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The analysis of any legal or medical billing is dependent on numerous specific facts — including the factual situations present related to the patients, the practice, the professionals and the medical services and advice. Additionally, laws and regulations and insurance and payer policies are subject to change. The information that has been accurate previously can be particularly dependent on changes in time or circumstances. The information contained in this web site is intended as general information only. It is not intended to serve as medical, health, legal or financial advice or as a substitute for professional advice of a medical coding professional, healthcare consultant, physician or medical professional, legal counsel, accountant or financial advisor. If you have a question about a specific matter, you should contact a professional advisor directly. CPT copyright American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

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Texas Physical Therapy License Exemptions 

The Texas Physical Therapy Act does not restrict the holder of a license issued by another state agency from performing health care services within the scope of the applicable licensing act if the license holder:

    • Does not represent to another that the license holder is a PT;
    • Does not violate Sections 453.201(a) and (c) and 453.304;  and
    • Practices strictly in conformity with the statutes and rules relating to the license holder's license.

The license requirement does not apply to:

A physical therapy aide.

A PT student or PTA student:

    • Participating in an accredited physical therapy or physical therapist assistant educational program; and
    • Being supervised by a license holder.

A student:

    • Participating in an accredited allied health science program leading to licensure by another state agency; and
    • Being supervised by properly licensed, certified, or registered personnel.

A PT who is licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States if the person is engaging, for not more than ninety (90) days in a twelve (12) month period and under the supervision of a PT licensed in Texas, in a special project or clinic required for completion of a post-professional degree in physical therapy from an accredited college or university, and the person notifies the board of the person's intent to practice in Texas.

A person who practices as a PT or as a PTA and who is:

Practicing physical therapy in the United States armed services, United States Public Health Service, or Veterans Administration in compliance with federal regulations for licensure of health care providers.

Licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States or credentialed to practice physical therapy in another country if the person:

    • Is teaching, demonstrating, or practicing physical therapy in an educational seminar in this state for not more than sixty (60) days in a twelve (12) month period, and the person notifies the board of the person's intent to practice in Texas; or
    • By contract or employment, is practicing physical therapy in Texas for not more than sixty (60) days in a twelve (12) month period for an athletic team or organization or a performing arts company temporarily competing or performing in Texas.

Licensed in another jurisdiction of the United States, if the person notifies the board of the person's intent to practice in Texas, and:

    • Is practicing physical therapy for not more than sixty (60) days during a declared local, state, or national disaster or emergency; or
    • Is displaced from the person's residence or place of employment due to a declared local, state, or national disaster and is practicing physical therapy in Texas for not more than sixty (60) days after the date the disaster is declared.

A person practicing physical therapy in the U.S. Armed Services, U.S. Public Health Service, or Veterans Administration in compliance with federal regulations for licensure of health care providers.

A person who is licensed in another jurisdiction of the U.S. and who, by contract or employment, is practicing physical therapy in this state for not more than sixty (60) days in a twelve (12) month period for an athletic team or organization or a performing arts company temporarily competing or performing in Texas.

A PT who is licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction of the U.S. if the person is engaging, for not more than ninety (90) days in a twelve (12) month period and under the supervision of a PT licensed in Texas, in a special project or clinic required for completion of a post-professional degree in physical therapy from an accredited college or university.

    • The individual must submit written notification stating the following:
      • The beginning and ending dates of the period of practice;
      • The name of the institution or facility in which the individual will be practicing;
      • The name of the supervising physical therapist; and
      • A list of the jurisdictions in which the individual has held or currently holds a license.
    • Written notification must be received by the board prior to the start date of the practice.

A PT or a PTA who is licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction of the U.S. or authorized to practice physical therapy without restriction in another country if the person is engaging in patient contact and treatment as either an instructor or participant while attending an educational seminar or activity in this state for not more than sixty (60) days in a twelve (12) month period.

    • The individual must submit written notification stating the following:
      • The beginning and ending dates of the educational activity;
      • The name of the course or activity sponsor;
      • The location of the educational activity; and
      • A list of the jurisdictions in which the individual has held or currently holds a license.
    • Written notification must be received by the board prior to the start date of the educational activity.

A PT or PTA licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction of the U.S. who is practicing physical therapy for not more than sixty (60) days during a declared local, state, or national disaster or emergency.

    • The individual must submit written notification stating the following:
      • The beginning and ending dates of the period of practice;
      • The name of the facility in which the individual will be practicing; and
      • A list of the jurisdictions in which the individual has held or currently holds a license.
    • Written notification must be received by the board prior to the start date of the practice.

A PT or PTA licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction of the U.S. who is displaced from the person's residence or place of employment due to a declared local, state, or national disaster and is practicing physical therapy in this state for not more than sixty (60) days after the date the disaster is declared.

    • The individual must submit written notification stating the following:
      • The beginning and ending dates of the period of practice;
      • The name of the facility in which the individual will be practicing; and
      • A list of the jurisdictions in which the individual has held or currently holds a license.
    • Written notification must be received by the board prior to the start date of the practice.

A PT or PTA licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction of the U.S. who is a military service member or military spouse for the period during which the military service member to whom the military spouse is married is stationed at a military installation in Texas.

The military service member or military spouse must submit an application including the following:

    • A copy of the member’s military orders showing relocation to this state;
    • A copy of the military spouse's marriage license if the applicant is a military spouse; and
    • A notarized affidavit affirming under penalty of perjury that:
      • The applicant is the person described and identified in the application;
      • All statements in the application are true, correct, and complete;
      • The applicant understands the scope of practice for the physical therapy or physical therapist assistant license in texas and will not perform outside of that scope of practice; and
      • The applicant is in good standing in each state in which the applicant holds or has held an applicable license.

Not later than the 10th business day after the date the board receives an application, the board will notify the applicant that:

    • The board recognizes the applicant’s out-of-state license;
    • The application is incomplete; or
    • The board is unable to recognize the applicant’s out-of-state license because the board does not issue a license similar in scope of practice to the applicant’s license.

For individuals exempt from licensure above, the following applies:

    • Any jurisdiction of the U.S. that licenses PTs and PTAs is deemed to have substantially equivalent requirements for licensure;
    • Verification of licensure in other jurisdictions may be through online primary source verification; and
    • The individual must comply with all of the laws and regulations applicable to the provision of physical therapy in Texas.
    • A person is in good standing with another state’s licensing authority if the person:
      • Holds a license that is current, has not been suspended or revoked, and has not been voluntarily surrendered during an investigation for unprofessional conduct;
      • Has not been disciplined by the licensing authority with respect to the license or person’s practice of the occupation for which the license is issued; and
      • Is not currently under investigation by the licensing authority for unprofessional conduct related to the person’s license or profession.

Reference

3 Tex. Occ. Code § 453.004

22 Tex. Admin. Code § 329.7

About Me

Zachary Edgar JD, LLM is Therapy Comply's managing partner.  Zachary is a healthcare attorney who specializes in federal and state healthcare regulatory issues particularly for physical, occupational, and speech therapy practices.  

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