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APTA is the definitive source for standards of ethics and professionalism in the physical therapy profession.
PTs and PTAs demonstrate ethics and professionalism by living their core values and working to achieve optimal health and wellness.
The standards for ethics and professionalism are established by the following:
- Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist
- Standards of Ethical Conduct for the PTA
- Values-Based Behaviors for the PTA
Recommended Content
Jul 31, 2020 / Article
Access considerations, guidelines, tools and resources to help you with general clinical decision-making in physical therapist practice.
Sep 1, 2019 / Article
The core values guide the behaviors of PTs and PTAs to provide the highest quality of services.
Sep 1, 2017 / Resource
This document provides information on how to comply with the relevant laws and regulations by identifying risk areas that could lead to potential liability.
Jun 1, 2012 / Resource
This guide is intended to serve PTs in interpreting the Code of Ethics.
Jun 1, 2012 / Resource
This guide is intended to serve PTAs in interpreting the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant.
Additional Ethics and Professionalism Content
Aug 1, 2019 / Article
PTs and PTAs practice in an environment that requires compliance with health care laws, rules, and regulations.
Aug 3, 2020 / Article
APTA is among the medical specialty societies to join the Choosing Wisely® Campaign in creating transparencies between health care providers and patients.
Sep 21, 2020 / Article
Review and understand the key terms of health care fraud, abuse, and waste to prevent and mitigate risks in your practice.
Jul 27, 2020 / Column
Accepting reassignment during a pandemic may make economic sense, but there’s much more to consider.
Jul 31, 2020 / Article
These five federal fraud and abuse laws are important for physical therapists to know.
Feb 5, 2020 / Article
Learn what every physical therapy student should know about the health care landscape, payment, ethical practice, as well as advice on documentation, and ethical decision-making.