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225 ILCS 90/ Illinois Physical Therapy Act.

    (225 ILCS 90/0.05)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 0.05. Legislative Intent. This Act is enacted for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare, and for providing for State administrative control, supervision, licensure, and regulation of the practice of physical therapy. It is the legislature's intent that only individuals who meet and maintain prescribed standards of competence and conduct may engage in the practice of physical therapy as authorized by this Act. This Act shall be liberally construed to promote the public interest and to accomplish the purpose stated herein. This Act does not prohibit a person licensed under any other Act in this State from engaging in the practice for which he or she is licensed or from delegating services as provided for under that other Act.
(Source: P.A. 92‑350, eff. 8‑15‑01.)

    (225 ILCS 90/1)(from Ch. 111, par. 4251)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 1. Definitions. As used in this Act:
    (1) "Physical therapy" means all of the following:
        (A) Examining, evaluating, and testing individuals

who may have mechanical, physiological, or developmental impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or other health and movement‑related conditions, classifying these disorders, determining a rehabilitation prognosis and plan of therapeutic intervention, and assessing the on‑going effects of the interventions.

(B) Alleviating impairments, functional limitations,

or disabilities by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions that may include, but are not limited to, the evaluation or treatment of a person through the use of the effective properties of physical measures and heat, cold, light, water, radiant energy, electricity, sound, and air and use of therapeutic massage, therapeutic exercise, mobilization, and rehabilitative procedures, with or without assistive devices, for the purposes of preventing, correcting, or alleviating a physical or mental impairment, functional limitation, or disability.

(C) Reducing the risk of injury, impairment,

functional limitation, or disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and wellness.

(D) Engaging in administration, consultation,

education, and research.

Physical therapy includes, but is not limited to: (a)

performance of specialized tests and measurements, (b) administration of specialized treatment procedures, (c) interpretation of referrals from physicians, dentists, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and podiatrists, (d) establishment, and modification of physical therapy treatment programs, (e) administration of topical medication used in generally accepted physical therapy procedures when such medication is prescribed by the patient's physician, licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, the patient's physician licensed to practice podiatric medicine, the patient's advanced practice nurse, the patient's physician assistant, or the patient's dentist, and (f) supervision or teaching of physical therapy. Physical therapy does not include radiology, electrosurgery, chiropractic technique or determination of a differential diagnosis; provided, however, the limitation on determining a differential diagnosis shall not in any manner limit a physical therapist licensed under this Act from performing an evaluation pursuant to such license. Nothing in this Section shall limit a physical therapist from employing appropriate physical therapy techniques that he or she is educated and licensed to perform. A physical therapist shall refer to a licensed physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, dentist, or podiatrist any patient whose medical condition should, at the time of evaluation or treatment, be determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the physical therapist.

(2) "Physical therapist" means a person who practices physical therapy and who has met all requirements as provided in this Act.     (3) "Department" means the Department of Professional Regulation.     (4) "Director" means the Director of Professional Regulation.     (5) "Board" means the Physical Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board approved by the Director.     (6) "Referral" means a written or oral authorization for physical therapy services for a patient by a physician, dentist, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or podiatrist who maintains medical supervision of the patient and makes a diagnosis or verifies that the patient's condition is such that it may be treated by a physical therapist.     (7) "Documented current and relevant diagnosis" for the purpose of this Act means a diagnosis, substantiated by signature or oral verification of a physician, dentist, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or podiatrist, that a patient's condition is such that it may be treated by physical therapy as defined in this Act, which diagnosis shall remain in effect until changed by the physician, dentist, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or podiatrist.     (8) "State" includes:         (a) the states of the United States of America;         (b) the District of Columbia; and         (c) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.     (9) "Physical therapist assistant" means a person licensed to assist a physical therapist and who has met all requirements as provided in this Act and who works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist to assist in implementing the physical therapy treatment program as established by the licensed physical therapist. The patient care activities provided by the physical therapist assistant shall not include the interpretation of referrals, evaluation procedures, or the planning or major modification of patient programs.     (10) "Physical therapy aide" means a person who has received on the job training, specific to the facility in which he is employed, but who has not completed an approved physical therapist assistant program.     (11) "Advanced practice nurse" means a person licensed under the Nurse Practice Act who has a collaborative agreement with a collaborating physician that authorizes referrals to physical therapists.     (12) "Physician assistant" means a person licensed under the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 who has been delegated authority to make referrals to physical therapists. (Source: P.A. 94‑651, eff. 1‑1‑06; 95‑639, eff. 10‑5‑07.)

