Yes and No. Physical therapists with a doctoral degree who are certified by an entity approved by the Board now qualify to provide physical therapy treatment to a patient for up to fifteen (15) consecutive business days before requiring a referral from a qualified healthcare practitioner. This is in addition to those who have completed a physical therapy residency or fellowship. A list of the Board-approved certifying entities is linked at www.ptot.texas.gov.
Having an advanced practice licensure in an area other than physical therapy does not qualify a PT for treatment without referral