Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 17 - PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESSES (§§ 17-1-101 — 17-107-311) › Subtitle 3 - MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (§§ 17-80-101 — 17-107-311) › Chapter 93 - PHYSICAL THERAPISTS (§§ 17-93-101 — 17-93-505) › Subchapter 3 - LICENSING (§§ 17-93-301 — 17-93-314) › Section 17-93-301 - License required - Exceptions

(a)
(1)
Unless physical therapy services are provided by or under the direction of a person licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy under this chapter, it is unlawful for a person to:
(A)
Practice physical therapy;
(B)
Profess to be a physical therapist, physiotherapist, or physical therapy technician; or
(C)
Use:
(i)
The words "physical therapy", "physical therapist", "physiotherapist", "registered physical therapist", or "doctor of physical therapy";
(ii)
The initials "P.T.", "D.P.T.", "L.P.T.", or "R.P.T."; or
(iii)
Other letters, words, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying that the person is providing physical therapy services.
(2)
A person or entity shall not advertise or otherwise promote a person as being a physical therapist or physiotherapist unless the person being advertised or promoted is licensed under this chapter.
(3)
A person or entity that offers, provides, or bills an individual for services shall not characterize the services provided as physical therapy unless the person performing the services is licensed as a physical therapist under this chapter.
(b)
A person shall not use the title "physical therapist assistant", the letters "P.T.A", or any other words, abbreviations, or insignia in connection with the person's name to indicate or imply that the person is a physical therapist assistant unless the person is licensed as a physical therapist assistant under this chapter.
(c)
The following persons are exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter when engaged in the following activities:
(1)
A person in an entry-level professional education program approved by the board who is:
(A)
Satisfying supervised clinical education requirements related to the person's physical therapist education; and
(B)
Under onsite supervision of a licensed physical therapist;
(2)
A physical therapist who is practicing in the United States Armed Forces, United States Public Health Service, or United States Department of Veterans Administration under federal regulations for state licensure of healthcare professionals;
(3)
A physical therapist who is licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States or credentialed to practice physical therapy in another country if the physical therapist is:
(A)
Teaching, demonstrating, or providing physical therapy services in connection with teaching; or
(B)
Participating in an education seminar of no more than sixty (60) days in a calendar year;
(4)
A physical therapist who is licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States if the physical therapist is providing consultation by means of telecommunication to a physical therapist licensed by the board under this chapter;
(5)
A physical therapist who is licensed in a jurisdiction of the United States or credentialed in another country, if the physical therapist is providing physical therapy by contract or employment to individuals affiliated with or employed by an established athletic team, athletic organization, or performing arts company that is temporarily practicing, competing, or performing in the state for no more than sixty (60) days in a calendar year;
(6)
(A)
A physical therapist who is licensed in a jurisdiction of the United States and who enters this state to provide physical therapy during a declared local, state, or national disaster or emergency.
(B)
The exemption under subdivision (c)(6)(A) of this section is applicable for only sixty (60) days following the declaration of the disaster or emergency.
(C)
In order to be eligible for this exemption, the physical therapist shall notify the board of his or her intent to practice physical therapy in this state under subdivision (c)(6)(A) of this section;
(7)
(A)
A physical therapist licensed in a jurisdiction of the United States who seeks to practice physical therapy in this state because he or she is forced to leave his or her residence or place of employment due to a declared local, state, or national disaster or emergency.
(B)
The exemption under subdivision (c)(7)(A) of this section is applicable for only sixty (60) days following the declaration of the disaster or emergency.
(C)
In order to be eligible for this exemption, the physical therapist shall notify the board of his or her intent to practice physical therapy in this state under subdivision (c)(7)(A) of this section;
(8)
A physical therapist assistant who is licensed in a jurisdiction of the United States and is assisting a physical therapist engaged in physical therapy services under the exemption in subdivisions (c)(2), (c)(3), (c)(5), (c)(6), and (c)(7) of this section; and
(9)
A physical therapist providing services through a program in partnership with federal Innovative Readiness Training if the physical therapist has obtained a license to practice from another state, commonwealth, territory, or the District of Columbia.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 205,§ 6, eff. 8/1/2017.
Acts 1959, No. 141, § 14; 1979, No. 631, § 9; A.S.A. 1947, § 72-1330; Acts 2001, No. 1412, § 4; 2009, No. 1471, § 4.