Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 5-40 - Physical Therapists
Section 5-40-9. - Right of use of the title of physical therapist.

§ 5-40-9. Right of use of the title of physical therapist.
(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 “PT” or the term “physical 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 “physical therapy,” “physical therapist,” “registered physical therapist,” the letters “PT,” “DPT,” “LPT,” “RPT,” “SPT,” 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 “physical 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 “physical 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 “G.P.T.” shall be used to identify a “graduate physical therapist” authorized to perform as a graduate physical therapist pursuant to this chapter.
(d) A physical therapist assistant shall use the letters “PTA” immediately following his or her name to designate licensure under this chapter.
(e) A person shall not use the title “physical therapist assistant” or “graduate physical therapist assistant” and the letters “PTA” or “GPTA,” 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.
History of Section.P.L. 1982, ch. 261, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 359, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 130, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 312, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 308, art. 1, § 19.

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