Kansas Statutes
Article 29 - Physical Therapy
65-2901 Definitions.

65-2901. Definitions. As used in the physical therapy practice act:
(a) "Physical therapy" means examining, evaluating and testing individuals with mechanical, anatomical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations and disabilities or other health and movement-related conditions in order to determine a diagnosis solely for physical therapy, prognosis, plan of therapeutic intervention and to assess the ongoing effects of physical therapy intervention. Physical therapy also includes alleviating impairments, functional limitations and disabilities by designing, implementing and modifying therapeutic interventions that may include, but are not limited to, therapeutic exercise; functional training in community or work integration or reintegration; manual therapy; dry needling; therapeutic massage; prescription, application and, as appropriate, fabrication of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, prosthetic, protective and supportive devices and equipment; airway clearance techniques; integumentary protection and repair techniques; debridement and wound care; physical agents or modalities; mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities; patient-related instruction; reducing the risk of 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 administration, consultation, education and research. Physical therapy also includes the care and services provided by a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to the physical therapy practice act. Physical therapy does not include the use of roentgen rays and radium for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, the use of electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization, the practice of any branch of the healing arts and the making of a medical diagnosis.
(b) "Physical therapist" means a person who is licensed to practice physical therapy pursuant to the physical therapy practice act. Any person who successfully meets the requirements of K.S.A. 65-2906, and amendments thereto, shall be known and designated as a physical therapist and may designate or describe oneself, as appropriate, as a physical therapist, physiotherapist, licensed physical therapist, doctor of physical therapy, abbreviations thereof, or words similar thereto or use of the designated letters P.T., Ph. T., M.P.T., D.P.T. or L.P.T. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit physical therapists licensed under K.S.A. 65-2906 and 65-2909, and amendments thereto, from listing or using in conjunction with their name any letters, words, abbreviations or other insignia to designate any educational degrees, certifications or credentials recognized by the board which such licensee has earned. Each licensee when using the letters or term "Dr." or "Doctor" in conjunction with such licensee's professional practice, whether in any written or oral communication, shall identify oneself as a "physical therapist" or "doctor of physical therapy."
(c) "Physical therapist assistant" means a person who is certified pursuant to the physical therapy practice act and who works under the direction of a physical therapist, and who assists the physical therapist in selected components of physical therapy intervention. Any person who successfully meets the requirements of K.S.A. 65-2906, and amendments thereto, shall be known and designated as a physical therapist assistant, and may designate or describe oneself as a physical therapist assistant, certified physical therapist assistant, abbreviations thereof, or words similar thereto or use of the designated letters P.T.A., C.P.T.A. or P.T. Asst. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit physical therapist assistants certified under K.S.A. 65-2906 and 65-2909, and amendments thereto, from listing or using in conjunction with their name any letters, words, abbreviations or other insignia to designate any educational degrees, certifications or credentials which such physical therapist assistant has earned.
(d) "Board" means the state board of healing arts.
(e) "Council" means the physical therapy advisory council.
(f) "Dry needling" means a skilled intervention using a thin filiform needle to penetrate into or through the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points or muscular or connective tissues for the management of neuromuscular pain or movement impairments.
(g) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery.
(h) "Recognized by the board" means an action taken by the board at an open meeting to recognize letters, words, abbreviations or other insignia to designate any educational degrees, certifications or credentials, consistent with the provisions of this act, which a physical therapist may appropriately use to designate or describe oneself and which shall be published in the official minutes of the board.
History: L. 1963, ch. 318, § 1; L. 1973, ch. 253, § 1; L. 1983, ch. 215, § 1; L. 1988, ch. 246, § 19; L. 2003, ch. 128, § 1; L. 2004, ch. 61, § 1; L. 2007, ch. 177, § 19; L. 2011, ch. 114, § 19; L. 2016, ch. 92, § 32; July 1.

Structure Kansas Statutes

Kansas Statutes

Chapter 65 - Public Health

Article 29 - Physical Therapy

65-2901 Definitions.

65-2903 Physical therapy advisory council; membership; qualifications.

65-2904 Same; terms; oath.

65-2905 Same; officers; executive director; powers and duties; quorum; records; employees; compensation and expenses.

65-2906 Duties of board; qualifications of applicants; form of application; approval of schools.

65-2909 Examinations; when not required; fees; temporary permits.

65-2910 Renewal of license or certification; renewal requirements; expiration notice; fees; cancellation; reinstatement; inactive license; exempt license; federally active license.

65-2911 Rules and regulations; record of proceedings; roster of persons licensed or certified; fee limitations; examination fees; disposition of moneys; healing arts fee fund.

65-2912 Grounds for refusal, suspension, revocation or limitation of license, certificate or compact privilege; censure; hearing procedure.

65-2913 Representation as physical therapist or physical therapist assistant; prohibitions; exceptions; construction of act.

65-2914 Fraud or deception in application for license; scope of authorized treatment.

65-2916 Penalties for violations of act; injunctive relief.

65-2917 Invalidity of part.

65-2918 Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants practicing in accordance with law not subject to healing arts act.

65-2919 Person holding registration as physical therapist deemed to be licensed physical therapist.

65-2920 Professional liability insurance coverage required as condition to practice physical therapy.

65-2921 Evaluation and treatment by physical therapists; when referral is required; exceptions.

65-2922 Title of the act.

65-2923 Dry needling; requirements to practice; rules and regulations.

65-2924 Fingerprinting of applicant for license; use for identification and criminal history record check; fee.

65-2925 Physical therapy licensure compact.