Ark. Code Ann. § 17-93-102 (2026)
Definitions
As used in this chapter:
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- “Consultation by means of telecommunication” means the rendering of a professional opinion, expert opinion, or advice by a physical therapist to another physical therapist or healthcare provider through telecommunication technology.
- “Consultation by means of telecommunication” includes the review or transfer of patient records or related information through telecommunication technology;
- “Direct supervision” means that the supervising therapist is on-site and available for consultation;
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“Physical therapist” means a person who practices physical therapy as defined in this chapter after he or she has:
- Successfully completed a curriculum of physical therapy accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy; and
- Passed a nationally recognized licensing examination;
- “Physical therapist assistant” means a person who is licensed under this chapter and who assists the physical therapist in selected components of the physical therapy treatment intervention;
- “Physical therapy” means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed under this chapter;
- “Physical therapy aide” means an unlicensed member of the physical therapy team who may perform treatments under the direct supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant;
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“Practice of physical therapy” means:
- Examining and evaluating patients with mechanical, physiological, and developmental impairments, functional limitations, and disability or other health-related conditions in order to determine a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and planned therapeutic intervention;
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Alleviating impairments and functional limitations by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions that include:
- Therapeutic exercise;
- Functional training in self-care as it relates to patient mobility and community access;
- Manual therapy techniques, including soft tissue massage, manual traction, connective tissue massage, therapeutic massage, and mobilization, i.e., passive movement accomplished within normal range of motion of the joint, but excluding spinal manipulation and adjustment;
- Assistive and adaptive devices and equipment as they relate to patient mobility and community access;
- Physical agents;
- Mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities; and
- Patient-related instruction.
- The therapeutic intervention of bronchopulmonary hygiene and debridement of wounds require a physician referral before initiation of treatment.
- Physical therapy does not include radiology or electrosurgery;
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Alleviating impairments and functional limitations by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions that include:
- Preventing injury, impairments, functional limitations, and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and quality of life in all age populations; and
- Engaging in consultation, testing, education, and research;
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- “Supervision” means that the supervising therapist retains moral, ethical, and legal responsibility for patient care and is readily available for consultation.
- The supervising therapist is not required to be on-site but must be at least available by telecommunication; and
- “Telecommunication” means the electronic transmission, conveyance, or routing of voice, data, audio, video, or any other information or signals to a point or between or among points.
History. Acts 1959, No. 141, § 1; 1979, No. 631, § 1; 1981, No. 470, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 72-1317; Acts 1991, No. 1232, § 1; 1997, No. 744, § 1; 2001, No. 1412, § 1; 2009, No. 1471, § 2.
A.C.R.C. Notes. Acts 2009, No. 1471, § 1, provided: “Legislative Intent. It is the intent of the General Assembly to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and provide for state administrative control, supervision, licensure, and regulation of the practice of physical therapy. It is the intent of the General Assembly that only individuals who meet and maintain prescribed standards of competence and conduct may engage in the practice of physical therapy as authorized by this chapter. This act shall be liberally construed to promote the public interest and to accomplish the purpose stated herein.”
Amendments. The 2009 amendment rewrote the section.
Case Notes
Illegal Practice of Chiropractic.
Physical therapist's treatments, which caused his patients' spines to “pop,” did not fall under the Arkansas Chiropractic Practices Act's physical therapy exemption, § 17-81-302(3), as the practice of physical therapy is defined in this section as passive movement within the joint's normal range of motion, “excluding spinal manipulation.” Teston v. Ark. State Bd. of Chiropractic Examiners, 361 Ark. 300, 206 S.W.3d 796, cert. denied, 546 U.S. 960, 126 S. Ct. 480, 163 L. Ed. 2d 363 (2005).
Cited: Board of Trustees v. Professional Therapy Servs., Inc., 873 F. Supp. 1280 (W.D. Ark. 1995).