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APTA is the definitive source for standards of ethics and professionalism in the physical therapy profession.
The standards for ethics in physical therapy are established by the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession. It is effective Jan. 1, 2026.
If you believe that a physical therapist or physical therapist member of APTA has violated the association's ethical standards, you may file a complaint to APTA's Ethics and Judicial Committee. Please refer to the Disciplinary Action Procedural .
Complaints filed after Jan. 1, 2026, but arising from conduct that occurred under the authority of the previous Code of Ethics, may be adjudicated under the previous Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the PTA. Other ethics documents include:
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In this episode, ethics experts discuss the development of the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2026.