CA PT Jurisprudence Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the California
Physical Therapy Practice Act?
A. To increase physical therapists’ income
B. To standardize billing procedures
C. To protect the public by ensuring safe and competent physical
therapy practice
D. To promote physical therapy research exclusively
The California Physical Therapy Practice Act exists to protect patients by
setting standards for safe and competent physical therapy practice, rather
than focusing on financial or research goals.
2. A licensed physical therapist in California wishes to supervise a
physical therapist assistant (PTA). Which statement is correct
regarding supervision requirements?
A. PTAs may practice independently without supervision
B. PTAs require direct supervision at all times
C. PTs must provide general supervision while ensuring the PTA is
practicing within their competency
D. PTs may only supervise PTAs with more than five years of
experience
,California law allows PTAs to perform duties under general supervision of a
licensed PT, meaning the PT must be available but not necessarily present
at all times, and must ensure patient safety.
3. Which action constitutes unprofessional conduct for a physical
therapist in California?
A. Maintaining patient confidentiality
B. Engaging in sexual misconduct with a patient
C. Documenting treatment accurately
D. Following infection control protocols
Sexual misconduct with a patient is explicitly defined as unprofessional
conduct under California law and is grounds for disciplinary action.
4. A physical therapist’s license in California is subject to discipline for:
A. Receiving continuing education
B. Participating in professional associations
C. Practicing while impaired due to drugs or alcohol
D. Providing home exercise programs
Practicing under the influence of drugs or alcohol endangers patients and
is grounds for disciplinary action according to California PT regulations.
5. Before a physical therapist in California can treat a patient, they must:
A. Obtain verbal consent only
B. Perform an initial evaluation and obtain informed consent
C. Begin treatment without evaluation if urgent
D. Submit a treatment plan to the state board
Informed consent and an initial evaluation are required to ensure that
patients understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment.
6. A California PT receives a subpoena requesting patient records. Which
action is appropriate?
A. Refuse to provide records under all circumstances
B. Provide records only as allowed by law, maintaining patient
confidentiality
, C. Share records freely with anyone requesting them
D. Post records on the clinic website
Patient records must be protected under HIPAA and California law;
disclosure is only allowed when legally required or with patient consent.
7. How often must a California physical therapist renew their license?
A. Every year
B. Every three years
C. Every two years
D. Every five years
California PT licenses must be renewed every two years, and renewal
requires completion of continuing education hours.
8. Which of the following is required for continuing competence in
California PT practice?
A. Attending one conference per year
B. Completing 30 hours of approved continuing education every two
years
C. Publishing a research article annually
D. Supervising a student weekly
California law requires physical therapists to complete 30 hours of
approved continuing education every two years to maintain competence.
9. A PT in California is asked to delegate a skilled intervention to a PTA
that is beyond the PTA’s training. The PT should:
A. Allow the PTA to perform it
B. Perform the intervention themselves or provide additional
supervision/training
C. Ignore the situation
D. Delegate to a PT student instead
Delegating beyond the PTA’s competency violates the standard of care and
can result in disciplinary action.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the California
Physical Therapy Practice Act?
A. To increase physical therapists’ income
B. To standardize billing procedures
C. To protect the public by ensuring safe and competent physical
therapy practice
D. To promote physical therapy research exclusively
The California Physical Therapy Practice Act exists to protect patients by
setting standards for safe and competent physical therapy practice, rather
than focusing on financial or research goals.
2. A licensed physical therapist in California wishes to supervise a
physical therapist assistant (PTA). Which statement is correct
regarding supervision requirements?
A. PTAs may practice independently without supervision
B. PTAs require direct supervision at all times
C. PTs must provide general supervision while ensuring the PTA is
practicing within their competency
D. PTs may only supervise PTAs with more than five years of
experience
,California law allows PTAs to perform duties under general supervision of a
licensed PT, meaning the PT must be available but not necessarily present
at all times, and must ensure patient safety.
3. Which action constitutes unprofessional conduct for a physical
therapist in California?
A. Maintaining patient confidentiality
B. Engaging in sexual misconduct with a patient
C. Documenting treatment accurately
D. Following infection control protocols
Sexual misconduct with a patient is explicitly defined as unprofessional
conduct under California law and is grounds for disciplinary action.
4. A physical therapist’s license in California is subject to discipline for:
A. Receiving continuing education
B. Participating in professional associations
C. Practicing while impaired due to drugs or alcohol
D. Providing home exercise programs
Practicing under the influence of drugs or alcohol endangers patients and
is grounds for disciplinary action according to California PT regulations.
5. Before a physical therapist in California can treat a patient, they must:
A. Obtain verbal consent only
B. Perform an initial evaluation and obtain informed consent
C. Begin treatment without evaluation if urgent
D. Submit a treatment plan to the state board
Informed consent and an initial evaluation are required to ensure that
patients understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment.
6. A California PT receives a subpoena requesting patient records. Which
action is appropriate?
A. Refuse to provide records under all circumstances
B. Provide records only as allowed by law, maintaining patient
confidentiality
, C. Share records freely with anyone requesting them
D. Post records on the clinic website
Patient records must be protected under HIPAA and California law;
disclosure is only allowed when legally required or with patient consent.
7. How often must a California physical therapist renew their license?
A. Every year
B. Every three years
C. Every two years
D. Every five years
California PT licenses must be renewed every two years, and renewal
requires completion of continuing education hours.
8. Which of the following is required for continuing competence in
California PT practice?
A. Attending one conference per year
B. Completing 30 hours of approved continuing education every two
years
C. Publishing a research article annually
D. Supervising a student weekly
California law requires physical therapists to complete 30 hours of
approved continuing education every two years to maintain competence.
9. A PT in California is asked to delegate a skilled intervention to a PTA
that is beyond the PTA’s training. The PT should:
A. Allow the PTA to perform it
B. Perform the intervention themselves or provide additional
supervision/training
C. Ignore the situation
D. Delegate to a PT student instead
Delegating beyond the PTA’s competency violates the standard of care and
can result in disciplinary action.
