PTBC CALIFORNIA LAW EXAM - THE PHYSICAL THERAPY
PRACTICE ACT GRADED A+ 2026
PART ONE -ANSWER-BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
Article 1: Administration
Members of the Board -ANSWER-1) 1 PT involved in PT education,
2) 3 PTs with 5 years experience,
3) 3 public members who aren't licentiates of the board or any other medical board (CA
citizen, not school faculty)
Priority of the Board -ANSWER-Protection of the public
Licensing, regulating and disciplinary roles
The mission of the Physical Therapy Board of California is to promote and protect the
interests of the people of California by the effective and consistent administration and
enforcement of the Physical Therapy Practice Act.
Terms of Serving on the Board -ANSWER-1) Appointed 4 years, exp. on June 1
2) 1 public and 4 PT members appt'd by governor
3) Senate Rules Committee and speaker of assembly each appoint 1 public
4) Members of the Board elect a president
5) Board may elect an executive officer to exercise the duties required
6) Board may appoint an commissioner on examination -who is suitable qualified but not a
member of the Board but will be subject to the rules and regs and same fees
3) Cannot serve more than 2 consecutive terms
Qualifications of Public Members -ANSWER-- Be a citizen of CA.
- Shall not be an officer or faculty member of any college in PT education.
,- Shall not be a licentiate of the Medical Board of CA
Meetings -ANSWER-1 regular meeting annually in Sacramento, LA or SF or from time to time
till business is complete
Duties of the Members of the Board -ANSWER-1) May inspect PT facilities
2) May review patient charts
3) Can suspend and revoke licenses (notice must be given)
How is this Chapter cited? -ANSWER-This chapter may be cited as the Physical Therapy
Practice Act
Public Employees -ANSWER-PT consultants under contract for the board are considered a
public employee; or clerical or other employees necessary to carry out powers and duties of
Board
Article 2
General Provisions
Definition of Physical Therapy -ANSWER-"art and science of physical or corrective rehab of
any bodily or mental condition of any person by use of physical, chemical or other properties
of heat, light, water, electricity...active, passive and resistive exercise and shall include PT
evals, treatment planning, instruction and consultative services"
ARTICLE 2 General Provisions -ANSWER-- NOT ALLOWED:
- use of roentgen rays/radioactive materials for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
- electricity for surgical purposes is authorized
,- diagnosis of disease not under Physical Therapy
- can apply topical meds if comply with regs and administration act (conferred with Medical
Board of California as to which ones and protocols; but NOT prescribe them
Neuromuscular evaluation -ANSWER-1) Can perform tissue penetration for evaluation neuro
performance
2) Must have authorization from MD/surgeon
3) PT must be certified by the board
4) PT CANNOT develop or make diagnostic or prognostic interpretations of data obtained
(violation of the Medical Practice Act)
Minimal Time that Patient Records must be kept for -ANSWER-7 years.
1) Patient records shall be kept for a period of no less than 7 years following the discharge of
the patient
2) Records of unemancipated minors shall be kept at least 1 year after the minor has
reached 18 years of age.
No less than 7 years in any case
Documentation -ANSWER-- evaluation, goals, treatment plan, summary of treatment
- any actual intervention given
- sign legibly
PTs cannot do what -ANSWER-1) PTs cannot diagnose disease
2) PTs cannot provide prognostic interpretation of data
3) PTs cannot prescribe medicines
4) Perform medicine, surgery or any other healing art
PT Aide
, Duties & Regulations -ANSWER-PT may use 1 aide to assist in PT
1) Patient related - services directly to the patient, excluding non patient related tasks
2) Non patient related tasks :Observation of patient, transport, physical support only during
gait training/transfers, housekeeping duties, clerical duties, and similar functions
- Under direct, continuous and immediate PT supervision at all time. Direction and order
from PT
- no authority for aide to independently perform PT or a PT procedure
- must be same facility and in proximity to PT aide when performing patient related tasks.
- when patient related tasks are performed at some point in that day, PT must provide direct
services to the pt for their condition, or to further evaluate and monitor patient progress
and document in patient's record
Who is allowed to use "P.T."and "D.P.T." -ANSWER-1) Only a licensed PT can use the letters
"P.T."
2) A licensed PT who has received a doctoral degree in PT may use "D.P.T."use unabbreviated
qualification in speaking and writing after using Dr. but must specify it is in PT
3) Can use DPT, PhD or EdD as appropriate with approved doctoral degrees
4) WASC approval for doctoral degree for accreditation
PT Applicant Qualifications -ANSWER-1) Over 18 years old.
2) Successful education and training.
3) Not addicted to drugs/alcohol.
4) No crimes (constituting denial of license).
Examinations required before licensing -ANSWER-1) Laws & regulations to the practice of PT.
