30 Miss. Code. R. 3103-7.1 - Exceptions

No person shall practice physical therapy or represent himself/herself to be a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant unless he/she is licensed by the Board, except as otherwise provided in this section.

1. Students enrolled in accredited physical therapy educational programs, while engaged in completing a clinical requirement for graduation, which must be performed under direct clinical supervision. Direct clinical supervision shall mean under the direct control of a clinical instructor of the physical therapy program in which the student is enrolled, or his/her designee. Students in an accredited physical therapy program may provide treatment services in a pro bono clinic setting under the supervision of a Mississippi licensed physical therapist when such is done as a part of the clinical requirements for graduation from a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant educational program. The clinical instructor or his/her designee must be a licensed Mississippi physical therapy practitioner and shall be readily accessible and accountable at all times when physical therapy services are being provided by the student. If the student is completing a physical therapist educational program, it's a licensed physical therapist. If the student is completing a physical therapist assistant program, the physical therapist assistant will work collaboratively with a physical therapist to supervise the physical therapist assistant student in full compliance with all laws, rules and regulations regarding physical therapist assistant scope of practice. The Board has adopted the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) guidelines for supervision of student physical therapist assistants.

2. Physical therapists licensed in other jurisdictions while enrolled in graduate educational programs in this state that include the evaluation and treatment of patients as part of their experience required for credit, so long as the student is not at the same time gainfully employed in this state as a physical therapist;

3. Practitioners of physical therapy employed in the United States Armed Services, United States Public Health Service, Veterans Administration or other federal agency; however, if such individual engages in the practice of physical therapy outside of the scope of official duty, he must be licensed as herein provided;

4. Physical therapists or physical therapist assistants licensed in other jurisdictions who are teaching or participating in physical therapy education projects, demonstrations or courses in this state, or providing physical therapy services to visiting established athletic organizations, performing arts companies or volunteering to provide services to competitors in events such as the Olympics or dance competitions in which their participation in the treatment and/or evaluation of patients is minimal.

5. Schools, YMCAs, athletic clubs and similar organizations furnishing services to their players and members, provided that they do not represent themselves as physical therapists, as physical therapist assistants, or as providing physical therapy services;

6. The performance by any person of simple mechanical or machine assisted acts in the physical care of a patient, not requiring the knowledge and skill of a physical therapist under the order or direction of a licensed doctor of medicine or dentistry or of a physical therapist assistant under the direct, on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

7. Nothing in these regulations is intended to limit, preclude, or otherwise interfere with the practices of other persons and health providers licensed by appropriate agencies of the State of Mississippi.

8. A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who is licensed in a jurisdiction of the United States and who enters this state to provide physical therapy during a lawfully declared local, state or national disaster or emergency. This exemption applies for no longer than 60 days or the period prescribed by the Board following the declaration of the emergency. In order to be eligible for this exemption the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall:

a. Notify the Board in writing of their intent to practice;

b. Shall provide a copy of their license in good standing;

c. Shall, if a physical therapist assistant, practice only under the supervision of a physical therapist who is duly licensed in the State of Mississippi. Any licensee who will supervise a person in this category shall provide the Board with a schedule indicating when the person will be performing therapy services and with the names of the facilities at which the person will perform the services.

Notes

30 Miss. Code. R. 3103-7.1

Miss. Code Ann. §§ 73-23-35(1); 73-23-37; 73-23-39; 73-23-43(1)(e); and 73-23-53(6) (Rev. 2008).