Alabama PT Jurisprudence key terms

A person licensed by the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy to evaluate, examine, and treat patients with movement or functional limitations using physical measures, and to direct the care delivered by assistants and aides.

A person licensed to perform selected physical therapy interventions and related tasks under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist, without independently evaluating, diagnosing, or altering the plan of care.

An unlicensed worker who performs non-treatment supportive tasks such as transporting patients, cleaning equipment, and clerical duties, and who may not provide skilled physical therapy interventions.

The legally permitted boundaries of professional activity for a licensee, defined by statute and Board rule, including evaluation, intervention, documentation, and the limits on delegation to others.

Examining and evaluating patients, alleviating impairments and functional limitations, preventing injury and disability, and administering treatment through physical agents, exercise, manual techniques, and related modalities.

The Alabama state agency whose members are appointed to license physical therapists and assistants, adopt rules, investigate complaints, and impose discipline for violations of the practice act.

The Board's power to adopt administrative regulations that implement and interpret the practice act, including rules on licensure, continuing education, supervision, and standards of conduct.

Statutorily listed reasons the Board may sanction a licensee, such as practicing beyond scope, substance impairment, fraud in obtaining a license, or failing to meet documentation and supervision standards.

The most severe Board sanction, permanently voiding a license and requiring the former licensee to apply for reinstatement and satisfy any conditions the Board imposes.

A Board order temporarily withdrawing the privilege to practice for a stated period or until stated conditions are met, after which the licensee may seek reinstatement or restoration.

A disciplinary status in which a licensee may continue practicing under specified restrictions, monitoring, or conditions imposed by the Board for a defined period.

The Board's formal grant of authority to practice physical therapy or work as a physical therapist assistant after an applicant meets education, examination, and other statutory requirements.

The periodic process by which a licensee submits a renewal application and fee, and certifies completion of required continuing education, to keep a license active for the next cycle.

Required ongoing professional learning, documented in hours or units, that a licensee must complete during each renewal period to maintain licensure and stay current in practice.

A license that has expired because renewal requirements were not met by the deadline, so the holder may no longer lawfully practice until the license is restored or reinstated.

The process of restoring a lapsed, suspended, or revoked license, typically requiring an application, fees, evidence of continuing education, and any additional conditions the Board sets.

A pathway allowing a licensee from another jurisdiction to obtain an Alabama license based on a valid out-of-state credential and verification of good standing and equivalent qualifications.

Official confirmation from a licensing authority that a person holds a license and whether it is active, lapsed, suspended, or subject to discipline, commonly required for endorsement and employment.

The physical therapist's responsibility to direct, monitor, and remain accountable for care delivered by assistants and aides, with the required level of oversight set by statute and Board rule.

A level of oversight in which the supervising physical therapist is physically present in the facility and immediately available to intervene while the assistant or aide performs assigned tasks.

A level of oversight in which the supervising physical therapist is not required to be on site but must be available for consultation and retains responsibility for the patient's plan of care.

The physical therapist's assignment of specific patient care or supportive tasks to an assistant or aide, limited to activities the delegate is competent and legally permitted to perform.

The written, individualized treatment plan established by the physical therapist that states goals, interventions, frequency, and duration, and which guides the work of assistants and aides.

The contemporaneous written record of evaluation findings, interventions, patient response, and progress, created so care is verifiable, coordinated, and defensible in audits or disputes.

The requirement to keep patient records for the period specified by statute or Board rule after the last treatment date, and to safeguard their confidentiality and availability for authorized review.

A patient's voluntary agreement to evaluation or treatment after receiving an explanation of the proposed care, its expected benefits, material risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse.

The duty to protect patient health information from unauthorized disclosure, releasing it only with patient authorization or as permitted or required by law.

The ability of a patient to receive physical therapy services from a licensed physical therapist without first obtaining a physician referral, subject to any limits the practice act imposes.

A written or verbal request from a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or other authorized provider directing a patient to physical therapy, sometimes required before or during a course of care.

Practice under direct access conditions in which the therapist may treat a patient for a defined period or condition but must refer the patient to another provider when specified triggers occur.

The authority to evaluate and treat patients without a physician referral and without the time or condition limits that apply to limited direct-access practice.

Behavior falling below the standards expected of licensees, such as dishonesty, practicing while impaired, breaching confidentiality, or failing to cooperate with a Board investigation.

The legal obligation of a licensee to notify the Board of certain events, such as a disciplinary action taken elsewhere or knowledge of another licensee's serious misconduct.

Providing physical therapy services without a valid active license, or aiding another person in doing so, and a basis for both criminal penalties and Board discipline.

An improper arrangement in which a licensee pays or receives part of a professional fee to or from a referral source, prohibited because it can compromise independent clinical judgment.

Directly or indirectly contacting prospective patients to induce them to use a licensee's services in a manner that is deceptive, coercive, or contrary to Board advertising rules.

Public communication about services that must be truthful and not misleading, and that may not include false claims of credentials, guarantees of results, or deceptive comparisons.