R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-9

This is the official text of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-40-9, part of Rhode Island’s Gen. Laws — part of the compiled statutory law of Rhode Island, published by the state as "Gen. Laws." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

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§ 5-40-9. Right of use of the title of physical therapist.

Official statutory text

(a) To safeguard the welfare and health of the people of the state, it is unlawful for any person to represent himself or herself as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in this state or to use any title, abbreviation, sign, or device to indicate that the person is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant unless this person has been licensed pursuant to the provisions of §§ 5-40-7 and 5-40-7.1.

(b) A physical therapist shall use the letters €œPT€ or the term €œphysical therapist€ immediately following his or her name to designate licensure under this chapter. A person or business entity, its employees, agents, or representatives shall not use in connection with that person€™s name or the name or activity of the business, the words €œphysical therapy,€ €œphysical therapist,€ €œregistered physical therapist,€ the letters €œPT,€ €œDPT,€ €œLPT,€ €œRPT,€ €œSPT,€ or any other words, abbreviations, or insignia, indicating or implying, directly or indirectly, that physical therapy is provided or supplied, unless the services are provided by or under the direction of a physical therapist licensed pursuant to this chapter. A person who or business entity shall not advertise or otherwise promote another person as being a €œphysical therapist€ unless the individual so advertised or promoted is licensed as a physical therapist pursuant to this chapter. A person who or business entity that offers, provides, or bills any other person for services shall not characterize those services as €œphysical therapy€ unless the individual performing those services is a person under the direction or supervision of a physical therapist pursuant to this chapter.

(c) The abbreviation €œG.P.T.€ shall be used to identify a €œgraduate physical therapist€ authorized to perform as a graduate physical therapist pursuant to this chapter.

(d) A physical therapist assistant shall use the letters €œPTA€ immediately following his or her name to designate licensure under this chapter.

(e) A person shall not use the title €œphysical therapist assistant€ or €œgraduate physical therapist assistant€ and the letters €œPTA€ or €œGPTA,€ or any other words, abbreviations, or insignia in connection with that person€™s name, to indicate or imply, directly or indirectly, that the person is a physical therapist assistant unless that person is licensed as a physical therapist assistant pursuant to this chapter.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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