2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 12 - PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS (§§ 12-1-101 — 12-315-310) › HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS (§§ 12-170-101 — 12-315-310) › Article 285 - PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS (§§ 12-285-101 — 12-285-220) › Part 1 - PHYSICAL THERAPISTS (§§ 12-285-101 — 12-285-132) › Section 12-285-104 - [Effective 8/7/2024] Definitions

As used in this article 285, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
"Accredited physical therapy program" means a program of instruction in physical therapy that is accredited as set forth in section
12-285-110 (1)(a)(I)
.
(2)
"Adverse action" means disciplinary action taken by the board based upon misconduct, unacceptable performance, or a combination of both, and includes any action taken pursuant to the following:
(a)
Section
12-285-122
, except for any action taken pursuant to subsection (4) of that section;
(b)
Section
12-285-129
;
(c)
Section
12-285-130
;
(d)
Section
12-285-212
, except for any action taken pursuant to subsection (4) of that section;
(e)
Section
12-285-218
; and
(f)
Section
12-285-219
.
(3)
"Board" means the state physical therapy board created in section
12-285-105
.
(4)
"Physical therapist" means a person who is licensed to practice physical therapy. The term "physiotherapist" is synonymous with the term "physical therapist".
(5)
"Physical therapist assistant" means a person who is required to be certified under part 2 of this article 285 and who assists a physical therapist in selected components of physical therapy.
(6)
(a)
(I)
"Physical therapy" means the examination, physical therapy diagnosis, treatment, or instruction of patients and clients to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, or limit physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, or pain from injury, disease, and other bodily conditions.
(II)
For purposes of this article 285, "physical therapy" includes:
(A)
The administration, evaluation, and interpretation of tests and measurements of bodily functions and structures;
(B)
The planning, administration, evaluation, and modification of treatment and instruction;
(C)
The use of physical agents, measures, activities, and devices for preventive and therapeutic purposes, subject to the requirements of section
12-285-116
;
(D)
The administration of topical and aerosol medications consistent with the scope of physical therapy practice subject to the requirements of section
12-285-116
;
(E)
The provision of consultative, educational, and other advisory services for the purpose of reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, and pain;
(F)
General wound care and wound debridement, including the assessment and management of skin lesions, surgical incisions, open wounds, and areas of potential skin breakdown in order to maintain or restore the integumentary system. Wound debridement includes sharp debridement and nonsharp debridement, such as mechanical, autolytic, enzymatic, and maggot.
(G)
The authorization to directly recommend and prescribe durable medical equipment to patients without requesting a prescription from a licensed physician.
(H)
Ongoing review, integration, and understanding of a patient's or client's prescription and nonprescription medication regimen, with consideration of its impact on health, function, movement, and disability.
(b)
For the purposes of subsection (6)(a)(II) of this section:
(I)
"Physical agents" includes, but is not limited to, heat, cold, water, air, sound, light, compression, electricity, and electromagnetic energy.
(II)
(A)
"Physical measures, activities, and devices" includes resistive, active, and passive exercise, with or without devices; joint mobilization; mechanical stimulation; biofeedback; dry needling; postural drainage; traction; positioning; massage; splinting; training in locomotion; other functional activities, with or without assistive devices; and correction of posture, body mechanics, and gait.
(B)
"Biofeedback", as used in this subsection (6)(b)(II), means the use of monitoring instruments by a physical therapist to detect and amplify internal physiological processes for the purpose of neuromuscular rehabilitation.
(III)
"Tests and measurements" means standard methods and techniques used to obtain data about the patient or client, including diagnostic imaging and electrodiagnostic and electrophysiological tests and measures.
(7)
"Physical therapy compact commission" means the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the "Interstate Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act", and as enacted in this state in part 37 of article
60
of title
24
.
Amended by 2024 Ch. 421,§ 5, eff. 8/7/2024.
Amended by 2024 Ch. 421,§ 1, eff. 8/7/2024.
Amended by 2022 Ch. 469, § 135, eff. 8/10/2022.
Renumbered from C.R.S. §
12-41-103
and amended by 2019 Ch. 136, § 1, eff. 10/1/2019.
Amended by 2018 Ch. 315, § 5, eff. 9/1/2018.
Amended by 2017 Ch. 200, § 2, eff. 5/10/2017.
L. 91: Entire article R&RE, p. 1644, § 1, effective July 1. L. 94: (4) repealed, p. 28, § 1, effective March 9. L. 2007: (6)(a)(I) amended, p. 561, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2011: (1.5), (5.5), and (6)(a)(II)(F) added, (SB 11-169), ch. 172, p. 610, §§ 4, 5, effective July 1. L. 2017: IP amended and (1.3) and (7) added, (HB 17-1057), ch. 200, p. 742, § 2, effective May 10. L. 2018: (6)(a)(I), IP(6)(b), and (6)(b)(II)(A) amended, (HB 18-1155), ch. 315, p. 1898, § 5, effective September 1.
This section is similar to former § 12-41-103 as it existed prior to 2019.
2024 Ch. 421, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
2024 Ch. 421, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
2022 Ch. 469, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.