Pennsylvania HB 1583: 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 training and license required and exceptions, for qualifications for license, examinations, failure of examinations, licensure without examination, issuing of license, foreign applicants for licensure, temporary license and perjury, for continuing education, for practice of physical therapy and for physical therapist assistant, education and examination, scope of duties and certification.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1894
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1583
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY GALLAGHER, GIRAL, PIELLI, KHAN, CIRESI, SANCHEZ,
DONAHUE, KENYATTA, BOROWSKI, CERRATO AND GREEN, JUNE 10, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, JUNE 10, 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 training and license required and exceptions, for
qualifications for license, examinations, failure of
examinations, licensure without examination, issuing of
license, foreign applicants for licensure, temporary license
and perjury, for continuing education, for practice of
physical therapy and for physical therapist assistant,
education and examination, scope of duties and certification.
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).]
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Section 2. Sections 3(a), 4(a), 6(a), 7.2, 9(b), (c) and (e)
and 9.1(a) of the 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.
* * *
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Section 4. Training and License Required; Exceptions.--(a)
It shall be unlawful for an individual to practice or hold
[himself] oneself out as being able to practice physical therapy
in this State in any manner whatsoever unless such individual
has met the educational requirements and is licensed in
accordance with the provisions of this act. The board shall
determine standards, by regulations, regarding qualifications
necessary for the performance of such tests or treatment forms
as the board shall determine require additional training or
education beyond the educational requirements set forth by this
act, as such relates to the practice of physical therapy in
accordance with law. Nothing in this act, however, shall
prohibit an individual trained and licensed or certified to
practice or to act within the scope of his license or
certification in this State under any other law, from engaging
in the licensed or certified practice for which [he] the
individual is trained.
* * *
Section 6. Qualifications for License; Examinations; Failure
of Examinations; Licensure Without Examination; Issuing of
License; Foreign Applicants for Licensure; Temporary License;
Perjury.--(a) To be eligible for licensure as a physical
therapist, an applicant must be at least 20 years of age unless
otherwise determined by the board in its discretion, be of good
moral character, not be addicted to the habitual use of alcohol
or narcotics or other habit-forming drugs, and be a graduate of
a school offering an educational program in physical therapy as
adopted by the board, which program has been approved for the
education and training of physical therapists by the appropriate
nationally recognized accreditin