DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS for

Title 17 District of Columbia Municipal Regulations

DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIA

MUNICIPAL

REGULATIONS

for

PHYSICAL

THERAPY

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CHAPTER 67 PHYSICAL THERAPY

Secs.

6700 General Provisions

6701 Term of License

6702 Educational Requirements

6703 Applicants Educated in Foreign Countries

6704 Licensure by Examination

6705 [DELETED and RESERVED]

6706 Continuing Education Requirements

6707 Approved Continuing Education Programs and Activities

6708 Continuing Education Credits

6709 Licensure by Endorsement

6710 Lawful Practice

6711 Practice of Physical Therapy by Students or Graduates

6712 Physical therapy assistants and Aides

6713 Restricted Licenses

6714 Standards of Conduct

6715 Scope of Practice

6716 Requirements for Physical Therapists to Perform Intramuscular Manual Therapy

6799 Definitions

6700 GENERAL PROVISIONS

6700.1 This chapter shall apply to applicants for and holders of a license to practice

physical therapy.

6700.2 Chapters 40 (Health Occupations: General Rules) 41 (Health Occupations:

Administrative Procedures) of this title shall supplement this chapter.

6701 TERM OF LICENSE

6701.1 Subject to § 6701.2, a license issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire at 12:00

midnight of January 31st of each odd-numbered year.

6701.2 If the Director changes the renewal system pursuant to § 4006.3 of chapter 40 of

this title, a license issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire at 12:00 midnight of

the last day of the month of the birth date of the holder of the license, or other

date established by the Director.

6702 EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

6702.1 Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, an applicant shall furnish proof

satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has graduated from a professional

physical therapy education program accredited by an agency recognized for that

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purpose by the United States Department of Education, or which is approved by

the Board, in accordance with § 504(j) of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 3-

1205.04(j)).

6702.2 An applicant shall submit with a completed application an official certified

transcript of the applicant’s educational record and certificate of graduation from

the educational institution

6703 APPLICANTS EDUCATED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES

6703.1 The Board may grant a license to practice physical therapy to an applicant who

has been educated outside of the United States if the applicant meets the

following requirements:

(a) Provides satisfactory proof that the applicant’s education is substantially

equivalent to the requirements of physical therapists educated in an

accredited education program as determined by the Board;

(b) Passes the Board-approved English proficiency examination if the

applicant’s native language is not English; and

6703.2 For purposes of this section, “substantially equivalent” means that the applicant

for licensure educated outside of the United States shall have:

(a) Graduated from a physical therapy education program that prepares the

applicant to engage without restriction in the practice of physical therapy;

(b) Provided written proof that the applicant’s school of physical therapy

education is recognized by its own ministry of education or equivalent

governmental authority;

that has determined the candidate has met uniform criteria for educational

requirements as further established by rule; and

(d) Passes the examination approved by the Board.

6703.3 [DELETED]

6703.4 The Board may interview an applicant under this section to determine whether the

applicant’s education or training meets the requirements of the Act and this

chapter.

6703.5 If a document required by this chapter is in a language other than English, an

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applicant shall arrange for its translation into English by a translation service

acceptable to the Board and shall submit a translation signed by the translator

attesting to its accuracy.

6704 LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION

6704.1 An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist by examination shall initiate the

application process by submitting a completed application together with the

appropriate application fee and the documentation required by § 6702.2.

6704.2 An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist shall have pre-approval from the

Board before taking any licensure examination.

6704.3 An applicant for licensure by examination must take and pass a Board-

approved national licensure examination in physical therapy (the national

examination) and a Board-approved District of Columbia licensure examination

in physical therapy (the District examination).

6704.4 Following approval from the Board to take the applicable examinations, the

applicant may take the national examination and the District examination in any

order.

6704.5 The passing score on the national examination shall be determined by the

body administering the examination.

6704.6 The District examination shall be a written examination, developed and

administered by the Board or a body approved by the Board, on laws and rules

pertaining to the practice of physical therapy in the District of Columbia.

6704.7 The District examination may consist of questions on District of Columbia laws

pertaining to physical therapy including the Act, this chapter, and chapters 40 and

41 of this title. The passing score on the District examination shall be determined

by the Board.

