Physical Therapy Board of California.

Existing law, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, establishes the Physical Therapy Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs for the licensure, approval, and regulation of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Existing law, until January 1, 2023, requires the board to enforce and administer the act, and authorizes the board to appoint an executive officer. This bill would extend the board's authority to enforce and administer the act and to appoint an executive officer until January 1, 2027. Existing law authorizes physical therapists to treat persons within the scope of their practice, subject to certain conditions, including that treatment not extend beyond a specified period without approval from a certified physician and surgeon or podiatrist, acting within their scope of practice, following an in-person patient examination and evaluation of the patient's condition. Existing law requires physical therapists to provide notice to their patients, as specified, before providing physical therapy treatment services. This bill would authorize a physician and surgeon or podiatrist to conduct either an in-person or telehealth patient examination and evaluation of the patient's condition in connection with their approval of the physical therapist's plan of care. The bill would also make conforming changes to the required patient notice.