Pennsylvania Act 2026-12 — PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE ACT - PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Act text

Session of 2026

No. 2026-12

HB 1251

AN ACT

Amending the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), entitled "An act relating to the practice of physical therapy," further providing for definitions and for practice of physical therapy.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The definition of "physician assistant" in section 2 of the act of October 10, 1975 (P.L.383, No.110), known as the Physical Therapy Practice Act, is amended and the section is amended by adding a definition to read:

Section 2. Definitions.--The following definitions shall apply, when used in this act, unless otherwise expressed therein:

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"Midwife" means an individual licensed under the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the "Medical Practice Act of 1985."

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"Physician assistant" means an individual as defined in the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the "Osteopathic Medical Practice Act," or the [act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the] "Medical Practice Act of 1985."

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Section 2. Section 9(a) of the act is amended to read:

Section 9. Practice of Physical Therapy.--(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), no individual licensed under this act as a physical therapist shall treat human ailments by physical therapy or otherwise except by the referral of an individual licensed as a physician, a licensed physician assistant practicing pursuant to a written agreement with a physician or a certified registered nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to a collaborative agreement with a physician; however, a physical therapist shall be permitted to accept the referral of a licensed dentist [or] , podiatrist[,] or midwife for the treatment of a condition that is within the scope of practice of dentistry [or] , podiatry or midwifery . Nothing in this act shall be construed as authorization for a physical therapist to practice any branch of the healing arts except as described in this act. For purposes of this section, relating to referrals, a licensed physician, dentist [or] , podiatrist or midwife means an individual holding an active license in this Commonwealth, the District of Columbia or any other state or United States territory.

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Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 6th day of May, A.D. 2026.

JOSH SHAPIRO