6704.8 An applicant for licensure who does not pass either examination on the first

attempt must seek and obtain Board approval for any subsequent attempts to

retake the examination. Before the Board may approve an applicant for

subsequent testing beyond three (3) attempts, an applicant shall submit proof

satisfactory to the Board of having successfully completed any remediation as

determined by the Board.

6704.9 If the Board determines that an applicant has engaged in or has attempted to

engage in conduct that subverts or undermines the integrity of either the national

examination process or District examination process, the Board may disqualify

the applicant from taking the examinations. Examples of such conduct may

include, but are not limited to the following:

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(a) Utilizing in any manner recalled or memorized examination questions;

(b) Failing to comply with all test center security procedures;

(d) Copying or sharing examination questions or answers or portions of

questions or answers.

6704.10 All occurrences of any violations set forth in § 6704.9 shall be recorded in the

official records of the Board. Board action may include, but is not limited to, the

following:

(a) Disqualifying test results of the applicant’s examinations;

(b) Disqualifying the applicant, permanently or for a specified period of time,

from eligibility for the examinations;

from eligibility for licensure;

(d) Revocation, suspension, or imposition of probationary conditions on a

license issued to the applicant.

6705 [DELETED AND RESERVED]

6706 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

6706.1 Subject to § 6706.2, this section shall apply to applicants for the renewal,

reactivation, or reinstatement of a license for a term expiring on or after January

31, 2013, and for subsequent terms.

6706.2 This section shall not apply to applicants for the first renewal of a license.

6706.3 A continuing education credit shall be valid only if it is approved by the Board in

accordance with § 6707.

6706.4 To qualify for the renewal of a license, an applicant shall have completed forty

(40) hours of approved continuing education during the two (2) years’ period

preceding the date the license expires, which shall include:

(a) No more than twenty (20) hours of approved continuing education credits

earned through internet courses;

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(b) Ten percent (10%) of the total required continuing education shall be in

the subjects determined by the Director as public health priorities of the

District, which shall be duly published every five (5) years or as deemed

appropriate; and

6706.5 The Board may periodically conduct a random audit to determine licensees’

compliance with the continuing education. A licensee who is selected to

participate in the Board’s continuing education audit shall, within thirty (30) days

after receiving notice of the selection, submit proof pursuant to § 6706.9 of

having completed the required approved continuing education credits during the

two (2)-year period immediately preceding the date the license expires.

6706.6 To qualify for the reactivation of a license, a person in inactive status, within the

meaning of § 511 of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.11(2016 Repl.)) who

does not possess a valid, active license to practice physical therapy in any

jurisdiction of the United States shall submit proof pursuant to § 6706.9 of having

completed the following within the two (2) year period preceding the date of the

application for reactivation of that applicant’s license:

(a) Twenty (20) hours of approved continuing education meeting the

requirement of § 6707.1 for each year that the license remains inactive up

to a maximum of one hundred (100) hours, provided further that ten

percent (10%) of the total required continuing education shall be in the

subjects determined by the Director as public health priorities of the

District, which shall be duly published every five (5) years or as deemed

appropriate; and

(b) Two (2) hours of LGBTQ continuing education.

6706.7 To qualify for reactivation of a license, a person in inactive status, within the

meaning of § 511 of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.11 (2016 Repl.)) who

maintains a valid, active license in another jurisdiction of the United States shall

establish his or her current competency to the Board’s satisfaction, which may

include proving completion of approved continuing education within a period of

no more than five (5) years preceding the date of the reactivation application. An

applicant under this subsection shall also complete two (2) hours of LGTBQ

continuing education within the two (2) year-period preceding the date of the

application.

6706.8 To qualify for the reinstatement of a license, an applicant shall submit proof

pursuant to § 6706.9 of having completed, no more than two (2) years before the

date of the reinstatement application:

(a) Twenty (20) hours of approved continuing education meeting the

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requirement of § 6707.1 for each year that the license was not valid,

provided further that ten percent (10%) of the total required continuing

education shall be in the subjects determined by the Director as public

health priorities of the District, which shall be duly published every five

(5) years or as deemed appropriate; and

(b) Two (2) hours of LGTBQ continuing education.

