(1) The board may cause a license to be issued through the department without examination to any applicant who presents evidence satisfactory to the board of having passed the American Registry Examination prior to 1971 or an examination in physical therapy before a similar lawfully authorized examining board of another state, the District of Columbia, a territory, or a foreign country, if the standards for licensure in physical therapy in such other state, district, territory, or foreign country are determined by the board to be as high as those of this state, as established by rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. Any person who holds a license pursuant to this section may use the words “physical therapist” or “physiotherapist” or the letters “P.T.” in connection with her or his name or place of business to denote her or his licensure hereunder. A person who holds a license pursuant to this section and obtains a doctoral degree in physical therapy may use the letters “D.P.T.” and “P.T.” A physical therapist who holds a degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy may not use the title “doctor” without also clearly informing the public of his or her profession as a physical therapist.
(2) At the time of making application for licensure without examination pursuant to the terms of this section, the applicant shall pay to the department a fee not to exceed $175 as fixed by the board, no part of which will be returned.
