CA PT Law Exam Study Guide Questions
And Correct Answers
What is the definition of physical therapy? - answer✔✔The practice of physical therapy includes
the promotion and maintenance of physical fitness through the use of physical therapy
interventions in order to enhance the bodily movement as related to the health and wellness of
individuals. Interventions include the use of the properties associated with heat, light, water,
electricity as well as exercise based interventions. The implications of physical therapy upon
mental conditions may be associated with exercises that affect areas such as stress and/or
anxiety.
Who is the "physical therapist of record"? - answer✔✔The PT who completed the initial eval.
You can transfer to another therapist but it must be in writing.
True or False: physiotherapy and physical therapy are the same? - answer✔✔True
True or False: PT aide and PT technician can be used interchangeably? - answer✔✔True
What are the powers and duties of the PTBC? - answer✔✔1. Create/enforce Practice Act
2. Protect the public is HIGHEST priority
3. Issue/suspend/revoke/discipline PT licensees in CA
4. Administer a continuing competency program
5. Publish at least 1x a year a newsletter denoting actions taken by the board
6. Inspect PT facilities and patient records
7. Hear matters related to reinstatement or modification of probation.
8. Appoint individuals to proctor exams
9. Investigate applicants to determine if requirements for licensure have been met.
How many days is given to release a patient's record after written authorization has been
approved? - answer✔✔15 days.
$1000 fee per each day late
Who comprises the board? - answer✔✔1 PT involved in education
3 PTs with >5 years experience and are currently licensed
3 public members who are citizens of CA but not licensed medical professionals
True or False: The Governor of CA appoints the PT member and 1 public member to the board?
- answer✔✔True
True or False: President and VP of the board are determined by the governor of CA? -
answer✔✔False- elected by board members
How long is a board members term? - answer✔✔4 years- expires 1st day of June. No person can
serve more than two consecutive terms (8 years max)
What are the qualifications for PT/PTA licensure? - answer✔✔1. >18 years old
2. Not addicted to any substances
3. Completed education and training
4. Not committed any crimes
What do the legislative numbers mean? - answer✔✔<1000= business/profession code
1000-2000= CA code of regulations
>2000= specific to PT practice act
True or False: A graduate can work as PTLA under direct and immediate supervision of a
licensed PT for 120 days pending results of first licensing exam he/she is eligible for? -
answer✔✔True
True or False: A licensed supervising PT must be on-site at ALL times and must have a
documented receipt of the letter authorizing the PTLA to practice as well as a record of the
expiration date of that status? - answer✔✔True
True or False: Once a PTLA passes the NPTE, their status changes and they can identify as a
physical therapist? - answer✔✔False- PTLA status will remain in effect until a license is issued
and only then can they identify as a physical therapist.
What happens if a new grad does not take the exam during the first possible test cycle? -
answer✔✔The graduate can no longer practice as a PTLA
True or False: PTLAs can supervise a PTA or aide providing patient related tasks? -
answer✔✔False- they can not
True or False: The rules for PTLA and PTALAs are the same? - answer✔✔True
1. 120 days of status
2. a licensed PT must be on site at all times and carry necessary documentation as well as
expiration date of status
3. status remains in effect after passing the exam until license is granted
4. if the exam is failed or they dont register for the soonest test they can no longer practice as a
PTALA
How can someone become a PTA without going to PTA shcool? - answer✔✔If the board finds
someone to have proper training/adequate experience equivalent to that received a PTA school
and they meet the requirements for licensure they may apply for licensure as a PTA
Who creates the licensing exam for PTs and PTAs? - answer✔✔Federation of State Boards of
Physical Therapy (FSPT)
What does the PTBC stand for? - answer✔✔Physical Therapy Board of California
What exams are required to obtain a CA PT/PTA license? - answer✔✔1. State laws and
regulations
2. NPTE
How many times is an applicant allowed to sit for the NPTE per application per 12-month time
period? - answer✔✔3
True or False: If an applicant does not pass the NPTE within one year from date of original
notice they can still use the same application they just need to pay the fees again. -
answer✔✔False- they require a new application in addition to fees and a re-exam fee
How many years does a person have after passing the NPTE to pay the required initial license
fee? - answer✔✔5 years- if it has not been paid within 5 years of passing then the application is
considering abandonded
Where is the PTBC located? - answer✔✔Sacramento
What are the 3 criteria that must be met in order for someone to be issued a license without
written exam? - answer✔✔1. The applicant is licensed as a PT or PTA in a state, district or
territory of the US and has met the requirements for licensing.
2. The applicant is a graduate of a PT or PTA education program.
3. The applicant files an application with the board.
What does CAPTE stand for? - answer✔✔Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy
Educaiton
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