    (225 ILCS 90/2)(from Ch. 111, par. 4252)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 2. Licensure requirement; exempt activities. Practice without a license forbidden ‑ exception. No person shall after the date of August 31, 1965 begin to practice physical therapy in this State or hold himself out as being able to practice this profession, unless he is licensed as such in accordance with the provisions of this Act. After the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1990, no person shall practice or hold himself out as a physical therapist assistant unless he is licensed as such under this Act. A physical therapist shall use the initials "PT" in connection with his or her name to denote licensure under this Act, and a physical therapist assistant shall use the initials "PTA" in connection with his or her name to denote licensure under this Act.
    This Act does not prohibit:
        (1) Any person licensed in this State under any

other Act from engaging in the practice for which he is licensed.

(2) The practice of physical therapy by those

persons, practicing under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and who have met all of the qualifications as provided in Sections 7, 8.1, and 9 of this Act, until the next examination is given for physical therapists or physical therapist assistants and the results have been received by the Department and the Department has determined the applicant's eligibility for a license. Anyone failing to pass said examination shall not again practice physical therapy until such time as an examination has been successfully passed by such person.

(3) The practice of physical therapy for a period

not exceeding 6 months by a person who is in this State on a temporary basis to assist in a case of medical emergency or to engage in a special physical therapy project, and who meets the qualifications for a physical therapist as set forth in Sections 7 and 8 of this Act and is licensed in another state as a physical therapist.

(4) Practice of physical therapy by qualified

persons who have filed for endorsement for no longer than one year or until such time that notification of licensure has been granted or denied, whichever period of time is lesser.

(5) One or more licensed physical therapists from

forming a professional service corporation under the provisions of the "Professional Service Corporation Act", approved September 15, 1969, as now or hereafter amended, and licensing such corporation for the practice of physical therapy.

(6) Physical therapy aides from performing patient

care activities under the on‑site supervision of a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant. These patient care activities shall not include interpretation of referrals, evaluation procedures, the planning of or major modifications of, patient programs.

(7) Physical Therapist Assistants from performing

patient care activities under the general supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist must maintain continual contact with the physical therapist assistant including periodic personal supervision and instruction to insure the safety and welfare of the patient.

(8) The practice of physical therapy by a physical

therapy student or a physical therapist assistant student under the on‑site supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist shall be readily available for direct supervision and instruction to insure the safety and welfare of the patient.

(9) The practice of physical therapy as part of an

educational program by a physical therapist licensed in another state or country for a period not to exceed 6 months.

(10) The practice, services, or activities of

persons practicing the specified occupations set forth in subsection (a) of, and pursuant to a licensing exemption granted in subsection (b) or (d) of, Section 2105‑350 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, but only for so long as the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Professional Licensure Exemption Law is operable.

(Source: P.A. 96‑7, eff. 4‑3‑09.)

    (225 ILCS 90/3)(from Ch. 111, par. 4253)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 3. Powers and duties of the Department. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Department shall:
    1. Prescribe rules defining what constitutes a curriculum for physical therapy that is reputable and in good standing.
    2. Adopt rules providing for the establishment of a uniform and reasonable standard of instruction and maintenance to be observed by all curricula for physical therapy which are approved by the Department; and determine the reputability and good standing of such curricula for physical therapy by reference to compliance with such rules, provided that no school of physical therapy that refuses admittance to applicants solely on account of race, color, creed, sex or national origin shall be considered reputable and in good standing.
    3. Prescribe and publish rules for a method of examination of candidates for licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapist assistants and for issuance of licenses authorizing candidates upon passing examination to practice as licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapist assistants.
    4. Review application to ascertain the qualifications of applicants for licenses.
    5. Authorize examinations to ascertain the qualifications of those applicants who require such examinations as a component of a license.
    6. Conduct hearings on proceedings to refuse to issue licenses and to discipline persons who are licensed under this Act and refuse to issue such licenses, and to discipline such licensees, or to refuse to issue a license to any person who has practiced physical therapy in violation of this Act, prior to applying for a license.
    7. Formulate rules required for the administration of this Act.
    8. Maintain a list of licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapist assistants authorized to practice in the State. This list shall show the name of every licensee, his last known place of residence and the date and number of his or her license. Any interested person in the State may obtain a copy of that list on application to the Department and payment of the required fee.
    9. Exercise the powers and duties prescribed by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois for the administration of licensing Acts.
(Source: P.A. 91‑357, eff. 7‑29‑99.)

