TITLE 54

PROFESSIONS, VOCATIONS, AND BUSINESSES

CHAPTER 22

PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

54-2203.  Definitions. As used in this chapter:

(1)  "Applicant" means a person applying for a license or permit under this chapter.

(2)  "Board" means the Idaho physical therapy licensure board.

(3)  "Department" means the department of self-governing agencies.

(4)  "Division" means the division of occupational and professional licenses.

(5)  "Dry needling" means a skilled intervention performed by a physical therapist that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying neural, muscular and connective tissues for the evaluation and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain and movement impairments.

(6)  "License" means a document issued by the board to a person under this chapter authorizing the person to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

(7)  "Physical therapist" means a person licensed under the provisions of this chapter to engage in the practice of physical therapy.

(8)  "Physical therapist assistant" means a person who meets the requirements of this chapter and who performs physical therapy procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated only by a supervising physical therapist.

(9)  "Physical therapy" means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

(10) "Practice of physical therapy" means the exercise of the profession of physical therapy by a person who engages in the following health care activities:

(a)  Examining, evaluating and testing individuals with mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations, and disability or other health and movement-related conditions in order to determine a diagnosis for physical therapy and prognosis for physical therapy, plan of therapeutic intervention, and to assess the ongoing effects of intervention;

(b)  Alleviating impairments and functional limitations by designing, implementing and modifying therapeutic interventions that include, but are not limited to: therapeutic exercise; functional mobility training in self-care and in-home, community or work reintegration; manual therapy; assistive, adaptive, protective and supportive devices and equipment; bronchopulmonary hygiene; debridement and wound care; physical agents or modalities; mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities; and patient-related instruction; and to reduce the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and quality of life in all age populations. The practice of physical therapy shall not include the use of radiology, surgery or medical diagnosis of disease; and

(c)  Engaging in administration, consultation, testing, education and research as related to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection.

(11) "Supportive personnel" means a person or persons trained under the direction of a physical therapist who performs designated and supervised routine physical therapy tasks.

History:

[54-2203, added 2001, ch. 197, sec. 2, p. 667; am. 2005, ch. 185, sec. 1, p. 568; am. 2006, ch. 116, sec. 1, p. 315; am. 2018, ch. 204, sec. 2, p. 455; am. 2022, ch. 94, sec. 28, p. 301.]