6706.9 Except as provided in § 6706.10, an applicant under this section shall prove

completion of the required continuing education credits by submitting with the

application the following information with respect to each program for which

continuing education credit is claimed, and shall maintain for a period of at least

five (5) years the following information with respect to each program:

(a)

The name and address of the sponsor of the program;

(b) The name of the program;

(d) A description of the subject matter covered in the program;

(e)

The names of the program instructors;

(f) The dates on which the applicant attended the program;

(g) The hours of credit claimed; and

(h) Verification by the sponsor of completion, by signature or stamp.

6706.10 Applicants for renewal of a license shall only be required to prove completion of

the required continuing education credits by submitting proof pursuant to §

6706.9 if requested to do so as part of the random audit, or if otherwise requested

to do so by the Board.

6707 APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND

ACTIVITIES

6707.1 The Board may, in its discretion, approve continuing education programs and

activities that contribute to the growth of an applicant in professional competence

in the practice of physical therapy and which meet the other requirements of this

section.

6707.2 The Board may approve the following types of continuing education programs, if

the program meets the requirements of § 6707.3:

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(a) An undergraduate or graduate course given at an accredited college or

university;

(b) A seminar or workshop;

(d) In-service training;

(e) Home study courses;

(f) Real-time, interactive remote media courses; and

(g) Online courses, video courses, telecourses, videoconferences, and

teleconferences offered by colleges or universities accredited by an agency

recognized for that purpose by the United States Department of Education,

or which is approved by the Board, in accordance with § 504(j) of the Act

(D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.04(j)(2007 Repl.)), or pre-approved by the

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) or the Board for two (2)

or more credit hours.

6707.3 Not more than one-half (1/2) of the total required number of Continuing

Education Units (CEUs) may be accepted in any renewal period, or for

reinstatement or reactivation of a license, for approved online courses, video

courses, telecourses, videoconferences, and teleconference activities.

6707.4 The limitation set forth in § 6707.3 shall not apply to the Federation of State

Boards of Physical Therapy’s Practice Review Tool or to Board-approved courses

which grant more than twenty (20) credit hours for a single course.

6707.5 To qualify for approval by the Board, a continuing education program shall do the

following:

(a) Be current in its subject matter;

(b) Be developed and taught by qualified individuals; and

(1) Be administered or approved by a recognized national, state, or local

physical therapy organization, a health care organization, and

accredited health care facility, or an accredited college or university;

(2) Be submitted by the program sponsor or the applicant to the Board

for review no less than sixty (60) days before the date of the

presentation and be approved by the Board.

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6707.6 The Board has pre-approved for acceptance all physical therapy continuing

education seminars, workshops, or programs administered or approved by:

(a) The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA);

(b) The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT);

(c)

The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.;

(d) A health care facility accredited by the Joint Commission;

(e) A college or university approved by an accrediting body recognized by the

Council on Postsecondary Accreditation or the Secretary of the United

States Department of Education; or

(f) Any of the following organizations if the training is substantially related to

physical therapy services:

(1) The American Medical Association under Physician Category I; and

(2) The American Nurses Association.

6707.7 The Board may issue and update a list of approved continuing education

programs.

6707.8 An applicant shall have the burden of verifying whether a program is approved by

the Board pursuant to this section prior to attending the program.

6707.9 The Board may approve the following continuing education activities by an

applicant:

(a)

Serving as an instructor or speaker at a conference, seminar, or workshop;

(b) In-service training;

a chapter in a book, or publication of a book review in a professional

journal or bulletin; and

(d) Participating in research as a principal investigator or research assistant.

6708 CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

6708.1 The Board may grant continuing education credit for whole hours only, with a

minimum of fifty (50) minutes constituting one (1) credit hour.

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6708.2 For approved undergraduate or graduate courses, each semester hour of credit

shall constitute fifteen (15) hours of continuing education credit, and each quarter

hour of credit constitutes ten (10) hours of continuing education credit.

6708.3 The Board may grant a maximum of ten (10) continuing education credits per

year to an applicant who attends in-service education programs.

6708.4 The Board may grant to an applicant who serves as an instructor or speaker at an

acceptable program for both preparation and presentation time, subject to the

restrictions in §§ 6708.5 through 6708.8.

