CAL-JAM for Physical Therapy 2025

Where can a person find the Laws (statutes) for the lawful practice of physical therapy in CA?

The Physical Therapy Practice Act

What is the name of the regulations that govern physical therapy practice in CA?

California Code of Regulations (CCR)

- The professional and vocational regulations, division 13.2. PTBC

The Physical Therapy Practice Act is contained in which of the California Codes?

Business and Professions Code

Is the Physical Therapy Practice Act a regulation of statute?

Statute (also called law or code)

Where in law is the Physical Therapy Practice Act located?

Business and professions code, section 2600

Under which department in the state Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, is the practice of physical therapy governed?

The Department of Consumer Affairs

What state Agency has jurisdiction over the practice of PT in CA?

The Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency

Purpose of establishing the PTBC in the Department of Consumer Affairs

- establish adequate relationships of professionals to protect consumers of CA from those professions deemed to engage in activities which the potential to impact the public health, safety, and welfare

The PTBC is under which department in the state government?

The Department of Consumer Affairs

What are the duties/tasks of the PTBC?

- evaluate license apps

- provide exams, establish passing scores

- issue PT and PTA licenses

- enforce Practice Act & Regulations, suspend or revoke licenses

- participate in Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

- provide education in matters relevant to PT

Functions of the PTBC

- set standards for licensees

- hold Board meeting, set dates for meetings

- prepare and conduct examinations

- investigate law violations, issue citations, hold hearings for license revocations, impose penalties if needed

What government board conducts hearings/cases regarding PT licensing?

The PTBC

What authority does the PTBC have to establish regulations regarding the practice of PT in CA?

-adopts regulations as necessary to effectuate this chapter of the state statues (Physical Therapy Practice Act)

How long is the term of office of any board member of the PTBC?

4 years - expires first day of June every year

How many terms can a member of the PTBC serve?

2 consecutive full terms

Who will enforce the Physical Therapy Practice Act?

The PTBC

What is the highest priority of the PTBC?

Public protection

What is the make-up of the PTBC

- 4 PTs and 3 public members

- PT must be resident of CA, licensed, and 5 year min of practicing

- public member must not have any medical license of any kind or be involved in physical therapy eduction

Who appoints the PTBC members?

- Governor: all PT members and 1 public member

- Senate Rules Committee: 1 public member

- Speaker ofAssembly: 1 public member

How many years must a licenses PT practice before they can be a PTBC member

- 5 years minimum, with a valid unrestricted license in CA

Do members of the PTBC establish regulations or statutes?

- adopt regulations as necessary to effectuate PT Practice Act

May the PTBC require applicant for licensure to furnish a full set of fingerprints when applying for licensure?

yes

Is PTBC authorized to receive from local/state agencies certified records of all arrests/convictions and probations records to complete applicant's license app?

yes

How many PTAs are on the PTBC?

none, they are currently not eligible

How many days does a person, holding a license, certificate, registration, permit, or other authority to engage in a profession/occupation by a board within the department have to notify the issuing board of a change in mailing address?

30 days after the change, unless shorter time specified

When can a student use the identification of PT or PTA student when working in the clinic?

- when engaging in clinical practice or observation of related education experience involving recipients of PT

- must display a name tag with title and min 18 point font

May a PT use the term "Doctor" or "Dr." in written or verbal commucation during patient care?

- Written: yes if licensees name is immediately followed by an unabbreviated specification of the applicable doctoral degree held

- Spoken: yes, they may use "Doctor" receding their name if the speaker specifies in conversation he/she is a PT

Who may identify themselves as a PT?

- person holding a license as a PT, issued by the PTBC

May a PT engage in advertising activities in support of providing PT services?

yes - may advertise any services authorized to be provided by a licensed PT

How many days does an applicant or licensee have to report a name change to the PTBC?

30 days

What is required regarding reporting of change of email address to the Board?

report within 30 days of email change

What notice is a PT required to give to patients?

- they are licensed to engage in the practice of PT and shall provide form (NTC 12-01, August 2012) to each patient

How is a PT to provide required notice (Form NTC 12-01) to patients?

At least one of the following methods:

- posted in a visible area on premises where they are providing services

- provide pt a copy of form, retain a signed and dated copy of acknowledgment from pt or representative and place in pt's medical record

Are PTs and PTAs mandated to report suspected/known abuse or even injury from assault/abusive conduct?

yes, this includes abuse or assault by others or self inflicted

How are PTs and PTAs to report an injury from assault or abuse?

