Florida PT Jurisprudence cheat sheet

Physical therapy practice in Florida is governed primarily by Chapter 486, Part III, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 64B17, Florida Administrative Code.

The Board of Physical Therapy Practice, created under F.S. 486.102, adopts rules in Chapter 64B17 F.A.C. covering licensure, supervision, and practice standards.

'Physical therapy' is statutorily defined to include examination, treatment, and instruction of patients to relieve pain and restore function, including the use of physical measures and rehabilitative procedures.

'Physical therapist assistant' means a person licensed under Part III who performs patient care activities under the on-site supervision of a physical therapist.

'Practice of physical therapy' includes assessing patients, planning treatment, and applying interventions such as exercise, manual therapy, and physical agents.

A license is required to practice; unlicensed practice is a violation subject to discipline and criminal penalty.

The Board may deny licensure or take disciplinary action for violations enumerated in F.S. 456.072 and F.S. 486.125.

Administrative rules carry the force of law; violation of a Board rule is grounds for discipline under F.S. 486.125.

Licensure requires graduation from an accredited physical therapy program, passage of the NPTE, and compliance with application requirements set by the Board.

Licenses expire biennially on November 30 of odd-numbered years; renewal requires completion of required continuing education and fees.

Continuing education must include a specified number of hours per biennium, with at least some hours in Board-approved subjects such as HIV/AIDS and medical errors.

Licensees must report changes of address to the Department within the timeframe specified by rule.

An inactive or delinquent license must be reinstated per Board rule before practice resumes; practicing on a delinquent license is a violation.

Continuing education records must be retained by the licensee and produced upon audit request.

The Department of Health, through the Board, issues licenses and administers renewal and continuing education compliance.

Failure to complete continuing education requirements can result in license renewal denial or disciplinary action.

A physical therapist may perform an initial evaluation and establish a plan of care; a physical therapist assistant may not perform the initial evaluation.

A physical therapist assistant practices only under the on-site supervision of a physical therapist and may not independently modify the plan of care.

The supervising physical therapist must be accessible and provide supervision consistent with Board rule; the level of supervision depends on patient acuity and setting.

Delegation to unlicensed personnel is limited to non-skilled tasks and may not include components of the physical therapy evaluation or treatment plan.

A physical therapist must document supervision and the care provided by assistive personnel.

A physical therapist assistant may perform treatment interventions and report patient response to the supervising therapist, who remains responsible for the plan of care.

Physical therapists may not delegate tasks that require the judgment or skill of a licensed physical therapist.

Scope of practice includes patient education, wound care related to physical therapy, and application of physical agents within the therapist's competence.

Grounds for discipline include fraud in obtaining a license, practicing beyond scope, and violating Board rules or statutes.

The Department of Health investigates complaints; probable cause findings may lead to an administrative complaint and formal disciplinary proceedings.

Disciplinary penalties may include reprimand, fine, probation, suspension, revocation, or restriction of license.

Licensees must report certain violations, including impairment or misconduct of other licensees, as required by statute.

Patient records must be kept confidential except as authorized by law; unauthorized disclosure may constitute grounds for discipline.

Practicing while impaired by alcohol or drugs is a violation subject to discipline and possible intervention program referral.

A licensee must respond to Department inquiries and comply with subpoenas; failure to cooperate may itself be a violation.

The Board may impose costs of investigation and prosecution in addition to other penalties.