SB25 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Physical therapy, eliminate requirement for referral from physician or other health care practitioner to perform physical therapy, Secs. 34-24-191, 34-24-210.1, 34-24-217 am'd.

Summary

SB 25 would remove the general referral requirement for physical therapy, allowing licensed physical therapists to provide PT without a referral in many circumstances, with some exceptions.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes Alabama law to lift the blanket rule that physical therapy must be done only after a referral from a licensed health care practitioner. It lets licensed physical therapists perform initial evaluations and provide physical therapy without prescription or referral in several settings, including care for children with developmental disabilities, home health, nursing homes, wellness/fitness activities, and previously diagnosed conditions with a plan of care (plan of care and related steps must be documented). For all other cases, physical therapy still relies on a referral from an appropriate licensed practitioner. The change takes effect after a set period once the bill is enacted.

Who It Affects

• Licensed physical therapists would have greater freedom to start and continue physical therapy without a prior referral, subject to the specified exceptions and plan-of-care requirements.
• Patients needing physical therapy could gain faster access in more settings (such as home health and nursing homes) and potentially begin treatment sooner, though some situations still require a referral.

Key Provisions

• Amends sections to remove the explicit prohibition on practicing physical therapy without a referral, allowing exceptions under the chapter.
• Preserves no-referral allowances in §34-24-210.1 for specific cases: initial evaluation or screening without prescription/referral, plus listed services in (b) (developmental disability in children under plan, home health under plan, nursing home under plan, wellness/fitness-related work, and treatment of previously diagnosed conditions with a plan of care, with care plan provided within 15 days).
• For cases not covered by these exceptions, physical therapy would still require a referral from a physician, dentist, licensed chiropractor, licensed physician assistant under supervision, or licensed NP in collaborative practice with a physician.
• The act includes standard license discipline provisions and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Physical Therapists