Or. Rev. Stat. § 688.010
Definitions for ORS 688.010 to 688.201
688.010 Definitions for ORS 688.010 to 688.201. As used in ORS 688.010 to 688.201, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) “Physical therapist” means a person who is licensed pursuant to ORS 688.010 to 688.201 to practice physical therapy.
(2) “Physical therapist aide” means a person who is trained by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to perform designated and supervised routine tasks related to physical therapy and who works under the direct on-site supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.
(3) “Physical therapist assistant” means a person who assists a physical therapist in the administration of selected components of physical therapy intervention. A physical therapist assistant works under the supervision and direction of the physical therapist.
(4) “Physical therapy” means the care and services provided by a physical therapist or by a physical therapist assistant under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist.
(5) “Practice of physical therapy” means:
(a) Examining, evaluating and testing for mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations and disabilities or other neuromusculoskeletal conditions in order to determine a physical therapy diagnosis or prognosis or a plan of physical therapy intervention and to assess the ongoing effects of physical therapy intervention.
(b) Alleviating impairments and functional limitations by designing, implementing, administering and modifying physical therapy interventions.
(c) Reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation and disability by physical therapy interventions that may include as a component the promotion and maintenance of health, fitness and quality of life in all age populations.
(d) Consulting or providing educational services to a patient for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subsection. [1959 c.461 §1; 1965 c.314 §1; 1969 c.339 §1; 1971 c.585 §1; 1975 c.111 §1; 1987 c.726 §5; 2005 c.627 §3; 2019 c.43 §13]
Note: The amendments to 688.010 by section 7, chapter 627, Oregon Laws 2025, become operative July 1, 2027. See section 24, chapter 627, Oregon Laws 2025. The text that is operative on and after July 1, 2027, is set forth for the user’s convenience.
688.010. As used in ORS 688.010 to 688.201, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) “Competence” means the application of knowledge, skills and behaviors by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant required for the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to function effectively, safely, ethically and legally within the context of the patient’s role and environment.
(2) “Consultation” means the act of a physical therapist seeking assistance from, or rendering professional or expert opinion or advice to, another physical therapist or health care provider.
(3) “Continuing competency” means the continual process for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to maintain and document competence through ongoing self-assessment, development and implementation of a personal learning plan, and the subsequent reassessment of the personal learning plan.
(4) “On-site supervision” means supervision by a physical therapist who is:
(a) Continuously and physically on site and present in the department or health care facility where the supervised services are provided;
(b) Immediately available to the supervisee; and
(c) Continually involved in the necessary aspects of patient care.
(5) “Physical therapist” or “physiotherapist” means a person licensed under ORS 688.010 to 688.201 to practice physical therapy.
(6) “Physical therapist aide” means a person who is trained by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to perform designated and supervised routine tasks related to physical therapy and who works under the direct on-site supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.
(7) “Physical therapist assistant” means a person licensed under ORS 688.010 to 688.201 who assists a physical therapist in the administration of selected components of physical therapy treatment intervention.
(8) “Physical therapy” means the care and services provided by a physical therapist or by a physical therapist assistant under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist.
(9) “Practice of physical therapy” means:
(a) Examining, evaluating and testing for mechanical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations and disabilities or other neuromusculoskeletal conditions in order to determine a physical therapy diagnosis or prognosis or a plan of physical therapy intervention and to assess the ongoing effects of physical therapy intervention.
(b) Alleviating impairments and functional limitations by designing, implementing, administering and modifying physical therapy interventions.
(c) Reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation and disability by physical therapy interventions that may include as a component the promotion and maintenance of health, fitness and quality of life in all age populations.
(d) Consulting or providing educational services to a patient for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subsection.
(10) “Supervision” means the process by which a physical therapist oversees and directs safe and effective delivery of patient care by a physical therapist assistant or physical therapist aide through appropriate verbal, written or electronic communication, while the physical therapist is physically on site or located remotely.