§ 3–1202.23. Board of Rehabilitative Therapies.

(a) There is established a Board of Rehabilitative Therapies to consist of 11 members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council.

(b) The Board shall regulate the practices of audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, and speech-language pathology and the practices by audiology assistants, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapist assistants, speech-language pathology assistants, and speech-language pathology clinical fellows.

(c) Of the members of the Board, 3 shall be physical therapists or physical therapist assistants licensed in the District, 2 shall be occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants licensed in the District, 2 shall be audiologists or speech-language pathologists licensed in the District, one shall be a recreational therapist licensed in the District, 2 shall be consumer members, and one shall be a District licensed or registered:

(1) Audiologist;

(2) Audiology assistant;

(3) Physical therapist;

(4) Physical therapist assistant;

(5) Occupational therapist;

(6) Occupational therapy assistant;

(7) Recreational therapist;

(8) Speech-language pathologist; or

(9) Speech-language pathology assistant.

(d) Of the members initially appointed under this section, 3 shall be appointed for a term of one year, 4 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, and 4 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. The terms of the members first appointed shall begin on the date that a majority of the first members are sworn in, which shall become the anniversary date for all subsequent appointments.

(e) The Board shall commence operation and assume regulatory authority from the Boards of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy one year from July 19, 2024, or once the following appointments are made, whichever is earlier:

(1) 2 members licensed to practice physical therapy;

(2) 2 members licensed to practice occupational therapy;

(3) One member authorized to practice speech-language pathology or audiology; and

(4) One consumer member.