65-2901. Definitions. As used in the physical therapy practice act:

(a) "Physical therapy" means examining, evaluating and testing individuals with mechanical, anatomical, physiological and developmental impairments, functional limitations and disabilities or other health and movement-related conditions in order to determine a diagnosis solely for physical therapy, prognosis, plan of therapeutic intervention and to assess the ongoing effects of physical therapy intervention. Physical therapy also includes alleviating impairments, functional limitations and disabilities by designing, implementing and modifying therapeutic interventions that may include, but are not limited to, therapeutic exercise; functional training in community or work integration or reintegration; manual therapy; dry needling; therapeutic massage; prescription, application and, as appropriate, fabrication of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, prosthetic, protective and supportive devices and equipment; airway clearance techniques; integumentary protection and repair techniques; debridement and wound care; physical agents or modalities; mechanical and electrotherapeutic modalities; patient-related instruction; reducing the risk of injury, impairments, functional limitations and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health and quality of life in all age populations and engaging in administration, consultation, education and research. Physical therapy also includes the care and services provided by a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to the physical therapy practice act. Physical therapy does not include the use of roentgen rays and radium for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, the use of electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization, the practice of any branch of the healing arts and the making of a medical diagnosis.

(b) "Physical therapist" means a person who is licensed to practice physical therapy pursuant to the physical therapy practice act. Any person who successfully meets the requirements of K.S.A. 65-2906, and amendments thereto, shall be known and designated as a physical therapist and may designate or describe oneself, as appropriate, as a physical therapist, physiotherapist, licensed physical therapist, doctor of physical therapy, abbreviations thereof, or words similar thereto or use of the designated letters P.T., Ph. T., M.P.T., D.P.T. or L.P.T. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit physical therapists licensed under K.S.A. 65-2906 and 65-2909, and amendments thereto, from listing or using in conjunction with their name any letters, words, abbreviations or other insignia to designate any educational degrees, certifications or credentials recognized by the board which such licensee has earned. Each licensee when using the letters or term "Dr." or "Doctor" in conjunction with such licensee's professional practice, whether in any written or oral communication, shall identify oneself as a "physical therapist" or "doctor of physical therapy."

(c) "Physical therapist assistant" means a person who is certified pursuant to the physical therapy practice act and who works under the direction of a physical therapist, and who assists the physical therapist in selected components of physical therapy intervention. Any person who successfully meets the requirements of K.S.A. 65-2906, and amendments thereto, shall be known and designated as a physical therapist assistant, and may designate or describe oneself as a physical therapist assistant, certified physical therapist assistant, abbreviations thereof, or words similar thereto or use of the designated letters P.T.A., C.P.T.A. or P.T. Asst. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit physical therapist assistants certified under K.S.A. 65-2906 and 65-2909, and amendments thereto, from listing or using in conjunction with their name any letters, words, abbreviations or other insignia to designate any educational degrees, certifications or credentials which such physical therapist assistant has earned.

(d) "Board" means the state board of healing arts.

(e) "Council" means the physical therapy advisory council.

(f) "Dry needling" means a skilled intervention using a thin filiform needle to penetrate into or through the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points or muscular or connective tissues for the management of neuromuscular pain or movement impairments.

(g) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery.

(h) "Recognized by the board" means an action taken by the board at an open meeting to recognize letters, words, abbreviations or other insignia to designate any educational degrees, certifications or credentials, consistent with the provisions of this act, which a physical therapist may appropriately use to designate or describe oneself and which shall be published in the official minutes of the board.

(i) "Applicant" means a person who has submitted an application for a license to practice physical therapy or a certificate as a physical therapy assistant.

(j) "Licensee" means a person who holds a license to practice physical therapy or a certificate as a physical therapy assistant.

History: L. 1963, ch. 318, § 1; L. 1973, ch. 253, § 1; L. 1983, ch. 215, § 1; L. 1988, ch. 246, § 19; L. 2003, ch. 128, § 1; L. 2004, ch. 61, § 1; L. 2007, ch. 177, § 19; L. 2011, ch. 114, § 19; L. 2016, ch. 92, § 32; L. 2024, ch. 15, § 56; July 1.