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PENNSYLVANIA STATUTES
TITLE 63. PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS (STATE LICENSED)
CHAPTER 27. PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE
Date:
08/31/2009
Document:
NOTICE: This section is repealed in part insofar as inconsistent with 2001, Dec. 10, P.L. 859, No. 92, Section 5 of said Act, effective in 60 days.
This section is repealed in part insofar as inconsistent with 2001, Dec. 10, P.L. 863, No. 93, Section 6 of said Act, effective in 60 days.
§ 1304. Training and license required; exceptions
(a) It shall be unlawful for an individual to practice or hold himself out as being able to practice physical therapy in this State in any manner whatsoever unless such individual has met the educational requirements and is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this act. The board shall determine standards, by regulations, regarding qualifications necessary for the performance of such tests or treatment forms as the board shall determine require additional training or education beyond the educational requirements set forth by this act, as such relates to the practice of physical therapy in accordance with law. Nothing in this act, however, shall prohibit an individual trained and licensed or certified to practice or to act within the scope of his license or certification in this State under any other law, from engaging in the licensed or certified practice for which he is trained.
(b) Deleted by 2008, July 4, P.L. 293, No. 38, § 4, effective in 90 days [Oct. 2, 2008].
(b.1) It shall be a violation of this act for an individual or business entity to utilize in connection with a business name or activity the words "physical therapy," "physical therapist," "physiotherapy," "physiotherapist" or similar words and their related abbreviations which imply directly or indirectly that physical therapy services are being provided, including the billing of physical therapy services, unless such services are provided by a licensed physical therapist in accordance with this act: Provided, however, That nothing in this section shall limit a physician's authority to practice medicine or to bill for such practice nor limit a chiropractor's authority to practice chiropractic or to bill for such practice.
(b.2) Nothing in this act shall limit a physician's authority to practice medicine or to delegate the performance of a medical service to a certified physical therapist assistant who is under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, if the medical service is within the education and training for the physical therapist assistant and provided that the licensed physical therapist provides the initial evaluation for the physical therapy.
(b.3) The following shall apply:
(1) A student who is enrolled in a board-approved school of physical therapy may perform acts of physical therapy incidental to the student's course of study.
(2) An individual may engage in the nontreatment-specific administration of baths, massage and exercise.
(3) A physical therapist holding an unrestricted license in another jurisdiction of the United States or credentialed in another country, if that individual by contract or employment is providing physical therapy to individuals affiliated with or employed by established athletic teams, athletic organizations or performing arts companies temporarily practicing, competing or performing in this Commonwealth, may perform physical therapy for no more than 60 days within a consecutive 12-month period.
(4) A physical therapist holding an unrestricted license in another jurisdiction of the United States or credentialed in another country may enter this Commonwealth to provide physical therapy during a declared State or national disaster. This exemption applies for no more than 60 days within a consecutive 12-month period following the declaration of the emergency. In order to be eligible for this exemption, the physical therapist shall notify the board of their intent to practice.
(5) A physical therapist who holds an unrestricted license in another jurisdiction of the United States may provide consultation by means of telecommunication where there is no fee paid for the consultation.
(6) An individual employed by an agency, bureau or division of the Federal Government who is discharging official duties is not subject to this act. However, if the individual engages in the practice of physical therapy outside the scope of official duties, the individual must meet the educational requirements and be licensed or certified as provided in this act.
(c) The practice of physical therapy shall not include the practice of chiropractic as defined by the act of December 16, 1986 (P.L. 1646, No. 188), known as the "Chiropractic Practice Act."
(d) A physical therapist assistant is exempt from the requirement of certification under this act for no more than 60 days within a consecutive 12-month period if the physical therapist assistant is certified or licensed in a jurisdiction of the United States or credentialed in another country and is assisting a physical therapist engaged specifically in activities related to subsection (b.3)(3) and (4).
(e) Notwithstanding subsection (d), a physical therapist assistant providing physical therapy acts and services and the physical therapist supervising such physical therapist assistant shall be subject to the supervision requirements of this act.
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