Receiving a military exemption
- Licensees/certificate holders who have been called to federally funded active duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency, or contingency may request an exemption for the continuing professional competency requirements for the two-year license period that falls within the period of service or within six months following the completion of service. To apply for a military exemption, visit dpo.colorado.gov/Military/FeeWaiver.
Details about how to meet CPC requirements by the three methods above can be found in the CPC Program Manual and other documents listed in the Resources section below.
**Audits of compliance will be conducted after a renewal period ends**
Resources
After selecting the document link, be sure to select the download icon to use the PDF fillable form.
- CPC Program Manual - this document explains, in detail, continuing professional competency requirements and the CPD Program.
- Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) - use this form at the beginning of each license period to reflect on your professional knowledge and skills. Using the results, you will create learning goals to be completed during the license period.
- Learning Plan Form - use this form to plan and record the completion of your Professional Development Activities (PDA) and the learning goals that you created for the CPD Program. If you are selected for an audit, you will provide this form (along with documentation as described in the PDA list).
- Professional Development Activities (PDA) List - this document summarizes the PDA categories that you can choose from to complete the required hours
- Independent Study, Group Study, In-Service Form - use this form to document any hours completed in the Independent Study, Group Study, In-Service categories. If you are selected for an audit, you will provide this form to document any hours completed in these activities.
- Deemed Status Letter - this letter template may be completed by the employer of any certificate holder or licensee claiming Deem Status and stored with all CPC documentation. Completion of this letter is not required in order to claim Deem Status.