- telephone ASAP or as soon as practically possible

- written report on standard form adopted by Office of Emergency Services or other accepted form

- local law enforcement agency shall be notified

- completed form shall be sent to local law enforcement within 2 WORKING DAYS of receiving info from person

- law enforcement shall be notified even if person has expired

What shall be included in the abuse or assault report?

- Name

- injured person's whereabouts

- character and extent of injuries

- identity of alleged person who inflicted injury/abuse/assault

In CA, can a person receive PT treatments from a licensed PT directly, without first seeing a physician?

yes, if the treatment rendered is within the scope of practice of the PT

Are there limits to the number of visits/days an individual may receive physical therapy therapy through a direct access mechanism?

yes - 12 visits or 45 days, referral required after this

Does the PT need to notify the pt's physician when PT is initiated through direct access mechanism?

yes, only with pt's written auth

What 2 conditions mandate the PT stop seeing a pt in direct access and refer them to a MD,DO,DPM, dentist, or chiropractor

1. If pt requires treatment beyond the PT scope of practice

2. If pt is not progressing towards documented goals

Are there any exemptions to the requirements of a person receiving PT services through direct access?

Yes:

1. Only wellness PT services are provided

2. PT provided as individualized family service plan or individualized educational plan pursuant to federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the individual does not have a medical diagnosis

What notifications shall the PT provide to the pt when the pt is directly accessing the PT for physical therapy services?

Before performing services, the PT shall:

- disclose financial interests he/she has in treating the pt

- provide the pt in writing and orally, the "Direct Physical Therapy Treatment Services" notice in at least 14 point font and signed by pt.

What are the requirements regarding PTA documentation of pt treatments?

PTA shall document the treatment and sign in the pt record

And include:

1. date and nature of services provided

2. name and title of any individual who provided such service, including individual's role in that service

What info is a PTA prohibited from collecting and/or documenting in a pt's treatment record?

A PTA shall NOT:

1. perform and documents measurments, or data collection prior to the evaluation of the pt by the PT.

2. document pt evaluation and re-eval

3. write a discharge summary

4. write progress reports to other healthcare professionals

Is a PTA required to document when there are changes to a pt's condition?

YES! PTA shall notify the PT of record and document when the pt's condition changes or is not within the planned progress or treatment plan

How are pt related tasks performed by a physical therapy aide documented into the pt record?

The supervising PT shall document and sign:

- the date and nature of services provided

- the name and title of the individual who provided such services

What are the requirements regarding PT student documentation of patient treatments?

The PT student shall document each treatment in the pt record, along with their signature

The clinical instructor/supervising PT shall countersign with their first initial and last name all entries in the pt's record (on the same dat as related pt tasks were provided by the PT student)

What are the requirements regarding PTA student documentation of patient treatments?

- PTA student shall document each treatment in the pt record, along with their signature

- Clinical instructor shall countersign with first initial and last name in pt's record on SAME DAY as services were provided by the PTA student

- Supervising PT shall conduct a weekly case conference and document it in the pt's record.

What are the requirements regarding a physical therapist licensed applicant's (PTLA) or PTALA for documentation of patient treatments?

Both PTLA and PTALA

- shall document each treatment in the pt's record and sign

- supervising PT shall countersign w/ first initial & last name on the SAME DAY as services were provided

For PTALA:

- Supervising PT must conduct a weekly case conference and document it in pt's record

Does the documentation of a PTA need to be co-signed?

NO!

the PTA shall document and sign an treatment provided and indicate date and nature of service, name and title of individual who performed service, and their role in that service

Does the documentation of a student PTA need to be co-signed?

YES!

Clinical Instructor of supervising PT shall countersign with their first initial and last name all entries in pt's record on same day as pt services were provided by the student

Are PT student required to have case conferences in the support of their documentation in the pt's medical records?

No

Are PTLA required to have case conferences in support of their documentation in the pt's medical records?

No

Are PTA students required to have case conferences in support of their documentation in the pt's medical record?

Yes

Are PTALAs required to have case conferences in support of their documentation in the pt's medical record?

Yes

When physical therapy care is provided to a pt, what does the record need to include?

- date and nature of services provided

- name and title of any individual who provided service, including that individuals role in that service

this does not include "non-patient related tasks"

What shall the PT include in a pt record when they are providing PT interventions?

PT will document and sign:

- examination & re-examination

- evals & re-evals

- diagnosis

- prognosis & intervention

- treatment plan & modifications of plan

- each treatment provided by the PT or PT aid

- discharge summary

How long must a pt record be kept for?