6708.5 The maximum amount of credit that may be granted for preparation time is twice

the amount of the associated presentation time.

6708.6 The maximum amount of credit that may be granted pursuant to § 6708.4 is fifty

percent (50%) of an applicant’s continuing education requirement.

6708.7 If an applicant has previously received credit in connection with a particular

presentation, the Board shall not grant credit for a subsequent presentation unless

it involves either a different subject or substantial additional research concerning

the same subject.

6708.8 The presentation shall have been completed during the period for which credit is

claimed.

6708.9 The Board may grant an applicant who is an author or editor of a published book

four (4) units of forty (40) hours of continuing education credit, if the book has

been published or accepted for publication during the period for which credit is

claimed and the applicant submits proof of this fact in the application.

6708.10 The Board may grant an applicant who is the sole author or co-author of a

published original paper, journal article or poster presentation, two (2) continuing

education units or twenty (20) hours of continuing education credit, subject to the

same restrictions set forth for books in § 6708.9.

6708.11 The Board may grant an applicant who is the sole author of a published book

review, review paper, or abstract one (1) unit or ten (10) hours of continuing

education credit, subject to the same restrictions set forth for books in § 6708.9.

6709 LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT

6709.1 The Board shall issue a license by endorsement to a physical therapist who has a

valid unrestricted license in good standing from another jurisdiction of the United

States and who meets all other requirements of this section.

6709.2 An applicant for licensure as a physical therapist by endorsement shall submit

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with a completed application the following:

(a) Official, certified proof of licensure as a physical therapist in good

standing from another jurisdiction of the United States;

(b) Official, certified proof, from the body administering the examination, that

the applicant has passed the Board-approved national licensure

examination in physical therapy; and

6709.3 After submission of the completed application and all required documentation, the

Board may approve the applicant to take the District of Columbia licensure

examination in physical therapy.

6709.4 An applicant shall take and pass the District of Columbia licensure examination in

physical therapy after obtaining Board approval pursuant to § 6709.3.

6710 LAWFUL PRACTICE

6710.1 A physical therapist licensed under this act is fully authorized to practice physical

therapy within the District of Columbia as defined herein.

6710.2 A physical therapist shall adhere to the recognized standards of ethics of the

physical therapy profession and as further established by rule.

6710.3 A physical therapist may purchase, store and administer topical and aerosol

medications as part of the practice of physical therapy as defined herein, as long

as the purchasing, storage, and administration of those medications is carried out

pursuant to all laws and regulations of the Federal Government and District of

Columbia.

6710.4 A physical therapist shall use the letters “PT” in connection with the physical

therapist’s name or place of business to denote licensure under the Act.

6710.5 Unless authorized to practice physical therapy, a person or business entity, its

employees, agents or representatives shall not use in connection with that person’s

name or the name or activity of the business, the words “physical therapy,”

“physical therapist,” “physiotherapy,” “physiotherapist,” “registered physical

therapist,” the letters “PT,” “DPT,” “LPT,” “RPT,” or any other words,

abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying directly or indirectly that physical

therapy is provided or supplied.

6710.6 A person or business entity shall not advertise or otherwise promote another

person as being a “physical therapist” or “physiotherapist” unless the individual

so advertised or promoted is licensed as a physical therapist under the Act.

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6710.7 A person or business entity that offers, provides or bills any other person for

services shall not characterize those services as “physical therapy” or

“physiotherapy” unless the individual performing those services is a person

licensed as a physical therapist under the Act.

6710.8 A physical therapy assistant shall use the letters “PTA” in connection with his or

her name.

6710.9 A physical therapist shall be responsible for managing all aspects of the physical

therapy care of each patient. A physical therapist shall provide:

(a) The initial evaluation for each patient and all supporting documentation;

(b) Periodic reevaluation of each patient and all supporting documentation;

and

therapeutic intervention at the time of discharge.

6710.10 A physical therapist shall assure the qualifications of all physical therapy

students, physical therapy assistants, physical therapy aides, and first-time

applicants practicing pursuant to § 6711, under his or her direction and

supervision.

