AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current statute protects the words "physical therapy," "physical therapist," "physiotherapy," "physiotherapist," "licensed physical therapist," "registered physical therapist," and "physical therapist assistant" and the letters "PT," "PhT," "LPT," "RPT," and "PTA."
The purpose of this legislation is to also codify the terms doctor of physical therapy (DPT) and master of physical therapy (MPT) as the education level has increased since the last time the statute was updated.
A DPT degree is a post-baccalaureate three-year to four-year degree that may be conferred upon successful completion of a professional doctoral program. A transitional doctor of physical therapy degree is also offered for those who already hold a professional MPT degree. All 12 of the accredited physical therapist programs in Texas are DPT programs. Texas DPT graduates are eligible for the same PT license examination in all 50 states.
The term DPT, as well as MPT, are not generic terms, much like physical therapy (PT). A great deal of education and training goes with the terms DPT and MPT. As with current statute that codifies (and thereby protects) terms solely dedicated to the physical therapy profession, the terms DPT and MPT should be codified. They, too, solely represent the physical therapy profession.
Ensuring that these terms are protected will also assist the public by not creating confusion if another profession were to utilize the terms DPT and/or MPT. Most professionals have their terms protected already, including chiropractors (DC), physicians (MD, DO), dentists (DDS, DMD), and podiatrists (DPM).
This bill ensures that the terms DPT and MPT are also codified and protected just terms are protected for most other professions.
As proposed, S.B. 1099 amends current law relating to the use of certain designations by a physical therapist.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 453.201(d), Occupations Code, to prohibit a person, including the person's employee or other agent or representative, unless the person is a physical therapist, from using in connection with the person's name or business activity certain words, letters, abbreviations, or other insignia, including the letters "DPT" or "MPT."
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2013.