PUBLIC HEALTH CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 368 of 1978
Part 178
PHYSICAL THERAPY


333.17801 Definitions; principles of construction.

Sec. 17801.

    (1) As used in this part:
    (a) "Physical therapist" means an individual licensed under this article to engage in the practice of physical therapy.
    (b) "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual with a health profession subfield license under this part who assists a physical therapist in physical therapy intervention.
    (c) "Practice as physical therapist assistant" means the practice of physical therapy performed under the supervision of a physical therapist licensed under this part.
    (d) "Practice of physical therapy" means the evaluation of, education of, consultation with, or treatment of an individual by the employment of effective properties of physical measures and the use of therapeutic exercises and rehabilitative procedures, with or without assistive devices, for the purpose of preventing, correcting, or alleviating a physical or mental disability. Physical therapy includes treatment planning, performance of tests and measurements, interpretation of referrals, initiation of referrals, instruction, consultative services, and supervision of personnel. Physical measures include massage, mobilization, heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, and sound. Practice of physical therapy does not include the identification of underlying medical problems or etiologies, establishment of medical diagnoses, or the prescribing of treatment.
    (2) In addition to the definitions in this part, article 1 contains general definitions and principles of construction applicable to all articles in this code and part 161 contains definitions applicable to this part.


History: 1978, Act 368, Eff. Sept. 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 177, Imd. Eff. June 9, 1982 ;-- Am. 1987, Act 213, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1987 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2009
Compiler's Notes: For transfer of powers and duties of certain health-related functions, boards, and commissions from the Department of Licensing and Regulation to the Department of Commerce, see E.R.O. No. 1991-9, compiled at MCL 338.3501 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17819 Practice of physical therapy or physical therapist assistant; activities; scope of practice.

Sec. 17819.

    This part does not prohibit an individual licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized to engage in a health profession under any other part or any other act from performing activities that are considered the practice of physical therapy or the practice as a physical therapist assistant so long as those activities are within the individual's scope of practice and the individual does not use the words, titles, or letters protected under section 17820.


History: Add. 2010, Act 382, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 2010
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17820 Practice of physical therapy or physical therapist assistant; license or authorization required; engaging in treatment with or without prescription of certain license holders; use of words, titles, or letters.

Sec. 17820.

    (1) An individual shall not engage in the practice of physical therapy or practice as a physical therapist assistant unless licensed or otherwise authorized under this part. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall engage in the treatment of a patient if that treatment is prescribed by a health care professional who is an advanced practice registered nurse as that term is defined in section 17201, or who holds a license issued under part 166, 170, 175, or 180, or an equivalent license issued by another state. A physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant may engage in the treatment of a patient without the prescription of a health care professional who is an advanced practice registered nurse as that term is defined in section 17201, or who holds a license issued under part 166, 170, 175, or 180, or an equivalent license issued by another state, under either of the following circumstances:
    (a) For 21 days or 10 treatments, whichever first occurs. However, a physical therapist shall determine that the patient's condition requires physical therapy before delegating physical therapy interventions to a physical therapist assistant.
    (b) The patient is seeking physical therapy services for the purpose of preventing injury or promoting fitness.
    (2) The following words, titles, or letters or a combination of words, titles, or letters, with or without qualifying words or phrases, are restricted in use only to those persons authorized under this part to use the terms and in a way prescribed in this part: "physical therapy", "physical therapist", "doctor of physiotherapy", "doctor of physical therapy", "physiotherapist", "physiotherapy", "registered physical therapist", "licensed physical therapist", "physical therapy technician", "physical therapist assistant", "physical therapy assistant", "physiotherapist assistant", "physiotherapy assistant", "p.t. assistant", "p.t.", "r.p.t.", "l.p.t.", "c.p.t.", "d.p.t.", "m.p.t.", "p.t.a.", "registered p.t.a.", "licensed p.t.a.", "certified p.t.a.", "c.p.t.a.", "l.p.t.a.", "r.p.t.a.", and "p.t.t.".


History: 1978, Act 368, Eff. Sept. 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 177, Imd. Eff. June 9, 1982 ;-- Am. 1987, Act 213, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1987 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 281, Imd. Eff. Dec. 19, 2005 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 387, Imd. Eff. Sept. 27, 2006 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2009 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 260, Eff. Jan. 1, 2015 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 499, Eff. Apr. 9, 2017
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17821 Michigan board of physical therapy; creation; membership; terms.

Sec. 17821.

    (1) The Michigan board of physical therapy is created in the department and shall consist of the following 11 voting members who shall meet the requirements of part 161: 6 physical therapists, 1 physical therapist assistant, and 4 public members.
    (2) The terms of office of the individual members of the board created under this section, except those appointed to fill vacancies, expire 4 years after appointment on December 31 of the year in which the term expires.


