Reasons for Discipline

A physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA) can be disciplined for a number of reasons, the most serious categories are:

• Sexual Misconduct . . .
  
  • Sexual Misconduct is prohibited in the practice of physical therapy.
  • Section 2660.1 of the Business and Professions Code states, "A patient, client or customer of a licentiate under this chapter is conclusively presumed incapable of giving free, full and informed consent to any sexual activity which is a violation of Section 726.
• Gross Negligence . . .
  
  • Gross negligence is an extreme departure from accepted standards of practice.
• Repeated negligent acts . . .
  
  • Negligent acts that are not an extreme departure from accepted standards of practice, but are still negligent.
• Incompetence. . .
  
  • If a PT or PTA is found to be performing procedures that are beyond his or her training or expertise, or continuing to use a procedure that is unnecessary or obsolete.
• Aiding and Abetting the practice of physical therapy. . .
  
  • The PT's inappropriate supervision of PTA's and physical therapy aides. The PT aide is an unlicensed person who aids a PT in his or her practice and must be supervised at all times by the PT; the PTA assists the PT in his or her practice but cannot practice autonomously.
• Billing Fraud, Dishonesty. . .
  
  • Billing for services not provided
  • Dishonesty, including filing fraudulent insurance claims
• Convictions reported to the PTBC from Department of Justice and/or other agencies
  
  • Misdemeanors, Felonies

Email the Consumer Protection Program: cps@dca.ca.gov