PTP Jurisprudence Florida Q/A Latest Update
with Verified Solutions
What is the legislative purpose of laws pertaining to the practice of physical therapy?
Keep the public safe and to set minimum standards.
What is the definition of unlicensed personnel? What type of personnel are athletic trainers, massage
therapists and/or exercise physiologist based on this definition? What type of supervision is required
for unlicensed personnel?
Unlicensed personnel, any individual working or volunteering in the setting who doesn't have a
license as a PT or a PTA. Exercise physiologist, athletic trainers, and massage therapist. Direct
supervision is required for the physical therapy setting for unlicensed personnel.
How are general supervision and direct supervision defined? Is there any other term used for these
types of supervision?
General supervision: available by two-way communication and in the same geographic location
Direct supervision: physically present and immediately available
Who may delegate, direct, or supervise the PTA or unlicensed support personnel in the physical
therapy setting? What types of activities may be delegated? How do these requirements differ
between the in-patient and out-patient setting?
The physical therapist can supervise the PTA in a physical therapy setting. The PT can decide what to
delegate but has to be within the scope of practice of the PT and the PTA. Cannot do evaluations but
can-do examinations for progress. Can't determine POC or goals. Inpatient: PTA would require direct
supervision from the PT and in outpatient: can have general supervision from the PT as long as the
patient is not in the acute phase of injury or illness. PTA can provide direct supervision to unlicensed
personnel in outpatient when patient is not in acute stage.
What patient-related duties can a PTA perform under the direction of a PT? Under what specific
circumstances is direct supervision of the PTA not required?
Anything that the PT feels is appropriate and is within the scope of practice. Cannot delegate the PTA
to do something that they're not qualified to do. Direct supervision is not required when the patient is
not in the acute phase of treatment. PTA can be employed by other health care practitioners.
Example a chiropractor but still have to have a PT on contract to provide direct supervision.
What type of supervision is required for physical therapy students? Who may supervise the PT
student?
PT students in the clinic are unlicensed personal, so they would need direct supervision. A licensed PT
can supervise PT students or PTA students. PTA can only supervise PTA students. PTA can't do PT
because its higher than they're realm of skills and knowledge.
How long can a patient be treated without a referral? What conditions may be treated? What is
necessary for treatment to continue? What specific healthcare team members can be a practitioner of
record?
Direct access- don't have to go to another doctor first (can be treated for 30 days), Something that
has not be previously treated or diagnoses from a prior physician or doctor. If it is a known issue that
another medical professional has been treated on before then you have to have a referral from a
doctor. A MD, DO, DC, DPM, DDS, DDM, ARNP (can refer a patient to us but has to be within scope of
practice) Ex. TMJ from dentist, not shoulder. PA if its cosigned by the doctor.
with Verified Solutions
What is the legislative purpose of laws pertaining to the practice of physical therapy?
Keep the public safe and to set minimum standards.
What is the definition of unlicensed personnel? What type of personnel are athletic trainers, massage
therapists and/or exercise physiologist based on this definition? What type of supervision is required
for unlicensed personnel?
Unlicensed personnel, any individual working or volunteering in the setting who doesn't have a
license as a PT or a PTA. Exercise physiologist, athletic trainers, and massage therapist. Direct
supervision is required for the physical therapy setting for unlicensed personnel.
How are general supervision and direct supervision defined? Is there any other term used for these
types of supervision?
General supervision: available by two-way communication and in the same geographic location
Direct supervision: physically present and immediately available
Who may delegate, direct, or supervise the PTA or unlicensed support personnel in the physical
therapy setting? What types of activities may be delegated? How do these requirements differ
between the in-patient and out-patient setting?
The physical therapist can supervise the PTA in a physical therapy setting. The PT can decide what to
delegate but has to be within the scope of practice of the PT and the PTA. Cannot do evaluations but
can-do examinations for progress. Can't determine POC or goals. Inpatient: PTA would require direct
supervision from the PT and in outpatient: can have general supervision from the PT as long as the
patient is not in the acute phase of injury or illness. PTA can provide direct supervision to unlicensed
personnel in outpatient when patient is not in acute stage.
What patient-related duties can a PTA perform under the direction of a PT? Under what specific
circumstances is direct supervision of the PTA not required?
Anything that the PT feels is appropriate and is within the scope of practice. Cannot delegate the PTA
to do something that they're not qualified to do. Direct supervision is not required when the patient is
not in the acute phase of treatment. PTA can be employed by other health care practitioners.
Example a chiropractor but still have to have a PT on contract to provide direct supervision.
What type of supervision is required for physical therapy students? Who may supervise the PT
student?
PT students in the clinic are unlicensed personal, so they would need direct supervision. A licensed PT
can supervise PT students or PTA students. PTA can only supervise PTA students. PTA can't do PT
because its higher than they're realm of skills and knowledge.
How long can a patient be treated without a referral? What conditions may be treated? What is
necessary for treatment to continue? What specific healthcare team members can be a practitioner of
record?
Direct access- don't have to go to another doctor first (can be treated for 30 days), Something that
has not be previously treated or diagnoses from a prior physician or doctor. If it is a known issue that
another medical professional has been treated on before then you have to have a referral from a
doctor. A MD, DO, DC, DPM, DDS, DDM, ARNP (can refer a patient to us but has to be within scope of
practice) Ex. TMJ from dentist, not shoulder. PA if its cosigned by the doctor.