- minimum 7 years

- for minors still no less than 7 years, but has to be kept for at least a year after they turn 18

Do pts or their representatives have access to their medical records? (paper or electronic) And how long do they have to provide this?

YES- any pt or representative is entitled to inspect and acquire records, upon request and payment of reasonable costs

- has to be provided within 15 working days or can ask for 30 day extension

When a request for medical records is made by a pt/rep, may the practitioner provide a summary of the record rather than the actual record?

Yes, and needs to be provided within 10 working days

What is the authority of the PTBC in terms of record keeping

PTBC may issue a citation, discipline, deny license, suspend no more than 12 months, revoke, or impose probationary conditions for failure to maintain adequate/accurate records

Requirements for electronic record keeping systems

- safety and integrity of all electronic media used to store pt records

- original hard copies of pt records may be destroyed once electronically stored

- provide prompt access to stored pt records upon request to the Division of Licensing and Certification

- maintain original copies of records that cannot be electronically stored

- develop and implement policies and procedures to safeguard confidentiality and unauthorized access

What supervision is required of a physical therapy aide?

- under supervision of the PT at all times and not independently performing PT of PT procedures

Can a physical therapy aide be independently supervised by a PTLA or PT student?

NO, it is unlawful

Can a PT use an unlicensed aid during the course of provide PT services to a pt? If so how many?

yes, they are allowed 1 engaged in pt related tasks at a time....others can be doing non pt related tasks

What are the supervision requirements when using an unlicensed person to assist the PT in providing PT services?

-PT shall provide CONTINUOUS and IMMEDIATE supervision (same facility and immediate proximity) to aide

- PT is readily available to provide immediate advice, instruction, or intervention

How often shall a PT interact w/ a pt when PT aide is providing pt-related tasks to pt?

- at some point in same day, PT shall provide direct service to the pt

Can an athletic trainer or exercise physiologist participate in pt related services for pts with a PT?

No, although licensed in their respective fields, they are not licensed by the PTBC. They will be treated as aides

Do PT aides need to demonstrate their competencies in pt care prior to participating in pt related care?

Yes, prior to providing care, the PT shall evaluate and document the aides competency level for performing pt related tasks

- record of aides competencies shall be made available to the PTBC upon request

Can a PTA provide assistance in the provision of physical therapy services?

yes, only under supervision of a PT

the PT is responsible for the extent, kind, quality, and documentation provided by the PTA

What are the responsibilities of the PT when utilizing a PTA in the provision of PT services?

PT shall:

- at ALL TIMES be responsible for ALL PT provided by PTA

- ensure PTA is not functioning autonomously

- have continuing responsibility to follow the progress of each pt

- be responsible for determining which elements of a treatment plan may be assigned to the PTA

What is a "physical therapist of record" and how does this affect the PTA?

PT of record performs the initial eval and shall be the PT of record for that pt

- remains as such until reassignment of that pt to another PT has occurred

- ensures a written system of transfer to the succeeding PT exists

- provides supervision and direction to the PTA in treatment of pts to whom the PTA is providing care

What availability for communication must exist between the PTA providing PT services and their supervising PT or PT of record?

PTA shall be able to identify and communicate with the PT of record at all times during the treatment of a pt

Is a PTA permitted to supervise a PT aide performing pt related tasks?

No

How many PTAs performing pt related tasks may be supervised by a PT at any given time?

- no more than 2

What are the license requirements for a PTLA?

- may perform as a PT if under DIRECT and IMMEDIATE supervision of a PT licensed by the Board

What are the supervision requirements for a PTALA?

- may perform as a PTA if under DIRECT and IMMEDIATE supervision of a PT licensed by the Board

- Supervising PT will conduct weekly case conference and document it in the pt record

What is the documentation required for a PT to provide supervision to a PTLA?

- document receipt of letter authorizing PTLA

- record expiration date of such status in employee record

- require applicant to provide documentation of the license issued at the conclusion of PTLA status

What is the documentation required for a PT to provide supervision to a PTALA?

- document receipt of letter authorizing PTALA

- record expiration date of such status in employee record

- require applicant to provide documentation of the license issued at the conclusion of PTALA status

May a PTA be the supervisor of a PTA student when the PTA student is performing pt related tasks?

NO - they shall be supervised by a PT

A PTA (under the supervision of a PT) may perform as a clinical instructor for a PTA student

Does the supervising PT need to countersign a PTALA 's treatment documentation?

