Florida PT Jurisprudence flashcards
Florida PT Jurisprudence · Build recall with a focused review session.
31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Governing statute for PT
- Chapter 486, Part III, Florida Statutes, establishes licensure and regulation of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in Florida.
- Board of Physical Therapy
- The Board created under F.S. 486.102 adopts rules in Chapter 64B17, Florida Administrative Code, governing licensure and practice standards.
- Definition of physical therapy
- Statutorily includes examination, treatment, and instruction of patients to relieve pain and restore function using physical measures and rehabilitative procedures.
- Physical therapist assistant defined
- A person licensed under Part III who performs patient care activities under the on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
- Force of administrative rules
- Board rules in Chapter 64B17 carry the force of law; violating a rule is grounds for discipline under F.S. 486.125.
- Unlicensed practice prohibition
- Practicing physical therapy without a valid Florida license violates statute and exposes the person to discipline and criminal penalties.
- Statutory disciplinary grounds
- F.S. 486.125 and F.S. 456.072 list violations, including fraud, practicing beyond scope, and rule violations, that support Board discipline.
- Licensure requirements
- Applicants must graduate from an accredited program, pass the NPTE, and meet Board application requirements to obtain a Florida PT or PTA license.
- License renewal cycle
- Florida PT and PTA licenses expire biennially on November 30 of odd-numbered years and require renewal with fees and continuing education.
- Continuing education requirement
- Licensees must complete Board-required continuing education hours per biennium, including specified subjects such as HIV/AIDS and medical errors.
- CE record retention
- Licensees must retain documentation of completed continuing education and produce it upon audit by the Department or Board.
- Delinquent license practice
- Practicing on a delinquent or inactive license is a violation; reinstatement per Board rule is required before practice resumes.
- Address change reporting
- Licensees must notify the Department of a change of address within the timeframe specified by Board rule.
- Department of Health role
- The Department of Health, through the Board, issues licenses and administers renewal and continuing education compliance.
- CE noncompliance consequence
- Failure to complete required continuing education can result in denial of renewal or disciplinary action by the Board.
- Initial evaluation restriction
- Only a physical therapist may perform the initial evaluation and establish the plan of care; a PTA may not perform it.
- PTA supervision standard
- A PTA practices only under the on-site supervision of a physical therapist who remains responsible for the plan of care.
- Plan of care modification
- A PTA may not independently modify the plan of care; changes require the judgment of the supervising physical therapist.
- Unlicensed personnel delegation
- Delegation to unlicensed personnel is limited to non-skilled tasks and excludes evaluation or treatment plan components.
- Supervision documentation
- The physical therapist must document supervision and the care provided by assistive personnel consistent with Board rule.
- PTA treatment reporting
- A PTA performs interventions and reports patient response to the supervising therapist, who retains responsibility for care decisions.
- Non-delegable judgment tasks
- Tasks requiring the judgment or skill of a licensed physical therapist may not be delegated to assistants or unlicensed personnel.
- Scope includes patient education
- Physical therapy scope includes patient education, wound care related to therapy, and physical agents within the licensee's competence.
- Fraudulent licensure discipline
- Obtaining a license by fraud or misrepresentation is a ground for discipline, including revocation or denial of licensure.
- Complaint investigation process
- The Department investigates complaints; a probable cause finding may lead to an administrative complaint and formal disciplinary proceedings.
- Range of penalties
- Board penalties include reprimand, fine, probation, suspension, revocation, or restriction of the license.
- Patient confidentiality duty
- Patient records must remain confidential except as authorized by law; unauthorized disclosure may constitute grounds for discipline.
- Impaired practice violation
- Practicing while impaired by alcohol or drugs is a violation subject to discipline and possible referral to an intervention program.
- Duty to cooperate
- A licensee must respond to Department inquiries and comply with subpoenas; failure to cooperate may itself be a violation.
- Costs of investigation
- The Board may impose costs of investigation and prosecution in addition to other disciplinary penalties.
- Duty to report violations
- Licensees must report certain violations, including impairment or misconduct of other licensees, as required by Florida statute.