SB448 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Physical therapists, referral by physician or dentist, requirement removed, Secs. 34-24-191, 34-24-211, 34-24-217 am'd.

Summary

SB448 would remove the mandatory physician or dentist referral for physical therapists to practice in Alabama and set new licensure requirements and rules for treating patients without a referral.

What This Bill Does

The bill eliminates the requirement that physical therapy must be done only with a referral from a physician or dentist. It also strengthens licensure qualifications for physical therapists and establishes responsibilities for those who evaluate or treat patients without a referral, including notifying a patient’s physician within seven business days and referring the patient if there is no substantial progress after 45 days or if treatment is outside the scope of physical therapy.

Who It Affects

• Licensed physical therapists — can treat patients without a prior referral but must meet new licensure standards and follow the new evaluation/treatment responsibilities.
• Patients receiving physical therapy — may be treated without a referral, but therapists must inform their physician and refer if progress stalls or if symptoms indicate a condition outside physical therapy's scope.
• Physicians and dentists — must be informed when a patient is treated by a physical therapist without a referral and may be involved in follow-up care through referrals when needed.

Key Provisions

• Deletes the requirement that physical therapy must be performed only upon the referral of a physician and a dentist to practice physical therapy.
• Sets licensure qualifications: an applicant must have a master’s or doctorate in physical therapy, or a bachelor’s degree plus at least four years of practice; applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legally present in the U.S.
• Establishes responsibilities for therapists who evaluate/treat without referral: (a) inform the patient’s physician within seven business days, (b) if no substantial progress is made within 45 days, consult with or refer to a licensed physician or dentist unless treatment is for fitness/wellness/prevention, and (c) refer when symptoms indicate contraindication or outside the scope of physical therapy.
• Maintains disciplinary grounds for misconduct, including failing to refer when appropriate or practicing outside the scope of physical therapy, with potential license denial, suspension, or revocation.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Physical Therapy, Board of