Bill No. 808, introduced by Senators Reinhardt and Harris, amends Section 887.17 of the Physical Therapy Practice Act in Oklahoma. The bill clarifies that licensed physical therapists, including those operating under direct-to-employer contracts, may evaluate and treat patients without a referral for up to thirty days, with treatment by physical therapist assistants allowed under supervision. It also updates the language regarding referrals, specifying that referrals can come from licensed physicians, physician assistants, and now explicitly includes doctors of dentistry, chiropractic, podiatry, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, limited to their respective areas of practice.

Additionally, the bill allows physical therapists to provide services to children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act and the Rehabilitation Act without a physician referral, treating the plan of care as a prescription for these services. It maintains that physical therapists can perform screenings and educational procedures without referrals and engage in fitness, wellness, or preventive services unrelated to injury treatment. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.