10. If a PT evaluates and initiates treatment without a referral, can another PT treat the patient during that time period?
Yes, as long as the PT has the qualifications and meets the requirements to provide treatment without a referral.
9. Can a PT who is treating a patient without a referral delegate treatment to a PTA or an aide/tech?
Yes, the statute as amended authorizes a PT to treat without a referral in a manner described by Section 453.005 of the PT Practice Act which includes delegation of selective forms of treatment to support personnel while a physical therapist retains the responsibility for caring for the patient and directing and supervising the support personnel.
8. Does a PT with a BS or MS in Physical Therapy who completed a residency or fellowship qualify for providing treatment without a referral for 15 consecutive business days?
No, only a PT with a doctoral degree who completed a residency or fellowship qualifies for providing treatment without a referral for 15 consecutive business days.
7. How can a PT who has a Bachelor of Science or a Master of Science in Physical Therapy qualify to treat without a referral?
A PT with a BS or MS in Physical Therapy can qualify to treat without a referral by completing 30 CCUs in the area of differential diagnosis. Treatment without a referral under this qualifier cannot exceed 10 consecutive business days. The 30 CCUs can be from several courses/activities and can be tickled out of a […]
6. Does a specialty certification or other advanced practice licensure qualify a PT to treat a patient without a referral for 15 consecutive business days?
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 […]
5. What qualifies a PT to treat without a referral for 15 consecutive business days?
A PT with a doctoral degree in physical therapy who has completed a residency or fellowship or is certified by an entity approved by the PT Board can provide treatment without a referral for 15 consecutive business days. A residency or fellowship completed prior to the implementation of accreditation standards qualifies as long as there […]
4. Can a PT that has a clinical or terminal doctoral degree in a related field treat a patient without a referral for not more than 10 consecutive business days?
No, the statute as amended does not include other clinical or terminal doctoral degrees in a related field as qualifications sufficient to allow a physical therapist to provide not more than 10 consecutive business days of treatment without a referral.
3. What doctoral degrees qualify a PT to treat a patient without a referral for not more than 10 consecutive business days?
A PT whose entry-level degree is a doctoral from a CAPTE-accredited program qualifies to treat a patient without a referral for not more than 10 consecutive business days. Additionally, a PT with a postprofessional (transitional) DPT, a Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy, or a PhD in Physical Therapy qualifies as long as the program […]
2. How much professional liability insurance must a PT carry in order to treat patients without a referral?
A PT must have professional liability insurance before treating a patient without a referral effective September 1, 2019. The PT Board adopted a rule setting the amount of professional liability insurance coverage at $100,000/claim and $300,000/year
1. For how long must a PT be licensed before qualifying to provide treatment without referral?
A PT must have been licensed to practice physical therapy for at least one year in order to provide treatment without referral.