PTBC California Law Exam - The Physical
Therapy Practice Act
Public Employees - Ans>>>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 - Ans>>>"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 - Ans>>>- 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 - Ans>>>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 -
Ans>>>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 - Ans>>>- evaluation, goals, treatment
plan, summary of treatment
- any actual intervention given
- sign legibly
PTs cannot do what - Ans>>>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 - Ans>>>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." - Ans>>>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
Therapy Practice Act
Public Employees - Ans>>>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 - Ans>>>"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 - Ans>>>- 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 - Ans>>>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 -
Ans>>>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 - Ans>>>- evaluation, goals, treatment
plan, summary of treatment
- any actual intervention given
- sign legibly
PTs cannot do what - Ans>>>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 - Ans>>>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." - Ans>>>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
