Title 18 — Title 18 BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS
113 chapters · 2,288 sections in this title.
RCW 18.74.005 Purpose of chapter.
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The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and to provide for state administrative control, supervision, licensure, and regulation of the practice of physical therapy. It is the intent of the legislature that only individuals who meet and ma…
RCW 18.74.010 Definitions.
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The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Authorized health care practitioner" means and includes licensed physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, podiatric physicians and surgeons, den…
RCW 18.74.012 Consultation with health care practitioner not required for certain treatments.
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A consultation and periodic review by an authorized health care practitioner is not required for treatment of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions.[ 2005 c 501 s 3; 2000 c 171 s 24; 1991 c 12 s 2; 1990 c 297 s 19; 1988 c 185 s 2.]Notes:Effective dates—1991 c 12 ss 1, 2, 3,…
RCW 18.74.015 Referral to health care practitioners—When required.
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(1) Physical therapists shall refer persons under their care to authorized health care practitioners if they have reasonable cause to believe symptoms or conditions are present which require services beyond the scope of their practice or for which physical therapy is contraindica…
RCW 18.74.020 Board created—Members—Staff assistance—Compensation and travel expenses.
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The state board of physical therapy is hereby created. The board shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the governor. Five members of the board shall be physical therapists licensed under this chapter and residing in this state, shall have not less than five yea…
RCW 18.74.023 Board—Powers and duties.
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The board has the following powers and duties:(1) To develop and administer, or approve, or both, examinations to applicants for a license under this chapter.(2) To pass upon the qualifications of applicants for a license and to certify to the secretary duly qualified applicants.…
RCW 18.74.025 Standards for appropriateness of physical therapy care—Violation.
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Pursuant to the board's power in RCW 18.74.023(3), the board is directed to adopt rules relating to standards for appropriateness of physical therapy care. Violation of the standards adopted by rule under this section is unprofessional conduct under this chapter and chapter 18.13…
RCW 18.74.027 Board—Officers—Meetings—Quorum.
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The board shall elect from its members a chairperson and vice chairperson-secretary, who shall serve for one year and until their successors are elected. The board shall meet at least once a year and upon the call of the chairperson at such times and places as the chairperson des…
RCW 18.74.029 Application of Uniform Disciplinary Act.
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The Uniform Disciplinary Act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses and interim permits, and the discipline of licensees and holders of interim permits under this chapter.[ 1993 c 133 s 2; 1987 c 150 s 47; 1986 c 259 s 123.]Notes:Sev…
RCW 18.74.030 Qualifications of applicants.
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(1) An applicant for a license as a physical therapist shall have the following minimum qualifications:(a) Be of good moral character; and(b) Have obtained either (i) a baccalaureate degree in physical therapy from an institution of higher learning approved by the board or (ii) a…
RCW 18.74.033 Qualifications—Military training and experience.
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An applicant with military training or experience satisfies the training and experience requirements of this chapter unless the board determines that the military training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the standards of this state.[ 2011 c 32 s 8.]
RCW 18.74.035 Examinations—Scope—Time and place.
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(1) All qualified applicants for a license as a physical therapist shall be examined by the board at such time and place as the board may determine. The board may approve an examination prepared or administered by a private testing agency or association of licensing authorities. …
RCW 18.74.038 Physical therapist assistants—Waiver of examination.
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The board shall waive the examination and grant a license to a person who meets the commonly accepted standards for practicing as a physical therapist assistant, as adopted by rule. Persons eligible for licensure as a physical therapist assistant under this section must apply for…
RCW 18.74.040 Licenses.
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(1) The secretary shall license as a physical therapist, and shall furnish a license to, each applicant who successfully passes the examination for licensure as a physical therapist.(2) The secretary shall license as a physical therapist assistant, and shall furnish a license to,…
RCW 18.74.050 Licenses—Fees.
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(1) The secretary shall furnish a license upon the authority of the board to any person who applies and who has qualified under the provisions of this chapter. At the time of applying, the applicant shall comply with administrative procedures, administrative requirements, and fee…
RCW 18.74.060 Licensure by endorsement.
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Upon the recommendation of the board, the secretary shall license as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and shall furnish a license to any person who is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant registered, certified, or licensed under the laws of ano…
RCW 18.74.065 Licenses—Issuance to persons licensed or registered before July 24, 1983.
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Any person holding a valid license or certificate of registration to practice physical therapy issued by authority of this state prior to July 24, 1983, shall be issued a license under this chapter.[ 1983 c 116 s 11.]
RCW 18.74.070 Renewal of license.
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Every licensed physical therapist and physical therapist assistant shall apply to the secretary for a renewal of the license and pay to the state treasurer a fee determined by the secretary as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.[ 2007 c 98 s 8; 1996 c 191 s 61; 1991 c 3 s 18…
RCW 18.74.073 Licenses—Inactive status—Fees.
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Any physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed under this chapter not practicing physical therapy or providing services may place his or her license in an inactive status. The board shall prescribe requirements for maintaining an inactive status and converting fr…
RCW 18.74.075 Interim permits.
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(1) The department, upon approval by the board, shall issue an interim permit authorizing an applicant for licensure who meets the minimum qualifications stated in RCW 18.74.030 to practice physical therapy under graduate supervision pending notification of the results of the fir…
RCW 18.74.085 Types of advertising prohibited.
