Ohio Admin. Code 4755:2-2-02 - Physical therapy practice defined

(A) In accordance with section 4755.48 of the Revised Code, only persons licensed by the physical therapy section of the board may imply or claim to be able to practice physical therapy or provide physical therapy services.

(1) Only persons licensed by the physical therapy section may use the words physical therapist, physical therapy, physical therapy services, physiotherapist, physiotherapy, physiotherapy services, physical therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant, physical therapy technician, or other words or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

(2) Only persons licensed by the physical therapy section may use the letters PT, PhT, PTT, RPT, LPT, MPT, DPT, MSPT, CPT, cPT, PTA, or any other letters or insignia to indicate or imply that the person is licensed to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

(B) The practice of physical therapy, as used in Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code, means engaging in physical therapy, as defined in division (A) of section 4755.40 of the Revised Code, including providing consultative services.

(C) For the purpose of division 4755:2 of the Administrative Code, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Physical therapist" means a person holding a valid license under sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 who performs the initial examination unless that physical therapist has transferred the responsibility for the management of the patient's care to another physical therapist and that physical therapist agrees to the transfer.

(2) "Physical therapist assistant" means a person holding a valid license under sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 to assist in the provision of physical therapy treatments, including the provision of patient education and instruction under the supervision of a physical therapist.

(3) "Other licensed personnel" means any person holding an Ohio license to practice as a health care practitioner in a profession other than physical therapy, and not holding a valid license under sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 of the Revised Code, who is working under the direct supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, as delegated by the physical therapist, and is performing tasks and duties related to the delivery of physical therapy.

(4) "Unlicensed personnel" means any person who is on the job trained and supports the delivery of physical therapy services by personally assisting the physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, student physical therapist and/or student physical therapist assistant while the physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, student physical therapist, and/or student physical therapist assistant is concurrently providing services to the same patient.

(5) "Student physical therapist" means a student enrolled in an accredited or candidacy status entry level physical therapist education program who is completing a required clinical education course. A student physical therapist shall be at least eighteen years old.

(6) "Student physical therapist assistant" means a student enrolled in an accredited or candidacy status entry level physical therapist assistant education program who is completing a required clinical education course. A student physical therapist assistant shall be at least eighteen years old.

(7) "Supervising physical therapist" means the physical therapist who is available to supervise the physical therapist assistant, the student physical therapist or student physical therapist assistant, other licensed personnel, or unlicensed personnel. The supervising physical therapist may be the physical therapist who performed the initial examination or another physical therapist with whom that physical therapist has a formal or informal agreement.

(8) "Supervising physical therapist assistant" means the physical therapist assistant who is appropriately available to supervise the student physical therapist assistant, other licensed personnel, or unlicensed personnel.

(9) "Direct supervision" means the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant is in the same building and available to immediately respond to the needs of the patient. The physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall have direct contact with the patient during each visit.

(10) "Telehealth" means the use of electronic communications to provide and deliver a host of health-related information and healthcare services, including, but not limited to physical therapy related information and services, over large and small distances.

(a) Telehealth encompasses a variety of healthcare and health promotion activities, including, but not limited to, education, advice, reminders, interventions, and monitoring of interventions.

(b) If a physical therapy patient is located in Ohio, the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant providing physical therapy services via telehealth shall hold a valid license under sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 of the Revised Code.

Replaces: 4755-27-01

Notes

Ohio Admin. Code 4755:2-2-02

Effective: 10/11/2024
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 10/01/2029
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4755.411
Rule Amplifies: 4755.40, 4755.48
Prior Effective Dates: 05/26/1978, 08/14/2000, 05/01/2008, 05/01/2013, 05/15/2019