FILED SENATE
Apr 3, 2019
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
S.B. 574
SESSION 2019 PRINCIPAL CLERK
S D
SENATE BILL DRS55061-NB-53A*
Short Title: Modify Physical Therapy Definition. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators J. Davis, Krawiec, and Woodard (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT UPDATING THE DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL THERAPY TO EXCLUDE THE
3 PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC AND TO INCLUDE MANIPULATION OF THE SPINE
4 WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION FROM A PHYSICIAN LICENSED TO PRACTICE
5 MEDICINE IN THIS STATE.
6 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
7 SECTION 1. G.S. 90-270.90(4) reads as rewritten:
8 "(4) "Physical therapy" means the evaluation or treatment of any person by the use
9 of physical, chemical, or other properties of heat, light, water, electricity,
10 sound, massage, or therapeutic exercise, or other rehabilitative procedures,
11 with or without assistive devices, for the purposes of preventing, correcting,
12 or alleviating a physical or mental disability. Physical therapy includes the
13 performance of specialized tests of neuromuscular function, administration of
14 specialized therapeutic procedures, interpretation and implementation of
15 referrals from licensed medical doctors or dentists, and establishment and
16 modification of physical therapy programs for patients. Evaluation and
17 treatment of patients may involve physical measures, methods, or procedures
18 as are found commensurate with physical therapy education and training and
19 generally or specifically authorized by regulations of the Board. Physical
20 therapy education and training shall include study of the skeletal
21 manifestations of systemic disease. Physical therapy does not include the
22 application of roentgen rays or radioactive materials, surgery, manipulation of
23 the spine unless prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in
24 North Carolina, the practice of chiropractic, as defined by G.S. 90-143, or
25 medical diagnosis of disease."
26 SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2019.
*DRS55061-NB-53A*


Statutes affected:
Filed: 90-270.90
Edition 1: 90-270.90
Edition 2: 18C-110, 18C-111, 18C-112, 18C-115, 18C-114, 18C-120, 18C-122, 18B-500
Edition 3: 18C-110, 18C-111, 18C-112, 18C-115, 18C-114, 18C-120, 18C-122, 18B-500