9 Ethics and Jurisprudence for the Indiana Physical Therapy Professional: Summary
17. “Physical therapy diagnosis” means a systematic examination, evaluation, and testing process that culminates in identifying the dysfunction toward which physical therapy treatment will be directed. The term does not include a medical diagnosis. Section 2: Unlawful Practices Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for a person or business entity to do the following: 1. Practice physical therapy without first obtaining from the board a license authorizing the person to practice physical therapy in this state. 2. Profess to be or promote an employee to be a physical therapist, physiotherapist, doctor of physiotherapy, doctor of physical therapy, or registered physical therapist or to use the initials “P.T.,” “D.P.T.,” “L.P.T.,” or “R.P.T.,” or any other letters, words, abbreviations, or insignia indicating that physical therapy is provided by a physical therapist, unless physical therapy is provided by or under the direction of a physical therapist. 3. Advertise services for physical therapy or physiotherapy services, unless the individual performing those services is a physical therapist. a. It is unlawful for a person to practice physical therapy other than upon the order or referral of a physician, podiatrist, psychologist, chiropractor, dentist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant holding an unlimited license to practice medicine, podiatric medicine, psychology, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, or as a physician assistant, respectively. It is unlawful for a physical therapist to use the services of a physical therapist assistant except as provided under this chapter. b. It is unlawful for a person to profess to be or to act as a physical therapist assistant or to use the initials “P.T.A.” or any other letters, words, abbreviations, or insignia indicating that the person is a physical therapist assistant without first obtaining from the board a certificate authorizing
the person to act as a physical therapist assistant. It is unlawful for the person to act as a physical therapist assistant other than under the general supervision of a licensed physical therapist who is in responsible charge of a patient. However, nothing in this chapter prohibits a person licensed or registered in this state under another law from engaging in the practice for which the person is licensed or registered. These exempted persons include persons engaged in the practice of osteopathic medicine, chiropractic, or podiatric medicine. c. This chapter does not authorize a person who is licensed as a physical therapist or certified as a physical therapist assistant to evaluate any physical disability or mental disorder except upon the order or referral, practice medicine, surgery, dentistry, optometry, osteopathic medicine, psychology, chiropractic, or podiatric medicine or prescribe a drug or other remedial substance used in medicine. Section 2.5: Evaluations and Treatment Without a Referral A physical therapist may evaluate and treat an individual during a period not to exceed 42 calendar days beginning with the date of the initiation of treatment without a referral from a provider. However, if the individual needs additional treatment from the physical therapist after 42 calendar days, the physical therapist shall obtain a referral from the individual’s provider. A physical therapist may not perform spinal manipulation of the spinal column or the vertebral column unless the physical therapist is acting on the order or referral of a physician, an osteopathic physician, or a chiropractor and the referring provider has examined the patient before issuing the order or referral. A physical therapist who conducts testing using electrophysiologic or electrodiagnostic testing must obtain and maintain the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Clinical Electrophysiologic Specialist Certification.
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