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The scope of practice for physical therapists is dynamic, evolving with evidence, education, and societal needs.
The scope of practice for physical therapists has three components: professional, jurisdictional, and personal.
The professional scope of practice is grounded in the profession’s unique body of knowledge, supported by educational preparation, based on a body of evidence, and linked to existing or emerging practice frameworks.
The jurisdictional (i.e. legal) scope of practice is established by a state's practice act governing the specific physical therapist’s license, and the rules adopted pursuant to that act.
Personal scope of practice consists of activities for which an individual physical therapist is educated and trained, and that he or she is competent to perform.
Recommended Content
Jun 1, 2016 / Website
The Guide is the description of physical therapist practice for use by PT and PTA educators, students, and clinicians.
Sep 13, 2017 / Policies & Bylaws
House position: An individual physical therapist’s scope of practice is influenced by professional, jurisdictional, and personal scopes of practice.
Additional Scope of Practice Content
Oct 1, 2019 / Feature
PTs and PTAs have much to offer patients and health care teams before, during, and after disasters. Part of the challenge, however, is educating other providers about those benefits.
Aug 23, 2019 / Article
Physical therapist Jaclyn Marie Arrow, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy, discusses her session, He Said, She Said: How Personality and Communication Can Improve Patient Education.
Jul 19, 2019 / Article
Jaclyn Marie Arrow, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy, discusses her session “He Said, She Said: How Personality and Communication Can Improve Patient Education” at APTA’s NEXT 2019 in Chicago.
Feb 25, 2019 / Article
Paul Caudillo, PT, DPT, is a veteran who finds that his rallying motto still resonates.
Jul 7, 2017 / Article
Listen to a discussion interview held at NEXT 2017 in Boston on general leadership experience and guidance.