6710.11 A physical therapist may not have more than a total of three (3) physical therapy

students or physical therapy aides or physical therapy assistants or first-time

applicants for a physical therapy license practicing pursuant to § 6711, under his

or her direct supervision at any one time.

6710.12 A physical therapist shall review and co-sign any documentation written by a

physical therapy student, physical therapy assistant, physical therapy aide, or first-

time applicant for a physical therapy license practicing pursuant to § 6711.

6710.13 If a physical therapy patient fails to respond to treatment within thirty (30) days

after being seen by a physical therapist for the first time, the physical therapist

shall refer the patient to an appropriate health care provider for assessment,

medical diagnosis, intervention, or referral.

6710.14 A licensed physical therapist shall perform the final evaluation for a patient who

has been treated throughout the patient’s history by a physical therapy assistant.

6710.15 A physical therapist shall ensure the qualifications of all physical therapy

assistants under his or her supervision.

6710.16 Before a patient is treated by a physical therapy assistant, a licensed physical

therapist shall evaluate the patient and formulate initial and ongoing treatment

goals and plans.

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6710.17 Pursuant to § 6710.16, a licensed physical therapist shall reevaluate each patient

being treated by a physical therapy assistant by the seventh (7th) visit and every

seventh (7th) visit thereafter.

6710.18 Support personnel shall only perform routine assigned tasks under the direct

supervision of a licensed physical therapist or a licensed physical therapy

assistant, who shall only assign those tasks or activities that are nondiscretionary

and do not require the exercise of professional judgment.

6710.19 A licensed physical therapist shall be fully responsible for any actions by a

physical therapy assistant performing physical therapist functions while under the

physical therapist’s supervision.

6711 PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY BY STUDENTS OR GRADUATES

6711.1 This section shall apply to the following:

(a) Students enrolled in recognized schools or colleges as candidates for a

degree in physical therapy; and

(b) Applicants for a license whose first application for a license in the District

of Columbia is pending.

6711.2 A student or applicant may perform actions which require a license as a physical

therapist only in accordance with the Act and this section.

6711.3 A first-time applicant for a physical therapy license may practice physical therapy

under the direct supervision of a physical therapist licensed in the District of

Columbia while the initial application is pending.

6711.4 A first-time applicant practicing physical therapy pursuant to § 6711.3 who fails

the national examination or the District examination on the first attempt shall not

thereafter continue to practice physical therapy until such time as a physical

therapy license is duly issued to that individual.

6711.5 A student or applicant may practice physical therapy only under the direct

supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

6711.6 A student or applicant shall identify himself or herself as a student or applicant at

all times when performing actions of a physical therapist

6711.7 A physical therapist supervising a student or an applicant shall be fully

responsible for all of the actions performed by the student or applicant during the

time of the supervision and is subject to disciplinary action for any violation of

the Act or this chapter by the person supervised.

6711.8 A student may not be paid or receive compensation of any nature, directly or

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indirectly from a patient.

6711.9 A student or applicant shall be subject to all of the applicable provisions of the

Act and this chapter. The Board may deny an application for a license by, or take

other disciplinary action against a student or applicant who is found to have

violated the Act or this chapter, in accordance with chapter 41 of this title.

6711.10 If the Board finds that a student or applicant has violated the Act or this chapter,

the Board may, in addition to any other disciplinary actions permitted by the Act,

revoke, suspend, or restrict the privilege of the student or applicant to practice.

6711.11 Pursuant to § 6710.12, a physical therapist shall review and co-sign any

documentation written by a physical therapy student or a first-time applicant for a

physical therapy license practicing pursuant to § 6711.

6712 PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS AND AIDES

6712.1 A physical therapy assistant or physical therapy aide may perform physical

therapy functions only in accordance with this section.

6712.2 A physical therapy assistant may perform the following functions under the direct

supervision of a physical therapist:

(a) Use of therapeutic exercise, mechanical traction, therapeutic massage,

compression, heat, cold, ultraviolet, water, and electricity;

(b) Measurement and adjustment of crutches, canes, walkers, and

wheelchairs, and instruction in their use and care;

pulmonary function, learning, and functional activities such as pre-

ambulation, transfer, ambulation and daily living activities; and the use

and care of orthoses, prostheses, and supportive devices;

(d) Modification of treatment procedures as indicated by patient response and

within the limits specified in the plan of care, and reported orally or in

writing to the physical therapist; and

(e) Participation in routine administrative procedures required for a physical

therapy service.

