Oregon Physical Therapy Practice Act: Statutory Framework, Definitions, and Scope of Practice
Statutory and regulatory layers
Oregon physical therapy is governed by ORS chapter 688 (the Practice Act) and the Board's rules in OAR chapter 848. The statute creates the licensing scheme and defines the practice; the rules supply operational detail-applications, CE, supervision, documentation, and discipline. The Board cannot enlarge the statute by rule.
Key definitions and scope
Physical therapy covers examination, evaluation, PT diagnosis of movement dysfunction, intervention, prevention, and wellness services. A PT may use exercise, manual therapy, modalities, gait training, and education. A PTA is a licensed assistant who carries out selected interventions under a PT's plan; an aide is an unlicensed worker limited to non-skilled tasks. Unlicensed practice is prohibited. PTs do not prescribe drugs, perform surgery, or order imaging as a physician would; when findings suggest pathology outside PT scope, the PT refers.
Worked example
A patient self-refers with anterior knee pain. The PT takes a history, screens red flags, performs an examination, and formulates a PT diagnosis (for example, patellofemoral pain). The PT may treat and educate, but cannot order an MRI or prescribe medication. If the patient reports night pain, fever, or unexplained weight loss, the PT stops and refers for medical evaluation.
Traps
Do not treat diagnosis as always forbidden: PTs diagnose movement-related conditions but not medical disease. Do not let a PTA perform the initial evaluation or change the plan. Do not use an aide for skilled interventions. Do not assume the Practice Act and Board rules are interchangeable; cite the correct layer.