    (225 ILCS 90/4)(from Ch. 111, par. 4254)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 4. Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is hereby expressly adopted and incorporated herein as if all of the provisions of that Act were included in this Act, except that the provision of subsection (d) of Section 10‑65 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act that provides that at hearings the licensee has the right to show compliance with all lawful requirements for retention, or continuation or renewal of the license is specifically excluded. For the purposes of this Act the notice required under Section 10‑25 of the Administrative Procedure Act is deemed sufficient when mailed to the last known address of a party.
(Source: P.A. 88‑45.)

(225 ILCS 90/5) (from Ch. 111, par. 4255)     Sec. 5. (Repealed). (Source: P.A. 85‑342. Repealed by P.A. 89‑387, eff. 8‑20‑95.)

    (225 ILCS 90/6)(from Ch. 111, par. 4256)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 6. Duties and functions of Director and Board. The Director shall appoint a Physical Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board as follows: Seven persons who shall be appointed by and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Director. Six members must be actively engaged in the practice of physical therapy in this State for a minimum of 5 years and one member must be a member of the public who is not licensed under this Act, or a similar Act of another jurisdiction.
    Members shall serve 4 year terms and until their successors are appointed and qualified. No member shall be reappointed to the Board for a term which would cause his continuous service on the Board to be longer than 9 successive years. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the same manner as original appointments, for the unexpired portion of the vacated term.
    For the initial appointment of the Board, the Director shall give priority to filling the public member terms as vacancies become available.
    Members of the Board shall be immune from suit in any action based upon any disciplinary proceedings or other activities performed in good faith as members of the Board.
    A vacancy in the membership of the Board shall not impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the Board.
    The members of the Board are entitled to receive as compensation a reasonable sum as determined by the Director for each day actually engaged in the duties of the office and all legitimate and necessary expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the Board.
    The membership of the Board should reasonably reflect representation from the geographic areas in this State.
    The Director may terminate the appointment of any member for cause which in the opinion of the Director reasonably justifies such termination.
    The Director shall consider the recommendations of the Board on questions involving standards of professional conduct, discipline and qualifications of candidates and licensees under this Act.
    Nothing shall limit the ability of the Board to provide recommendations to the Director in regard to any matter affecting the administration of this Act. The Director shall give due consideration to all recommendations of the Board. If the Director takes action contrary to a recommendation of the Board, the Director shall promptly provide a written explanation of that action.
(Source: P.A. 94‑651, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

(225 ILCS 90/7) (from Ch. 111, par. 4257)     Sec. 7. (Repealed). (Source: P.A. 86‑1396. Repealed by P.A. 89‑387, eff. 8‑20‑95.)

    (225 ILCS 90/8)(from Ch. 111, par. 4258)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 8. Qualifications for licensure as a Physical Therapist.
    (a) A person is qualified to receive a license as a physical therapist if that person has applied in writing, on forms prescribed by the Department, has paid the required fees, and meets all of the following requirements:
        (1) He or she is at least 18 years of age and of

good moral character. In determining moral character, the Department may take into consideration any felony conviction of the applicant, but such a conviction shall not operate automatically as a complete bar to a license.

(2) He or she has graduated from a curriculum in

physical therapy approved by the Department. In approving a curriculum in physical therapy, the Department shall consider, but not be bound by, accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. A person who graduated from a physical therapy program outside the United States or its territories shall have his or her degree validated as equivalent to a physical therapy degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. The Department may establish by rule a method for the completion of course deficiencies.

(3) He or she has passed an examination approved by

the Department to determine his fitness for practice as a physical therapist, or is entitled to be licensed without examination as provided in Sections 10 and 11 of this Act. A person who graduated from a physical therapy program outside the United States or its territories and whose first language is not English shall submit certification of passage of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) as defined by rule prior to taking the licensure examination.

(b) The Department reserves the right and may request a personal interview of an applicant before the Board to further evaluate his or her qualifications for a license. (Source: P.A. 94‑651, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

    (225 ILCS 90/8.1)(from Ch. 111, par. 4258.1)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 8.1. Qualifications for licensure as a physical therapist assistant. A person is qualified to receive a license as a physical therapist assistant if that person has applied in writing, on forms prescribed by the Department, has paid the required fees and:
        (1) Is at least 18 years of age and of good moral

character. In determining moral character, the Department may take into consideration any felony conviction of the applicant, but such a conviction shall not operate automatically as a complete bar to a license;

(2) Has graduated from a physical therapist

assistant program approved by the Department and attained, at a minimum, an associate's degree from the program. In approving such a physical therapist assistant program the Department shall consider but not be bound by accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Any person who graduated from a physical therapist assistant program outside the United States or its territories shall have his or her degree validated as equivalent to a physical therapy assistant degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. The Department may establish by rule a method for the completion of course deficiencies; and

(3) Has successfully completed the examination

authorized by the Department. A person who graduated from a physical therapist assistant program outside the United States or its territories and whose first language is not English shall submit certification of passage of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) as defined by rule prior to taking the licensure examination.

