Board - The Alabama Board of Physical Therapy.

Commission - The Physical Therapy Compact Commission, the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the interstate compact.

Compact Privilege - The authorization granted by a remote state to allow a licensee from another state to practice as a PT or work as a PTA in the remote state under its laws and rules. The practice of physical therapy occurs in the state where the patient/client is located at the time of the patient/client encounter.

Compact Privilege Holder - An individual licensed as a PT or PTA in a compact state who has been granted a compact privilege by the commission.

Diagnosis for Physical Therapy - The identification of functional limitations and/or impairments and/or disabilities which are used to guide physical therapy treatments. It is not a medical diagnosis or the identification of a disease.

Direction - The action of the PT in delegating duties to a PTA, maintaining close communication with the PTA, and overseeing the PTA’s activities on a frequent regularly scheduled basis.

Foreign Educated Physical Therapist - A person trained or educated in the practice of physical therapy outside of the United States or any of its territorial possessions.

Impaired - The inability of a licensed PT to practice physical therapy with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness, inebriation, excessive use of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, chemicals, or other substances, or as a result of any physical or mental condition.

Physical Therapy - The treatment of a human being by the use of exercise, massage, heat, cold, water, radiant energy, electricity, or sound for the purpose of correcting or alleviating any physical or mental condition or preventing the development of any physical or mental disability, or the performance of neuromuscular-skeletal tests and measurements to determine the existence and extent of body malfunction; provided, that physical therapy shall be practiced only upon the referral of a physician licensed to practice medicine or surgery, a dentist licensed to practice dentistry, a licensed chiropractor, a licensed assistant to a physician acting pursuant to a valid supervisory agreement, or a licensed certified registered nurse practitioner in a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician. Physical therapy does not include radiology or electrosurgery.

Physical Therapist - A person who practices physical therapy.

Physical Therapy Licensee - A PT or PTA who is licensed in Alabama.

Physiotherapist - Synonymous with the term "physical therapist," and the term shall be used to identify only those persons licensed under this article. The physical therapist may use the letters "P.T." or "R.P.T." in connection with his or her name or place of business to denote his or her registration hereunder.

Physical Therapy Assistant - A person who assists in the practice of physical therapy and whose activities require an understanding of physical therapy but do not require professional or advanced training in the anatomical, biological, and physical sciences involved in the practice of physical therapy. The PTA shall practice only under the direction of a licensed PT.

Physical Therapy Aide - A person trained under the direction of a PT who performs designated and supervised routine tasks related to physical therapy services.

Restricted License - For a PT, a license on which the board has placed restrictions or conditions, or both, as to the scope of practice, place of practice, supervision of practice, duration of licensed status, or type or condition of patient to whom the PT may provide services.

Supervision - Direct onsite overseeing of the performance of assigned or delegated duties or functions.

Unbecoming Conduct- Incompetent, illegal, unethical, unprofessional, or dishonorable conduct which violates those standards which have become accepted as obligations reasonably necessary for the protection of the public interest and for professional accountability.

Reference

Ala. Code § 34-24-191

Ala. Admin. Code § 700-X-3-.02