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[Utah Code Table of Contents]
[TITLE 58. Table of Contents]
58-24a-101 Short title.
This chapter is known as the "Physical Therapist Practice
Act."
1991
58-24a-102 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102 , as used in this chapter:
(1) "Board" means the Physical Therapy Licensing Board.
(2) "General supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is available for immediate voice communication with the person being supervised.
(3) "Immediate supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is:
(a) present in the area where the person supervised is performing services; and
(b) immediately available to assist the person being supervised in the services being performed.
(4) "Physical therapist aide" means an individual performing activities related to physical therapy under the immediate supervision of a physical therapist.
(5) "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual who has successfully completed an accredited physical therapy assistant program and who performs activities related to physical therapy under the general supervision of a physical therapist.
(6) "Physical therapy" or "physiotherapy" means the:
(a) treatment of a human being to assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, and pain resulting from disorders, congenital and aging conditions, injury, and disease;
(b) development of a physical therapy plan and the implementation of and modification of the treatment plan; and
(c) the practice described in this Subsection (6) on an animal to the extent permitted by:
(i) Subsection 58-28-8 (12);
(ii) the provisions of this chapter; and
(iii) division rule.
(7) "Unlawful conduct" as defined in Section 58-1-501 includes using in connection with his name or business activities the words "physical therapist," "physiotherapist," "licensed physical therapist," "registered physical therapist," or the letters "P.T.," "L.P.T.," "R.P.T.," or any other words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying directly or indirectly that the person is authorized to practice physical therapy, when the person is not licensed under this chapter.
(8) "Unprofessional conduct" as defined in Section
58-1-501
and as may be further defined by rule includes
failing to provide immediate supervision of a physical therapist
assistant or aide whose activities are the licensee's responsibility
under Section
58-24a-112
.
2001
58-24a-103 Tests performed by physical therapists.
(1) Physical therapists may:
(a) administer, interpret, and evaluate tests;
(b) instruct in the use of physical measures, activities, and devices for preventive and therapeutic purposes; and
(c) provide consulting, educational, and other advisory services for the purpose of reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, and pain.
(2) Physical therapists may perform tests or measurements of the following:
(a) muscle strength, force, endurance, and tone;
(b) cardiovascular fitness and physical work capacity;
(c) joint motion, mobility, and stability;
(d) reflexes and autonomic reactions;
(e) movement skill and accuracy;
(f) sensation and perception, and peripheral nerve integrity;
(g) locomotor skills, stability, and endurance;
(h) activities of daily living;
(i) the fit, function, and comfort of prosthetic, orthotic, and other assistive devices;
(j) posture and body mechanics;
(k) limb length, circumference, and volume;
(l) biofeedback;
(m) thoracic excursion and breathing patterns; and
(n) home and work physical environments.
1991
58-24a-104 Physical agents and physical activities.
Physical therapists may administer:
(1) physical agents, including light, heat, cold, water, air, sound, compression, electricity, and electromagnetic radiation; and
(2) physical activities and devices, including:
(a) exercise with and without devices;
(b) joint mobilization as the division defines by rule;
(c) mechanical stimulation;
(d) postural drainage;
(e) traction;
(f) positioning;
(g) massage;
(h) wound debridement, cleansing, and dressing changes;
(i) splinting;
(j) training in locomotion and other functional activities with and without assistive devices; and
(k) correction of posture, body mechanics, and gait.
1991
58-24a-105 Administration of agents - Limitation.
(1) Physical therapists may administer the following agents under the provisions of Subsection (2):
(a) topically applied medicinal agents, including steroids and analgesics for wound care and for musculoskeletal treatment using iontophoresis or phonorphoresis; and
(b) pharmaceutical aerosols for pulmonary hygiene in an institutional setting in which the services of a licensed respiratory therapist are not available in the institution or within a ten-mile radius of the institution.
(2) The topical application or aerosol administration by a physical therapist of a prescription drug as defined in Section 58-17a-102 may be only upon the written prescription of a practitioner licensed to prescribe that drug.
(3) This section does not authorize a physical therapist
to possess for dispensing or dispense a prescription drug.
1996
58-24a-106 Examinations and evaluations.
Physical therapists may perform examinations and evaluations
to aid in developing a treatment goal upon which a physical
therapy plan is based.
1991
58-24a-107 Prohibitions.
Physical therapists may not perform:
(1) diagnosis of disease;
(2) surgery;
(3) acupuncture; or
(4) x-ray for diagnostic or therapeutic uses.
1991
58-24a-108 Licensing board.
(1) There is created the Physical Therapy Licensing Board consisting of four physical therapists and one member of the general public.
(2) The board shall be appointed and serve in accordance with Section 58-1-201 .
(3) The duties and responsibilities of the board shall
be in accordance with Sections
58-1-202
and
58-1-203
.
1993
58-24a-109 Authority to practice physical therapy - Licensure.
(1) A person may not engage in the practice of physical therapy unless licensed or exempted under this chapter.
(2) The division shall issue a license as a physical therapist to an applicant who:
(a) is of good moral character;
(b) has graduated from an accredited school of physical therapy that is approved by the division in consultation with the board;
(c) has passed an examination approved by the division in consultation with the board; and
(d) applies to the division for licensure and pays the
required fees.
1992
58-24a-110 Exemption from licensure.
In addition to the exemptions from licensure in Section 58-1-307 , the following persons may engage in the practice of physical therapy subject to the state circumstances and limitations without being licensed under this chapter:
(1) a person employed by an agency of the federal government from performing the duties and functions for which he is employed; or
(2) a physical therapy student enrolled in an accredited
physical therapy school from practicing physical therapy
under the immediate supervision of a licensed physical therapist
as part of the training and education included in the curriculum
of the school.
1993
58-24a-111 Term of license - Renewal expiration.
(1) Each license issued under this chapter shall be issued in accordance with a two-year renewal cycle established by rule. A renewal period may be extended or shortened by as much as one year to maintain established renewal cycles or to change an established renewal cycle.
(2) Each license automatically expires on the expiration
date shown on the license unless renewed by the licensee
in accordance with Section
58-1-308
.
1993
58-24a-112 Physical therapist supervisory authority and responsibility.
(1) A physical therapist may not delegate to a person not licensed under this chapter any activity that requires the skill, knowledge, and judgment of a physical therapist.
(2) A physical therapist assistant or aide may perform activities related to physical therapy only when:
(a) the activity is directed and approved by the supervising physical therapist; and
(b) he is under the general supervision of the supervising therapist.
(3) The supervising physical therapist is responsible
for any physical therapy service performed by an assistant
or aide.
1994
58-24a-114 Grounds for denial of license - Disciplinary proceedings.
Grounds for refusal to issue a license to an applicant,
for refusal to renew the license of a licensee, to revoke,
suspend, restrict, or place on probation the license of a
licensee, to issue a public or private reprimand to a licensee,
and to issue cease and desist orders shall be in accordance
with Section
58-1-401
.
1993
