IllinoisSB2496104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

PHYSICAL THERAPY ACT-SUNSET

Sponsored By: Suzy Glowiak Hilton (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to change the repeal date of the Illinois Physical Therapy Act from January 1, 2026 to January 1, 2031. Amends the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. Changes references from "Director" to "Secretary". Makes changes in provisions concerning legislative intent; definitions; physical therapy services; dry needling; licensure requirements; powers and duties of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act; duties and functions of the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Physical Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board; qualifications for licensure; license applications; examinations; restoration of expired licenses; inactive licenses; fees and returned checks; disciplinary actions; violations; investigations and hearings; confidentiality; and temporary suspension of a license. Adds provisions concerning the applicant's or licensee's address of record and email address of record. Makes other changes. Provides that the provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are effective immediately.

assignmentslicensed activitieshealth care licenses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

Monthly care updates for chronic patients

Physical therapists treating patients diagnosed with chronic disease must communicate with a health care professional at least monthly. Without a referral, they contact the patient's treating professional. With a referral, they contact the referring professional, consistent with the established care plan.

Agencies cannot reshare therapy licensing records

Law enforcement and regulatory agencies receiving information or documents from Illinois' licensing department cannot pass them to another agency or person. This limits further sharing of records disclosed under the physical therapy law.

Physical therapy licensing lasts through 2030

The law moves the Illinois Physical Therapy Act's scheduled repeal from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2031. This extends the state's licensing and practice framework for physical therapists and assistants. Some individual provisions still have separate January 1, 2026, repeal dates.

Licensing court challenges require record payments

People seeking court review must pay the department's costs for providing and certifying the case record. The department sets the amount. Until payment, it need not send the record, answer the case, or otherwise appear. Failing to file the payment receipt in court is grounds for dismissal.

Returned licensing payments bring $50 fines

A returned licensing payment adds a $50 fine to the amount owed. After notice, the person has 30 calendar days to pay by certified check or money order. Otherwise, the department automatically terminates the license or certificate, or denies the application, without a hearing. Restoration or issuance requires payment of the fees and fines. The Secretary may waive the fine in an individual case.

Therapy work requires an active license

People with inactive Illinois therapist or assistant licenses cannot practice or present themselves as physical therapists or assistants. A person or company cannot claim to be a physical therapist or advertise physical therapy without a current license. A first offense is a Class A misdemeanor. A second or later offense is a Class 4 felony.

Therapist ID options and contact rules

Original license applicants can provide an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead of a Social Security number. The licensing department keeps that number in its records. Physical therapy applicants and license holders must also provide a physical address and email address when applying or renewing. They must report changes to either address within 14 days.

Therapy methods clarified; dry needling restricted

The law expressly includes therapeutic exercise, joint movement, dry needling, and rehabilitation with or without assistive equipment in physical therapy. Only licensed physical therapists and assistants who meet added training requirements can perform dry needling. They need at least 50 instructional hours, including 30 classroom hours, plus 54 practicum hours. They also need at least 200 supervised treatment sessions and must pass a competency exam.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Suzy Glowiak Hilton

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Morgan

    Democratic • House

  • Jawaharial Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Kimberly A. Lightford

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 0

House vote • 5/22/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 111 • No: 0

House vote • 4/23/2025

Do Pass / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee;

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Do Pass as Amended Licensed Activities;

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0154

    8/1/2025Senate
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2026; Some Provisions

    8/1/2025Senate
  3. Effective Date August 1, 2025; Some Provisions

    8/1/2025Senate
  4. Governor Approved

    8/1/2025Senate
  5. Sent to the Governor

    6/20/2025Senate
  6. Passed Both Houses

    5/22/2025Senate
  7. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 111-000-000

    5/22/2025House
  8. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    5/16/2025House
  9. Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/16/2025House
  10. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

    4/23/2025House
  11. Do Pass / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee; 013-000-000

    4/23/2025House
  12. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams

    4/23/2025House
  13. Assigned to Health Care Licenses Committee

    4/17/2025House
  14. Referred to Rules Committee

    4/9/2025House
  15. First Reading

    4/9/2025House
  16. Chief House Sponsor Rep. Bob Morgan

    4/9/2025House
  17. Arrived in House

    4/9/2025House
  18. Third Reading - Passed; 056-000-000

    4/9/2025Senate
  19. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading

    4/9/2025Senate
  20. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **

    4/4/2025Senate
  21. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

    4/4/2025Senate
  22. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 1, 2025

    3/20/2025Senate
  23. Second Reading

    3/20/2025Senate
  24. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025

    3/19/2025Senate
  25. Do Pass as Amended Licensed Activities; 006-000-000

    3/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

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