PTBC CALIFORNIA LAW EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Physical Therapy Practice Act
Physiotherapy Corporation Regulations
Licensing and Examination Requirements
Patient Care and Supervision Standards
Disciplinary Actions and Citations
Continuing Competency Requirements
Mandatory Reporting Penalties
Professional Ethics and Lawful Advertising
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in the legal and
ethical frameworks governing the practice of physical therapy in the State of California.
This examination covers the administrative regulations and statutes found within the
Physical Therapy Practice Act and the California Code of Regulations. The assessment
utilizes a blend of multiple-choice and complex scenario-based questions to measure
technical knowledge and professional judgment. Candidates are tested on their ability to
apply regulatory standards to real-world clinical environments, ensuring public safety
and professional integrity. The focus remains on informed decision-making, supervision
limits, and the legal obligations of the licensee.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
, 1. Which entity is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the
Physical Therapy Practice Act in California?
A. The American Physical Therapy Association
B. The Medical Board of California
C. The Physical Therapy Board of California
D. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
🟢 C. The Physical Therapy Board of California
🔴 RATIONALE: The Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) is the state agency
mandated to regulate the profession, issue licenses, and enforce the Practice Act to
protect the public.
2. A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is treating a patient in an outpatient clinic.
The supervising physical therapist is located at a different facility five miles away
but is available by telephone. Is this supervision adequate?
A. No, the therapist must be in the same room.
B. Yes, as long as the therapist is reachable by telephone.
C. No, the therapist must be in the same facility.
D. Yes, but only if the patient is stable.
🟢 B. Yes, as long as the therapist is reachable by telephone.
🔴 RATIONALE: Under California law, the supervising physical therapist does not need
to be physically present in the same facility as the PTA, provided they are available by
communication (telephone/electronic) at all times.
, 3. What is the maximum number of physical therapist assistants a physical therapist
can supervise at one time without board approval?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
🟢 B. Two
🔴 RATIONALE: A physical therapist is generally restricted to supervising no more than
two PTAs at any given time, unless the Board determines that increased supervision
will not compromise safety.
4. A licensed physical therapist’s address changes. Within how many days must the
licensee notify the Board of the change?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
🟢 B. 30 days
🔴 RATIONALE: Licensees are legally required to report a change of residence or
mailing address to the PTBC within 30 days of the change.
5. Which of the following is considered a "Physical Therapist Student" according to
California regulations?
, A. An individual in the final year of an unaccredited program.
B. A graduate awaiting exam results.
C. A person currently enrolled in an accredited PT program performing clinical
clerkship.
D. A foreign-trained therapist completing clinical service.
🟢 C. A person currently enrolled in an accredited PT program performing clinical
clerkship.
🔴 RATIONALE: A "student" is strictly defined as someone currently enrolled in an
accredited program performing clinical work as part of their education.
6. If a physical therapist is charged with a felony, within what timeframe must they
report this to the Board?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. At the time of license renewal
🟢 B. 30 days
🔴 RATIONALE: Statutory requirements dictate that any indictment or conviction of a
felony or misdemeanor must be reported to the Board within 30 days.
7. What is the required duration for keeping patient records following the discharge
of an adult patient?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Physical Therapy Practice Act
Physiotherapy Corporation Regulations
Licensing and Examination Requirements
Patient Care and Supervision Standards
Disciplinary Actions and Citations
Continuing Competency Requirements
Mandatory Reporting Penalties
Professional Ethics and Lawful Advertising
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in the legal and
ethical frameworks governing the practice of physical therapy in the State of California.
This examination covers the administrative regulations and statutes found within the
Physical Therapy Practice Act and the California Code of Regulations. The assessment
utilizes a blend of multiple-choice and complex scenario-based questions to measure
technical knowledge and professional judgment. Candidates are tested on their ability to
apply regulatory standards to real-world clinical environments, ensuring public safety
and professional integrity. The focus remains on informed decision-making, supervision
limits, and the legal obligations of the licensee.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
, 1. Which entity is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the
Physical Therapy Practice Act in California?
A. The American Physical Therapy Association
B. The Medical Board of California
C. The Physical Therapy Board of California
D. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
🟢 C. The Physical Therapy Board of California
🔴 RATIONALE: The Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) is the state agency
mandated to regulate the profession, issue licenses, and enforce the Practice Act to
protect the public.
2. A physical therapist assistant (PTA) is treating a patient in an outpatient clinic.
The supervising physical therapist is located at a different facility five miles away
but is available by telephone. Is this supervision adequate?
A. No, the therapist must be in the same room.
B. Yes, as long as the therapist is reachable by telephone.
C. No, the therapist must be in the same facility.
D. Yes, but only if the patient is stable.
🟢 B. Yes, as long as the therapist is reachable by telephone.
🔴 RATIONALE: Under California law, the supervising physical therapist does not need
to be physically present in the same facility as the PTA, provided they are available by
communication (telephone/electronic) at all times.
, 3. What is the maximum number of physical therapist assistants a physical therapist
can supervise at one time without board approval?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
🟢 B. Two
🔴 RATIONALE: A physical therapist is generally restricted to supervising no more than
two PTAs at any given time, unless the Board determines that increased supervision
will not compromise safety.
4. A licensed physical therapist’s address changes. Within how many days must the
licensee notify the Board of the change?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
🟢 B. 30 days
🔴 RATIONALE: Licensees are legally required to report a change of residence or
mailing address to the PTBC within 30 days of the change.
5. Which of the following is considered a "Physical Therapist Student" according to
California regulations?
, A. An individual in the final year of an unaccredited program.
B. A graduate awaiting exam results.
C. A person currently enrolled in an accredited PT program performing clinical
clerkship.
D. A foreign-trained therapist completing clinical service.
🟢 C. A person currently enrolled in an accredited PT program performing clinical
clerkship.
🔴 RATIONALE: A "student" is strictly defined as someone currently enrolled in an
accredited program performing clinical work as part of their education.
6. If a physical therapist is charged with a felony, within what timeframe must they
report this to the Board?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. At the time of license renewal
🟢 B. 30 days
🔴 RATIONALE: Statutory requirements dictate that any indictment or conviction of a
felony or misdemeanor must be reported to the Board within 30 days.
7. What is the required duration for keeping patient records following the discharge
of an adult patient?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
