An Act amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), known as the Physical Therapy Practice Act, further providing for definitions and for practice of physical therapy.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2296 PRINTER'S NO. 2533
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1251
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CURRY, HILL-EVANS, WAXMAN, GUZMAN, PIELLI, OTTEN,
CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, CERRATO, PROBST, BOROWSKI, RIVERA, MAYES,
HOHENSTEIN, SHUSTERMAN, SANCHEZ, GREEN AND SAMUELSON,
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, OCTOBER 28, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), entitled
"An act relating to the practice of physical therapy,"
further providing for DEFINITIONS AND FOR practice of
physical therapy.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 9(a) of the act of October 10, 1975
(P.L.383, No.110), known as the Physical Therapy Practice Act,
is amended to read:
SECTION 1. THE DEFINITION OF "PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT" IN
SECTION 2 OF THE ACT OF OCTOBER 10, 1975 (P.L.383, NO.110),
KNOWN AS THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE ACT, IS AMENDED AND THE
SECTION IS AMENDED BY ADDING A DEFINITION TO READ:
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.--THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS SHALL
APPLY, WHEN USED IN THIS ACT, UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSED
THEREIN:
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"MIDWIFE" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL LICENSED UNDER THE ACT OF
DECEMBER 20, 1985 (P.L.457, NO.112), KNOWN AS THE "MEDICAL
PRACTICE ACT OF 1985."
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"PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL AS DEFINED IN THE
ACT OF OCTOBER 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, NO.261), KNOWN AS THE
"OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT," OR THE [ACT OF DECEMBER 20,
1985 (P.L.457, NO.112), KNOWN AS THE] "MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT OF
1985."
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SECTION 2. SECTION 9(A) OF THE ACT IS AMENDED TO READ:
Section 9. Practice of Physical Therapy.--(a) Except as
provided in subsection (b), no individual licensed under this
act as a physical therapist shall treat human ailments by
physical therapy or otherwise except by the referral of an
individual licensed as a physician, a licensed physician
assistant practicing pursuant to a written agreement with a
physician or a certified registered nurse practitioner
practicing pursuant to a collaborative agreement with a
physician; however, a physical therapist shall be permitted to
accept the referral of a licensed dentist [or], podiatrist[,] or
certified nurse midwife for the treatment of a condition that is
within the scope of practice of dentistry [or], podiatry or
midwifery. Nothing in this act shall be construed as
authorization for a physical therapist to practice any branch of
the healing arts except as described in this act. For purposes
of this section, relating to referrals, a licensed physician,
dentist [or], podiatrist or certified nurse midwife means an
individual holding an active license in this Commonwealth, the
District of Columbia or any other state or United States
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territory.
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Section 2 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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