2) National Physical Therapy Examination
Requirements for Reciprocity Applicant -ANSWER-Requirements for being issued a license
without a written examination
PRACTICE ACT GRADED A+ 2026
PART ONE -ANSWER-BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
Article 1: Administration
Members of the Board -ANSWER-1) 1 PT involved in PT education,
2) 3 PTs with 5 years experience,
3) 3 public members who aren't licentiates of the board or any other medical board (CA
citizen, not school faculty)
Priority of the Board -ANSWER-Protection of the public
Licensing, regulating and disciplinary roles
The mission of the Physical Therapy Board of California is to promote and protect the
interests of the people of California by the effective and consistent administration and
enforcement of the Physical Therapy Practice Act.
Terms of Serving on the Board -ANSWER-1) Appointed 4 years, exp. on June 1
2) 1 public and 4 PT members appt'd by governor
3) Senate Rules Committee and speaker of assembly each appoint 1 public
4) Members of the Board elect a president
5) Board may elect an executive officer to exercise the duties required
6) Board may appoint an commissioner on examination -who is suitable qualified but not a
member of the Board but will be subject to the rules and regs and same fees
3) Cannot serve more than 2 consecutive terms
Qualifications of Public Members -ANSWER-- Be a citizen of CA.
- Shall not be an officer or faculty member of any college in PT education.
,- Shall not be a licentiate of the Medical Board of CA
Meetings -ANSWER-1 regular meeting annually in Sacramento, LA or SF or from time to time
till business is complete
Duties of the Members of the Board -ANSWER-1) May inspect PT facilities
2) May review patient charts
3) Can suspend and revoke licenses (notice must be given)
How is this Chapter cited? -ANSWER-This chapter may be cited as the Physical Therapy
Practice Act
Public Employees -ANSWER-PT consultants under contract for the board are considered a
public employee; or clerical or other employees necessary to carry out powers and duties of
Board
Article 2
General Provisions
Definition of Physical Therapy -ANSWER-"art and science of physical or corrective rehab of
any bodily or mental condition of any person by use of physical, chemical or other properties
of heat, light, water, electricity...active, passive and resistive exercise and shall include PT
evals, treatment planning, instruction and consultative services"
ARTICLE 2 General Provisions -ANSWER-- NOT ALLOWED:
- use of roentgen rays/radioactive materials for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
- electricity for surgical purposes is authorized
,- diagnosis of disease not under Physical Therapy
- can apply topical meds if comply with regs and administration act (conferred with Medical
Board of California as to which ones and protocols; but NOT prescribe them
Neuromuscular evaluation -ANSWER-1) Can perform tissue penetration for evaluation neuro
performance
2) Must have authorization from MD/surgeon
3) PT must be certified by the board
4) PT CANNOT develop or make diagnostic or prognostic interpretations of data obtained
(violation of the Medical Practice Act)
Minimal Time that Patient Records must be kept for -ANSWER-7 years.
1) Patient records shall be kept for a period of no less than 7 years following the discharge of
the patient
2) Records of unemancipated minors shall be kept at least 1 year after the minor has
reached 18 years of age.
No less than 7 years in any case
Documentation -ANSWER-- evaluation, goals, treatment plan, summary of treatment
- any actual intervention given
- sign legibly
PTs cannot do what -ANSWER-1) PTs cannot diagnose disease
2) PTs cannot provide prognostic interpretation of data
3) PTs cannot prescribe medicines
4) Perform medicine, surgery or any other healing art
PT Aide
, Duties & Regulations -ANSWER-PT may use 1 aide to assist in PT
1) Patient related - services directly to the patient, excluding non patient related tasks
2) Non patient related tasks :Observation of patient, transport, physical support only during
gait training/transfers, housekeeping duties, clerical duties, and similar functions
- Under direct, continuous and immediate PT supervision at all time. Direction and order
from PT
- no authority for aide to independently perform PT or a PT procedure
- must be same facility and in proximity to PT aide when performing patient related tasks.
- when patient related tasks are performed at some point in that day, PT must provide direct
services to the pt for their condition, or to further evaluate and monitor patient progress
and document in patient's record
Who is allowed to use "P.T."and "D.P.T." -ANSWER-1) Only a licensed PT can use the letters
"P.T."
2) A licensed PT who has received a doctoral degree in PT may use "D.P.T."use unabbreviated
qualification in speaking and writing after using Dr. but must specify it is in PT
3) Can use DPT, PhD or EdD as appropriate with approved doctoral degrees
4) WASC approval for doctoral degree for accreditation
PT Applicant Qualifications -ANSWER-1) Over 18 years old.
2) Successful education and training.
3) Not addicted to drugs/alcohol.
4) No crimes (constituting denial of license).
Examinations required before licensing -ANSWER-1) Laws & regulations to the practice of PT.
2) National Physical Therapy Examination
Requirements for Reciprocity Applicant -ANSWER-Requirements for being issued a license
without a written examination
