Pennsylvania SB 197: An Act amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), known as the Physical Therapy Practice Act, further providing for definitions, for powers and duties of board, for continuing education and for practice of physical therapy.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 147
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 197
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BROWN, ROTHMAN, FONTANA, HUTCHINSON, SCHWANK,
CULVER AND MASTRIANO, JANUARY 29, 2025
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
JANUARY 29, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), entitled
"An act relating to the practice of physical therapy,"
further providing for definitions, for powers and duties of
board, for continuing education and for practice of physical
therapy.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "certificate of authorization"
in section 2 of the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110),
known as the Physical Therapy Practice Act, is amended to read:
Section 2. Definitions.--The following definitions shall
apply, when used in this act, unless otherwise expressed
therein:
* * *
["Certificate of authorization" means a certificate, approved
by the board, to practice physical therapy without a referral
under section 9(a).]
* * *
Section 2. Sections 3(a), 7.2 and 9(b), (c) and (e) of the
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act are amended to read:
Section 3. Powers and Duties of Board.--(a) It shall be the
duty of the board to pass upon the qualifications of applicants
for licensure as physical therapists and certification as
physical therapist assistants, to conduct examinations, to issue
and renew licenses [and certificates of authorization] to
physical therapists and certificates to physical therapist
assistants who qualify under this act, and in proper cases to
refuse to issue, suspend or revoke the license [or certificate
of authorization] of any physical therapist or certificate of
any physical therapist assistant. The board may adopt rules and
regulations not inconsistent with law as it may deem necessary
for the performance of its duties and the proper administration
of this law. The board is authorized and empowered to appoint
hearing examiners and to conduct investigations and hearings
upon charges for discipline of a licensee or certificate holder
or for violations of this act and to cause, through the office
of the Attorney General, the prosecution and enjoinder of
individuals violating this act. The board shall maintain a
register listing the name of every living physical therapist
licensed to practice in this State, and every physical therapist
assistant duly certified pursuant to section 9.1, such
individual's last known place of residence, and the date and
number of the physical therapist's license and the physical
therapist assistant's certificate. Residential information shall
not be considered a public record under the act of [June 21,
1957 (P.L.390, No.212), referred to as the Right-to-Know Law]
February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law.
* * *
Section 7.2. Continuing Education.--For each license
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renewal, a licensee shall complete within the immediately
preceding two-year period at least 30 hours of continuing
physical therapy education as approved by the board. The
licensee shall provide the board with evidence of the completion
of the continuing education. [A physical therapist who has met
the continuing education requirements for a certificate of
authorization set forth in section 9(c)(1) shall be deemed to
have met the continuing education requirement for license
renewal. No credit shall be given for any course in office
management or practice building.]
Section 9. Practice of Physical Therapy.--* * *
(b) Licensees who meet the standards set forth in this
subsection may [apply to the board for a certificate of
authorization to] practice physical therapy under this act
without the required referral under subsection (a). [A
certificate of authorization to] The practice of physical
therapy without a referral under subsection (a) shall not
authorize a physical therapist either to treat a condition in an
individual which is a nonneurologic, nonmuscular or nonskeletal
condition or to treat an individual who has an acute cardiac or
acute pulmonary condition unless the physical therapist has
consulted with the individual's licensed physician, dentist or
podiatrist regarding the individual's condition and the physical
therapy treatment plan or has referred the individual to a
licensed physician, dentist or podiatrist for diagnosis and
referral. [The certificate of authorization shall be issued only
to licensed physical therapists practicing physical therapy. The
certificate of authorization shall be displayed by the
certificate holder in a manner conspicuous to the public. The
renewal of the certificate of authorization shall coincide with
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the renewal of the license of the licensee. Licensees making
application for a certif