History: 1978, Act 368, Eff. Sept. 30, 1978 ;-- Am. 1993, Act 79, Eff. Apr. 1, 1994 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 387, Imd. Eff. Sept. 27, 2006 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2009
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17822 Physical therapist; practice in hospital; condition.

Sec. 17822.

    This part does not prohibit a hospital, as a condition of employment or the granting of staff privileges, from requiring that a physical therapist perform activities within his or her scope of practice in the hospital if that treatment is prescribed by an individual who is an advanced practice registered nurse as that term is defined in section 17201, or who holds a license issued under part 166, 170, 175, or 180, or an equivalent license issued by another state.


History: Add. 1987, Act 213, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1987 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 281, Imd. Eff. Dec. 19, 2005 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 499, Eff. Apr. 9, 2017
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17823 Professional development requirements; rules.

Sec. 17823.

    The department, in consultation with the board, shall promulgate rules to establish professional development requirements for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Notwithstanding the requirements of part 161, beginning the license year after the effective date of the rules promulgated under this subsection, an individual shall meet the professional development requirements established under this subsection. The department, in consultation with the board, shall promulgate rules to require licensees seeking renewal to furnish evidence acceptable to the department and the board of the successful completion, during the preceding license term, of those professional development requirements.


History: Add. 2009, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2009
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17824 Treatment of patient upon or without prescription of health care professional; duties of physical therapist.

Sec. 17824.

    (1) A physical therapist who is treating a patient upon the prescription of a health care professional as described in section 17820 shall do all of the following, as applicable:
    (a) Refer the patient back to the health care professional who issued the prescription for treatment if the physical therapist has reasonable cause to believe that symptoms or conditions are present that require services beyond the scope of practice of physical therapy.
    (b) Consult with the health care professional who issued the prescription for treatment if the patient does not show reasonable response to treatment in a time period consistent with the standards of practice as determined by the board.
    (2) A physical therapist who is treating a patient without a prescription from a health care professional under the conditions authorized in section 17820 shall do all of the following, as applicable:
    (a) Refer the patient to an appropriate health care professional for treatment if the physical therapist has reasonable cause to believe that symptoms or conditions are present that require services beyond the scope of practice of physical therapy.
    (b) Consult with an appropriate health care professional if the patient does not show reasonable response to treatment in a time period consistent with the standards of practice as determined by the board.


History: Add. 2009, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2009 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 260, Eff. Jan. 1, 2015
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17825 Third party reimbursement or mandated worker's compensation benefits.

Sec. 17825.

    This part does not require new or additional third party reimbursement or mandated worker's compensation benefits for physical therapy services and does not preclude a third party payer from requiring a member or enrollee to fulfill benefit requirements for physical therapy services, including, but not limited to, prescription, referral, or preapproval when services are rendered by an individual licensed or otherwise authorized under this part.


History: Add. 2009, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2009
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17826 Physical therapist assistant; licensure requirements; approval of physical therapist assistant training program.

Sec. 17826.

    (1) An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist assistant shall meet the requirements of section 16174 and, except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), all of the following requirements, as applicable:
    (a) Is a graduate of a program for the training of physical therapist assistants approved by the board.
    (b) If graduated from a program described in subdivision (a) after January 1, 2008, has passed an examination approved by the board.
    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), the board shall approve a physical therapist assistant training program from the United States military or from outside of the United States if that training program is determined to be substantially equivalent to physical therapist assistant entry level training in the United States by a credentials evaluation organization approved by the American physical therapy association or is listed as a credentialing organization in 8 CFR 212.15(e).


History: Add. 2009, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2009
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17827 Limited license; effectiveness.

Sec. 17827.

    Beginning on the effective date of this section and ending on the effective date of rules promulgated regarding the issuance of licenses to physical therapist assistants under this part, the board shall grant a limited license to an applicant who is a graduate of a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the commission on accreditation in physical therapy education. A limited license issued under this section is effective until the board formally issues or denies a license to the applicant.


History: Add. 2009, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2009
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17829 Standards of practice for services involving vaginal or anal penetration; promulgation of rules.

Sec. 17829.

    The department may promulgate rules that provide guidance to licensees on generally accepted standards of practice for services involving vaginal or anal penetration, including internal pelvic floor treatments. If the department promulgates rules under this section, the department shall consult with appropriate professional associations and other interested stakeholders.
    
    


History: Add. 2023, Act 62, Eff. Oct. 10, 2023
Popular Name: Act 368





333.17831 Repealed. 1987, Act 213, Imd. Eff. Dec. 22, 1987.


Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided penalties.
Popular Name: Act 368



Rendered 8/15/2025 5:52 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov