Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 333 / Act 368 of 1978
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.17801 (2026)

Definitions; principles of construction.

✓ current as of July 2026
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PUBLIC HEALTH CODE


Act 368 of 1978


333.17801 Definitions; principles of construction.

Sec. 17801.

    (1) As used in this part:

    (a) "Physical therapist" means an individual licensed under this article to engage in the practice of physical therapy.

    (b) "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual with a health profession subfield license under this part who assists a physical therapist in physical therapy intervention.

    (c) "Practice as physical therapist assistant" means the practice of physical therapy performed under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed under this part.

    (d) "Practice of physical therapy" means the evaluation of, education of, consultation with, or treatment of an individual by the employment of effective properties of physical measures and the use of therapeutic exercises and rehabilitative procedures, with or without assistive devices, for the purpose of preventing, correcting, or alleviating a physical or mental disability. Physical therapy includes treatment planning, performance of tests and measurements, interpretation of referrals, initiation of referrals, instruction, consultative services, and supervision of personnel. Physical measures include massage, mobilization, heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, and sound. Practice of physical therapy does not include the identification of underlying medical problems or etiologies, establishment of medical diagnoses, or the prescribing of treatment.

    (2) In addition to the definitions in this part, article 1 contains general definitions and principles of construction applicable to all articles in this code and part 161 contains definitions applicable to this part.

History: 1978, Act 368, Eff. Sept. 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 177, Imd. Eff. June 9, 1982 ;-- Am. 1987, Act 213, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1987 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2009

Compiler's Notes:

    For transfer of powers and duties of certain health-related functions, boards, and commissions from the Department of Licensing and Regulation to the Department of Commerce, see E.R.O. No. 1991-9, compiled at MCL 338.3501 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

PopularName Notes:

Act 368
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1983–2025 · leading case: Attorney Gen. v. Beno, 373 N.W.2d 544 (Mich. 1985).
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Attorney Gen. v. Beno, 373 N.W.2d 544 (Mich. 1985). · cites it 6× “He also concluded that the use of these machines represented the practice of physical therapy under MCL 333.17801; MSA 14.15(17801). The board (prior to the issuance of their regulations on this subject) concluded that "the use of these modes for therapeutic purposes is outside…”
Hofmann v. Auto Club Ins., 535 N.W.2d 529 (Mich. Ct. App. 1995). “MCL 333.17801(l)(b); MSA 14.15(17801)(l)(b).”
Brown v. Hayes, 716 N.W.2d 13 (Mich. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “Because occupational therapists cannot call themselves occupational therapists or use a similar title without being registered, registration constitutes a "license" within the meaning of that term as defined by the statute. We thus reject defendants' argument that only a…”
Attorney Gen. v. Beno, 335 N.W.2d 31 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 2× “MCL 333.17801(1)(b); MSA 14.15(17801)(1)(b).”
Pontiac Sch. Dist. v. Pontiac Educ. Ass'n, 295 Mich. App. 147 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012). “Instead, they are licensed under part 178 of Michigan’s Public Health Code, MCL 333.17801 et seq., and part 183 of Michigan’s Public Health Code, MCL 333.”
Russ M Belcher v. Ford Motor Co (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 4× “” MCL 333.17801. As such, “massage” is a physical therapy service under MCL 418.”
20250130_C365767_52_365767.Opn.Pdf (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “” MCL 333.17801(1)(d) (emphasis added). Accordingly, although plaintiff also argues that the trial court erred by limiting Ahmed’s testimony, the trial court properly limited his testimony to the services he provided and the reasons why he provided the treatment.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.17801(1)(b) — 2 cases
Attorney Gen. v. Beno, 373 N.W.2d 544 (Mich. 1985). “He also concluded that the use of these machines represented the practice of physical therapy under MCL 333.17801; MSA 14.15(17801). The board (prior to the issuance of their regulations on this subject) concluded that "the use of these modes for therapeutic purposes is outside…”
Attorney Gen. v. Beno, 335 N.W.2d 31 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983). “MCL 333.17801(1)(b); MSA 14.15(17801)(1)(b).”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.17801(1)(d) — 1 case
20250130_C365767_52_365767.Opn.Pdf (Mich. Ct. App. 2025). “” MCL 333.17801(1)(d) (emphasis added). Accordingly, although plaintiff also argues that the trial court erred by limiting Ahmed’s testimony, the trial court properly limited his testimony to the services he provided and the reasons why he provided the treatment.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.17801(a) — 1 case
Russ M Belcher v. Ford Motor Co (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “” MCL 333.17801. As such, “massage” is a physical therapy service under MCL 418.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.17801(d) — 1 case
Russ M Belcher v. Ford Motor Co (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “” MCL 333.17801. As such, “massage” is a physical therapy service under MCL 418.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.17801(l)(b) — 3 cases
Hofmann v. Auto Club Ins., 535 N.W.2d 529 (Mich. Ct. App. 1995). “MCL 333.17801(l)(b); MSA 14.15(17801)(l)(b).”
Attorney Gen. v. Beno, 373 N.W.2d 544 (Mich. 1985). “He also concluded that the use of these machines represented the practice of physical therapy under MCL 333.17801; MSA 14.15(17801). The board (prior to the issuance of their regulations on this subject) concluded that "the use of these modes for therapeutic purposes is outside…”
Attorney Gen. v. Beno, 335 N.W.2d 31 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983). “MCL 333.17801(1)(b); MSA 14.15(17801)(1)(b).”
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