Georgia Board of Physical Therapy Rules and Regulations
The Board rules domain tests how the Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy fills in the statute with regulation: how it makes rules, sets fees, approves continuing education, runs investigations, and conducts hearings. Exam items here are operational - what a rule requires a licensee to do - rather than clinical.
Where the authority sits
Statutory scope comes from O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 33. The Board's regulations are compiled in Chapter 360 of the Georgia Rules and Regulations. The statute controls when the two conflict, but most day-to-day questions - application forms, fee amounts, accepted continuing education, supervision standards, recordkeeping - are answered at the rule level. Rules adopted by the Board carry the force of law.
How the Board operates
- Rulemaking follows the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act (O.C.G.A. Title 50, Chapter 13): notice, public comment period, filing, and effective date.
- Meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Act, and minutes are public records.
- The Board sets and publishes fees, approves continuing education providers, issues and renews licenses, and investigates complaints.
- Disciplinary matters proceed as contested cases with notice and an opportunity for hearing; final decisions may be appealed to superior court on the record.
Compliance obligations set by rule
- Practice only on a current, active license; display or verify licensure as required.
- Advertising must be truthful and not misleading; superiority claims and unrecognized board certifications are prohibited.
- Fee splitting, kickbacks, and paying for referrals are prohibited.
- Licensees must notify the Board of reportable events, including address changes, disciplinary action in another jurisdiction, and certain criminal convictions.
- Records must be created, maintained, and released according to rule.
Worked example
A clinic wants to print 'Board Certified Sports Specialist' for a therapist who completed a weekend course. The claim is misleading and cannot be used unless the certification comes from a recognized certifying body and is accurately described. The Board treats false or deceptive advertising as unprofessional conduct; the correct move is to remove the claim or state the actual training accurately.
Traps
Assuming rules are only guidance; assuming a Board rule cannot be enforced unless it repeats the statute; confusing an informal Board inquiry with a formal hearing; assuming licensure in another state satisfies Georgia notification duties.