Updated: Important Message to PA Licensed Therapists

 

6/28/2021: COVID Mitigation Updates

From PA.gov: Responding to COVID-19 | PA.GOV: “COVID-19 mitigation measures have been lifted in Pennsylvania. Businesses and organizations may continue to implement mask policies.
All businesses and individuals are encouraged to follow CDC safety guidance.”

“The Wolf Administration supports local officials who choose to maintain additional restrictions. The following counties are under additional local guidelines:

From health.pa.gov: Coronavirus in Pennsylvania (pa.gov): “Effective June 28, the order requiring universal face coverings is lifted statewide. We continue to urge Pennsylvanians to follow CDC guidance for wearing a mask where required by law, rule, and regulations, including healthcare, local business and workplace guidance.”

UPDATED 06/11/2021 (ORIGINALLY POSTED: 05/17/2021) - BPOA has received many questions from licensed professionals about what happens to licensing waivers if the COVID-19 emergency disaster declaration is ended. With the Governor's signing of HB 854 (now Act 21 of 2021), licensing waivers will remain active until September 30, 2021, unless ended sooner. We will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

The Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs issued a statement that was sent via e-mail to all PA licensed PTs and PA certified PTAs. The statement addresses guidance regarding what happens to the licensing waivers currently in effect due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration if the declaration is ended.

Currently, there are nearly 100 temporary waivers in effect, many of which apply to our ability to practice (telehealth relief, PTA supervision relief, for example). Details of current waivers that apply to PT practice can be found in the archived COVID-19 updates on the APTA PA website and are available to all APTA PA members.

The statement from the Bureau Commissioner specifies that, “when the disaster declaration ends, the authority to grant these waivers will expire and they will no longer be in effect.” It goes on to say that the disaster declaration remains in place, and all waivers are currently effective, and concludes with the promise that the Bureau will provide additional updates should the disaster declaration be terminated prematurely. The directive recommends that individuals contact the Bureau at 833-DOS-BPOA (833-367-2762) if you have questions or concerns.

The APTA PA Practice & Research Committee will continue to monitor for further information, including any update on lifting the licensing waivers that are currently in effect in PA until Sept. 30, and will post any new directives through the APTA PA Weekly and Chapter website.