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(1) Physical therapists shall not advertise that they perform spinal manipulation, manipulative mobilization of the spine, chiropractic adjustment, spinal adjustment, maintenance or wellness manipulation, or chiropractic care of any kind.(2) A violation of this section is unprofe…
RCW 18.74.090 False advertising—Use of name and words—License required—Prosecutions of violations.
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(1) A person who is not licensed with the secretary of health as a physical therapist under the requirements of this chapter shall not represent him or herself as being so licensed and shall not use in connection with his or her name the words or letters "P.T.", "R.P.T.", "L.P.T.…
RCW 18.74.095 False advertising—Injunctions.
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If any person violates the provisions of this chapter, the attorney general, prosecuting attorney, the secretary, the board, or any citizen of the same county, may maintain an action in the name of the state to enjoin such person from practicing or holding himself or herself out …
RCW 18.74.120 Record of proceedings—Register.
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The secretary of health shall keep a record of proceedings under this chapter and a register of all persons licensed under it. The register shall show the name of every living licensed physical therapist and physical therapist assistant, his or her last known place of residence, …
RCW 18.74.125 Construction of chapter—Activities not prohibited—Use of letters or words in connection with name.
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Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any person licensed in this state under any other act from engaging in the practice for which he or she is licensed. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any person who, at any time prior to January 1, 1961, was practicing any healing or m…
RCW 18.74.128 Construction of chapter—Health carrier contracts with physical therapist assistants.
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Nothing in this chapter may be construed to require that a health carrier defined in RCW 48.43.005 contract with a person licensed as a physical therapist assistant under this chapter.[ 2007 c 98 s 17.]
RCW 18.74.130 Exemptions.
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This chapter does not prohibit or regulate:(1) The practice of physical therapy by students enrolled in approved schools as may be incidental to their course of study so long as such activities do not go beyond the scope of practice defined by this chapter.(2) Auxiliary services …
RCW 18.74.135 Insurance coverage and benefits not required or regulated.
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This chapter shall not be construed to restrict the ability of any insurance entity regulated by Title 48 RCW, or any state agency or program from limiting or controlling the utilization of physical therapy services by the use of any type of gatekeeper function; nor shall it be c…
RCW 18.74.140 Practice setting not restricted.
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Nothing in this chapter restricts the ability of physical therapists to work in the practice setting of their choice.[ 1991 c 12 s 4.]
RCW 18.74.150 Unlawful activities—Persons exempt from licensure under chapter.
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(1) It is unlawful for any person to practice or in any manner hold himself or herself out to practice physical therapy or designate himself or herself as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, unless he or she is licensed in accordance with this chapter or has une…
RCW 18.74.160 Authorization to practice—Referral to appropriate practitioner—Standards of ethics—Electroneuromyographic examinations—Authorization to purchase, store, and administer certain drugs or medication.
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(1) A physical therapist licensed under this chapter is fully authorized to practice physical therapy as defined in this chapter.(2) A physical therapist shall refer persons under his or her care to appropriate health care practitioners if the physical therapist has reasonable ca…
RCW 18.74.170 Delegation.
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(1) Physical therapists are responsible for patient care given by assistive personnel under their supervision. A physical therapist may delegate to assistive personnel and supervise selected acts, tasks, or procedures that fall within the scope of physical therapy practice but do…
RCW 18.74.180 Professional and legal responsibility—Supervision of assistive personnel.
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A physical therapist is professionally and legally responsible for patient care given by assistive personnel under his or her supervision. If a physical therapist fails to adequately supervise patient care given by assistive personnel, the board may take disciplinary action again…
RCW 18.74.190 Spinal manipulation—Endorsement.
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(1) Subject to the limitations of this section, a physical therapist may perform spinal manipulation only after being issued a spinal manipulation endorsement by the secretary. The secretary, upon approval by the board, shall issue an endorsement to a physical therapist who has a…
RCW 18.74.200 Intramuscular needling—Endorsement.
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(1) Subject to the limitations of this section, a physical therapist may perform intramuscular needling only after being issued an intramuscular needling endorsement by the secretary. The secretary, upon approval by the board, shall issue an endorsement to a physical therapist wh…
RCW 18.74.500 Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.
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The Physical Therapy Licensure Compact as set forth in this section is hereby enacted into law and entered into on behalf of this state with any and all other states legally joining therein in a form substantially as follows:PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACTARTICLE I - PURPOSETh…
RCW 18.74.510 Physical therapy licensure compact—Compact privilege—Fees.
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(1) The secretary, in consultation with the board, shall establish fees pursuant to RCW 43.70.250 for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants seeking to practice in this state by use of compact privilege as defined in RCW 18.74.500. At the time of applying for compa…
RCW 18.74.520 Physical therapy licensure compact—Criminal history information.
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The board shall not disseminate any criminal history information gained through a federal background check, ordered pursuant to RCW 18.74.500, the physical therapy licensure compact, to the physical therapy compact commission or another state or state licensure board.[ 2017 c 108…
RCW 18.74.912 Effective dates—2007 c 98.
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(1) Sections 1 and 3 through 18 of this act take effect July 1, 2008.(2) Section 2 of this act takes effect December 1, 2008.[ 2007 c 98 s 19.]