Section 2630.

It is unlawful for any person or persons to practice, or offer to practice, physical therapy in this state for compensation received or expected, or to hold himself or herself out as a physical therapist, unless at the time of so doing the person holds a valid, unexpired, and unrevoked license issued under this chapter.

Nothing in this section shall restrict the activities authorized by their licenses on the part of any persons licensed under this code or any initiative act, or the activities authorized to be performed pursuant to Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 2655) or Chapter 7.7 (commencing with Section 3500).

A physical therapist licensed pursuant to this chapter may utilize the services of one aide engaged in patient-related tasks to assist the physical therapist in his or her practice of physical therapy. "Patient-related task" means a physical therapy service rendered directly to the patient by an aide, excluding non-patient-related tasks. "Non-patient-related task" means a task related to observation of the patient, transport of the patient, physical support only during gait or transfer training, housekeeping duties, clerical duties, and similar functions. The aide shall at all times be under the orders, direction, and immediate supervision of the physical therapist. Nothing in this section shall authorize an aide to independently perform physical therapy or any physical therapy procedure. The board shall adopt regulations that set forth the standards and requirements for the orders, direction, and immediate supervision of an aide by a physical therapist. The physical therapist shall provide continuous and immediate supervision of the aide. The physical therapist shall be in the same facility as, and in proximity to, the location where the aide is performing patient-related tasks, and shall be readily available at all times to provide advice or instruction to the aide. When patient-related tasks are provided to a patient by an aide, the supervising physical therapist shall, at some point during the treatment day, provide direct service to the patient as treatment for the patient's condition, or to further evaluate and monitor the patient's progress, and shall correspondingly document the patient's record.

The administration of massage, external baths, or normal exercise not a part of a physical therapy treatment shall not be prohibited by this section.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 829, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 1997.)