Yes , the supervising PT shall co-sign with their first initial and last name on the SAME DAY pt related tasks were performed

What kind of supervision is required for a PTLA providing pt related tasks?

DIRECT and IMMEDIATE supervision

What kind of interaction is required between the PTALA and PT providing their direct immediate supervision?

PT an PTALA will conduct a weekly case conference and document it occurred in the pt record

What are the general qualifications/requirements for licensure as a PT or PTA?

1. be over 18 years of age

2. not be addicted to alcohol or any controlled substance

3. successful completion of education training required

4. not have committed any acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure

Can the PTBC require membership of a specified private voluntary association or profession society?

NO!

- no healing arts licensing board of examining committee under the Department of Consumer Affairs shall require certification, eligibility of certification, or otherwise meet the standards of a specific private voluntary or professional society

Are there exceptions to the prohibition of required membership in a specific private voluntary association??????????

YES if:

- there is direct statutory authority or requirement that the board utilize the standards of the specified voluntary association or professional society

- the board specifies in the regulation the amount of education, training, experience , or other requirements of the private voluntary assc. or profess soc. which standards shall be consistent with the provisions of law regulating such licensees.

What needs to happen for a person to practice as a PTLA or PTALA?

- graduate from an approved education program

- file a complete application for licensure

- be awarded a PTLA or PTALA status

- practice under supervision of a licensed PT for no more than 120 days pending results of 1st licensure exam

Can a person who has not graduated from an approved PT education program apply for a license as a PTA?

YES

The person must have Board equivalent training or experience:

- equivalent to that obtained in an approved PTA education program and...

-meets the requirements of Section 2635 (18 yr old, no addictions to alcohols/controlled substances, no crimes)

How can a person who has not graduated from an approved PT education program have training or experience required for PTA licensure?

*training or experience considered equivalent to that obtained in an approved PTA school*

- military training

- basic hospital corps members course

- formal PTA course, minimum of 550 hrs of technical courses relating to PT, 350 hrs supervised clinical experience

-GE requirements described in....????

- training and work experience in PT (36 months full time work in PT, 30 semesters or 40 quarter units of instruction in technical areas, and general education)

- 18 months shall be in providing pt related tasks under immediate supervision of PT in acute inpatient facility

- professional education (section 2650)

What are the educational requirements for PTA licensure?

- be a graduate of a PTA program of an accredited post secondary institution or board approved institution

- have completed both academic and clinical experience required by the PTA program and have been awarded an associates degree

What is required to obtain a PT license by an applicant who has graduated from a PT education program not approved by the Board and outside of the US?

- completion of a professional degree substantially equivalent (at time of graduation) to a Board approved PT program

- Demonstrate English proficiency (TOEFL exam or other)

Are there exemptions from the English proficiency requirement?

-bachelors degree or higher in PT education from college/university in Australia, Canada (not Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, UK, US, or other english speaking countries Board approved

A graduate of an approved PT educational program applied for a license and received approval from the Board as a PTLA/PTALA. How long can they work under that designation?

The PTLA or PTALA shall practice under the supervision of a licensed PT for no more than 120 days pending the results of the first licensing exam administered

How will an employer/supervising PT for the PTLA or PTALA know the applicant has received approval from the Board as a PTLA or PTALA?

the supervising PT shall document receipt of the letter authorizing status and record the expiration date in the employee record

How soon after passing the examinations required can the PTLA or PTALA work as a licensed PT or PTA?

If examinations are passed, the PTLA or PTALA status shall remain in effect until a regular, renewable license is issued, or denied by the Board

How will an employer/supervising PT know the applicant has received their license from the Board, ending their LA status?

Applicant shall provide documentation of the license issued at conclusion of PTLA/PTALA status

What duties can a PTLA or PTALA perform under this regulatory status? What type of supervision is required?

They may perform as a PT or PTA respectively if under supervision of a licensed PT by the Board

- applicant cannot perform in those capacities if 1st exam attempt is failed

When does a license expire?

12am on the last day of the birth month of the licensee during the second year of a two year term, if not renewed

How can a licensee renew a license that has not expired?

-apply for renewal on a form prescribed

- pay the renewal fee

- submit proof of completion of continuing competency required by Board (section 2649)

- disclose on application any misdemeanor/criminal offenses found/pleaded guilty

Can a licensee renew a license that has expired?

An expired license may be renewed BEFORE, or WITHIN 5 YEARS OF EXPIRATION by application

Renewal shall be effective when:

- application is filed

- renewal fee/accrued fees are paid

- delinquency fee and penalty fee (if any) are paid, whichever last occurs