Physical Therapy Practice Act: Scope of Practice, Licensure Categories, and Definitions
What this domain tests
The Practice Act domain asks whether you can read the statute the way the Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) and an administrative law judge will. Questions turn on definitions first, because every later dispute (was this supervision adequate? was this unlicensed practice?) is resolved by whether the person and the act fit a statutory definition. Expect items on the physical therapist (PT), the physical therapist assistant (PTA), the physical therapy aide, the "physical therapy corporation," and the phrase "physical therapy" itself.
Core rules
- Physical therapy is defined as the treatment of a physical condition through physical or mechanical means, including examination, evaluation, and the use of therapeutic exercise, mobilization, and modalities, for the purpose of preventing, correcting, or alleviating disability. The definition drives the scope questions.
- PT scope includes examination, evaluation, diagnosis within the physical therapy scope, prognosis, and intervention, plus consultation, education, and research. Diagnosis here is limited to conditions amenable to physical therapy and does not extend to medical diagnosis.
- PTA scope is treatment-focused: the PTA performs physical therapy procedures and related tasks selected and delegated by the supervising PT. The PTA does not perform the initial examination, evaluation, or establish the plan of care.
- Aide is an unlicensed worker who may perform non-treatment, supportive tasks. An aide may not perform physical therapy treatment or apply modalities.
- Licensure categories include the PT license, the PTA license (formerly "certification" in older materials), and approvals for physical therapy corporations. There is no California "physical therapy technician" license.
Worked example
An aide applies a hot pack and sets up a TENS unit under a PT's direction. Is this within the aide's scope?
Reasoning: start with the definition. A hot pack and TENS are physical agents applied as treatment, so they are physical therapy procedures. Aides are limited to non-treatment supportive tasks. The PT's direction does not expand the aide's statutory scope. Answer: no; the PT or PTA must perform or direct the treatment, and the aide may only prepare the area and equipment.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing the PTA's delegated treatment role with the PT's non-delegable examination and evaluation.
- Assuming a supervising PT can authorize an aide to do treatment "just this once." Supervision cannot enlarge scope.
- Treating "diagnosis" as forbidden to PTs entirely; PT diagnosis is limited to the physical therapy scope, not prohibited.
- Mixing up the PTA license with a certification title used in other states.
Key points
- Definitions control: identify the person and the task before answering.
- PT: examination, evaluation, diagnosis within scope, prognosis, intervention, consultation.
- PTA: delegated treatment only; no initial examination, evaluation, or plan of care.
- Aides: non-treatment support only; no modalities or therapeutic procedures.
- Supervision cannot expand anyone's statutory scope.