(Source: P.A. 94‑651, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

    (225 ILCS 90/8.5)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 8.5. Social Security Number on license application. In addition to any other information required to be contained in the application, every application for an original, renewal, or restored license under this Act shall include the applicant's Social Security Number.
(Source: P.A. 90‑144, eff. 7‑23‑97.)

(225 ILCS 90/9) (from Ch. 111, par. 4259)     Sec. 9. (Repealed). (Source: P.A. 86‑1396. Repealed by P.A. 89‑387, eff. 8‑20‑95.)

(225 ILCS 90/10) (from Ch. 111, par. 4260)     Sec. 10. (Repealed). (Source: P.A. 84‑595. Repealed by P.A. 89‑387, eff. 8‑20‑95.)

    (225 ILCS 90/11)(from Ch. 111, par. 4261)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 11. Endorsement. The Department may, in its discretion, license as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, without examination, on payment of the required fee, an applicant for a license who is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, as the case may be, licensed under the laws of another state if the requirements for a license of physical therapists or physical therapist assistant in the state in which the applicant was licensed were at the date of his or her licensure substantially equal to the requirements in force in this State on that date. The Department may waive the English proficiency examination by rule.
    Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee forfeited and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.
(Source: P.A. 89‑387, eff. 1‑1‑96.)

    (225 ILCS 90/12)(from Ch. 111, par. 4262)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 12. Examinations. The Department shall examine applicants for licenses as physical therapists or physical therapist assistants at such times and places as it may determine. At least 2 written examinations shall be given during each calendar year for both physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The examination shall be approved by the Department.
    Following notification of eligibility for examination, an applicant who fails to take the examination for a license under this Act within 60 days of the notification shall forfeit his or her fee and his or her right to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant until such time as the applicant has passed the appropriate examination. Any applicant failing the examination three times in any jurisdiction will not be allowed to sit for another examination until the applicant has presented satisfactory evidence to the Board of appropriate remedial work as set forth in the rules and regulations.
    If an applicant neglects, fails or refuses to take an examination or fails to pass an examination for a license or otherwise fails to complete the application process under this Act within 3 years after filing his application, the application shall be denied. However, such applicant may make a new application for examination accompanied by the required fee, and must furnish proof of meeting qualifications for examination in effect at the time of new application.
(Source: P.A. 94‑651, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

(225 ILCS 90/13) (from Ch. 111, par. 4263)     Sec. 13. (Repealed). (Source: P.A. 86‑1396. Repealed by P.A. 89‑387, eff. 8‑20‑95.)

    (225 ILCS 90/14)(from Ch. 111, par. 4264)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 14. Renewal of licenses. The expiration date and renewal period for each license issued under this Act shall be set by rule. The holder of a license may renew such license during the month preceding the expiration date thereof by paying the required fee.
(Source: P.A. 84‑595.)

    (225 ILCS 90/14.1)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 14.1. Continuing education renewal requirements. The Department shall promulgate rules concerning continuing education for persons licensed under this Act that require 40 hours of continuing education per license renewal cycle for a physical therapist and 20 hours of continuing education per license renewal cycle for a physical therapist assistant. In establishing these rules, the Department shall consider education required for the 2 categories of licensees to maintain current knowledge and understanding of their respective scope of practice, professional ethics, and standards of care, as described in this Act, and in material provided by relevant professional associations. The Department shall also consider the educational requirements for board certification in physical therapy specialty areas, requirements for advanced clinical or academic degrees related to physical therapy, requirements for attaining advanced skills specific to particular practice environments and patient populations, and the educational needs related to special interest groups within the professions. These rules shall assure that licensees are given the opportunity to participate in those programs sponsored by or through their professional associations, hospitals, or employers and which are relevant to their practice. These rules shall also address variances for illness or hardship. Each licensee is responsible for maintaining records of completion of continuing education and shall be prepared to produce the records when requested by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 92‑350, eff. 8‑15‑01.)

    (225 ILCS 90/15)(from Ch. 111, par. 4265)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2016)
    Sec. 15. Restoration of expired licenses. A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who has permitted his or her license to expire or who has had his or her license on inactive status may have his or her

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