SECTIONS 2620-2622 - California Statutes

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE

SECTION 2620-2622

2620. (a) Physical therapy means the art and science of physical or
corrective rehabilitation or of physical or corrective treatment of
any bodily or mental condition of any person by the use of the
physical, chemical, and other properties of heat, light, water,
electricity, sound, massage, and active, passive, and resistive
exercise, and shall include physical therapy evaluation, treatment
planning, instruction and consultative services. The practice of
physical therapy includes the promotion and maintenance of physical
fitness to enhance the bodily movement related health and wellness of
individuals through the use of physical therapy interventions. The
use of roentgen rays and radioactive materials, for diagnostic and
therapeutic purposes, and the use of electricity for surgical
purposes, including cauterization, are not authorized under the term
"physical therapy" as used in this chapter, and a license issued
pursuant to this chapter does not authorize the diagnosis of disease.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or
prohibit other healing arts practitioners licensed or registered
under this division from practice within the scope of their license
or registration.

2620.3. A physical therapist licensed pursuant to this chapter may
apply topical medications as part of the practice of physical therapy
as defined in Section 2620 if he or she complies with regulations
duly adopted by the board pursuant to this section and the
Administrative Procedure Act. The board shall adopt regulations
implementing this section after meeting and conferring with the
Medical Board of California and the California State Board of
Pharmacy specifying those topical medications applicable to the
practice of physical therapy and protocols for their use. Nothing in
this section shall be construed to authorize a physical therapist to
prescribe medications.

2620.5. A physical therapist may, upon specified authorization of a
physician and surgeon, perform tissue penetration for the purpose of
evaluating neuromuscular performance as a part of the practice of
physical therapy, as defined in Section 2620, provided the physical
therapist is certified by the board to perform the tissue penetration
and evaluation and provided the physical therapist does not develop
or make diagnostic or prognostic interpretations of the data
obtained. Any physical therapist who develops or makes a diagnostic
or prognostic interpretation of this data is in violation of the
Medical Practice Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of
Division 2), and may be subject to all of the sanctions and penalties
set forth in that act.
The board, after meeting and conferring with the Division of
Licensing of the Medical Board of California, shall do all of the
following:
(a) Adopt standards and procedures for tissue penetration for the
purpose of evaluating neuromuscular performance by certified physical
therapists.
(b) Establish standards for physical therapists to perform tissue
penetration for the purpose of evaluating neuromuscular performance.
(c) Certify physical therapists meeting standards established by
the board pursuant to this section.

2620.7. (a) A physical therapist shall document his or her
evaluation, goals, treatment plan, and summary of treatment in the
patient record.
(b) A physical therapist shall document the care actually provided
to a patient in the patient record.
(c) A physical therapist shall sign the patient record legibly.
(d) Patient records shall be maintained for a period of no less
than seven years following the discharge of the patient, except that
the records of unemancipated minors shall be maintained at least one
year after the minor has reached the age of 18 years, and not in any
case less than seven years.

2621. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing a
physical therapist to practice medicine, surgery, or any other form
of healing except as authorized by Section 2620.

2622. "Physical therapist" and "physical therapist technician" mean
a person who is licensed pursuant to this chapter to practice
physical therapy. For purposes of this chapter, the term "physical
therapy" and "physiotherapy" shall be deemed identical and
interchangeable.