Bill > AB2497

This bill updates the Physical Therapy Practice Act by redefining key terms like "physical therapy," "physical therapist," and "physical therapist assistant" to better reflect the profession's scope. It clarifies that only licensed physical therapists can provide physical therapy services and introduces new provisions allowing them to perform tissue penetration using needle techniques for evaluation and treatment of the neuromusculoskeletal system, as well as to perform and interpret musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging. The bill also increases the number of physical therapist assistants a physical therapist can supervise from two to three and requires physical therapists to refer patients to other healthcare providers when a condition is beyond their expertise. Additionally, it mandates the Physical Therapy Board of California to collaborate with the Office of Professional Examination Services to analyze and align occupational tasks with educational standards and licensing exams, and it removes the previous requirement for the board to define doctoral degrees in related health sciences, instead deferring to board regulations.