Tex.
Occ. Code Section 453.301
Practice by Physical Therapist
(a)
A physical therapist may treat a patient for an injury or condition in a manner described by Section 453.005 (Practice of Physical Therapy) without a referral if the physical therapist:(1)
has been licensed to practice physical therapy for at least one year;(2)
is covered by professional liability insurance in the minimum amount required by board rule; and(3)
either:(A)
possesses a doctoral degree in physical therapy from:(i)
a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education; or(ii)
an institution that is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the United States secretary of education; or(B)
has completed at least 30 hours of continuing competence activities in the area of differential diagnosis.(a-1)
Except as provided by Subsection (a-2), a physical therapist may treat a patient under Subsection (a) for not more than 10 consecutive business days.(a-2)
A physical therapist may treat a patient under Subsection (a) for not more than 15 consecutive business days if the physical therapist:(1)
possesses a doctoral degree described by Subsection (a)(3)(A); and(2)
either:(A)
has completed a residency or fellowship; or(B)
is certified by an entity approved by the board.(b)
The physical therapist must obtain a referral from a referring practitioner before the physical therapist may continue treatment that exceeds treatment authorized under Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable.(c)
A physical therapist who treats a patient without a referral shall obtain from the patient a signed disclosure on a form prescribed by the board in which the patient acknowledges that:(1)
physical therapy is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis by a physician;(2)
physical therapy is not based on radiological imaging;(3)
a physical therapist cannot diagnose an illness or disease; and(4)
the patient’s health insurance may not include coverage for the physical therapist’s services.
Source:
Section 453.301 — Practice by Physical Therapist, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/OC/htm/OC.453.htm#453.301 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).
