A physical therapist may treat certain patients without a referral if listed conditions are met, but treatment without a referral is limited to 30 consecutive calendar days and continued treatment needs a referral.
Sec. 453.301. PRACTICE BY PHYSICAL THERAPIST. (a) A physical therapist may treat a patient for an injury or condition in a manner described by Section 453.005 without a referral if the physical therapist: (1) has been licensed to practice physical therapy for at least one year; (2) is covered by professional liability insurance in the minimum amount required by board rule; and (3) either: (A) possesses a doctoral degree in physical therapy from: (i) a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education; or (ii) an institution that is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the United States secretary of education; or (B) has completed at least 30 hours of continuing competence activities in the area of differential diagnosis. (a-1) A physical therapist may treat a patient under Subsection (a) for not more than 30 consecutive calendar days. (a-2) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1090 (H.B. 4099), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025. (b) The physical therapist must obtain a referral from a referring practitioner before the physical therapist may continue treatment that exceeds treatment authorized under Subsection (a-1). (c) A physical therapist who treats a patient without a referral shall obtain from the patient a signed disclosure on a form prescribed by the board in which the patient acknowledges that: (1) physical therapy is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis by a physician; (2) physical therapy is not based on radiological imaging; (3) a physical therapist cannot diagnose an illness or disease; and (4) the patient's health insurance may not include coverage for the physical therapist's services. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1021 (H.B. 29), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 140 (H.B. 1363), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1090 (H.B. 4099), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1090 (H.B. 4099), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.