6712.3 A physical therapy aide may perform the following functions under the direct

supervision of a physical therapist:

(a) Gait practice;

(b) Activities of daily living;

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(d) Hot or cold packs;

(e) Paraffin bath;

(f) Hydrotherapy;

(g) Whirlpool; and

(h) Therapeutic exercises.

6712.4 A physical therapy assistant or physical therapy aide may not perform the

following:

(a) Interpret referrals;

(b) Perform evaluation procedures;

(d) Assume responsibility for planning patient care.

6712.5 Pursuant to § 6710.12, a physical therapist shall review and co-sign any

documentation written by a physical therapy assistant or physical therapy aide.

6713 RESTRICTED LICENSES

6713.1 Pursuant to § 514 of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.14) the Board may

restrict the license of any person as a condition of probation pursuant to §

514(c)(7) of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.14(c)(7)).

6714 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

6714.1 A physical therapist shall protect the patient’s right to privacy by not divulging

confidential information without consent of the patient or guardian unless

required by law or unless, in the judgment of the physical therapist, the

information is needed to protect the patient or the community.

6714.2 A physical therapist shall provide information about fees upon request by the

patient.

6714.3 A physical therapist who has information of illegal or unsafe practice of physical

therapy shall promptly report the information to the Board.

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6714.4 Any holder of a license under this chapter or any person authorized to practice

physical therapy or to perform physical therapy functions under this chapter shall

comply with the standards of ethical and professional conduct established by the

American Physical Therapy Association, as they may be amended or republished

from time to time.

6715 SCOPE OF PRACTICE

6715.1 A physical therapist or any person so authorized under the Act to perform

physical therapy may perform the following functions:

(a) Examining individuals with impairments, functional limitations and

disabilities or other health-related conditions in order to determine a

diagnosis, prognosis and course of intervention while utilizing tests and

measurements consistent with the practice of physical therapy; and

(b) Alleviating impairment and functional limitation by designing,

implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions consistent with the

practice of physical therapy.

including the promotion and maintenance of health, wellness, fitness and

quality of life in all age populations.

(d) Engaging in consultation, education and research.

6715.2 A physical therapist may also perform intramuscular manual therapy, which is

also known as dry needling, if performed in conformance with the requirements of

section

6716 REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPISTS TO PERFORM

INTRAMUSCULAR MANUAL THERAPY

6716.1 Intramuscular manual therapy may be performed by a licensed physical therapist

who meets the requirements of this section.

6716.2 Intramuscular manual therapy shall be performed directly by the licensed physical

therapist and shall not be delegated.

6716.3 Intramuscular manual therapy shall be performed in a manner that is consistent

with generally accepted standards of practice, including clean needle techniques,

and other applicable standards of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

6716.4 Intramuscular manual therapy is an advanced procedure that requires specialized

training. A physical therapist shall not perform intramuscular manual therapy in

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the District of Columbia unless he or she has documented proof of completing:

(a) A Board-approved professional training program on intramuscular manual

therapy. The training program shall require each trainee to demonstrate

cognitive and psychomotor knowledge and skills. The training program

shall be attended in person by the physical therapist, shall not be attended

online or through any other means of distance learning, and shall not be a

self-study program

(b) A professional training program on intramuscular manual therapy

accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy

Education (CAPTE). The training program shall require each trainee to

demonstrate cognitive and psychomotor knowledge and skills. The

training program shall be attended in person by the physical therapist,

shall not be attended online or through any other means of distance

learning, and shall not be a self-study program; or

program that included intramuscular manual therapy in the curriculum.

6716.5 A physical therapist shall only perform intramuscular manual therapy following an

examination and diagnosis, and for the purpose of treating specific anatomic entities

selected according to physical signs.

6716.6 A physical therapist who performs intramuscular manual therapy shall obtain

written informed consent from each patient who will receive intramuscular

manual therapy before the physical therapist performs intramuscular manual

therapy on the patient.

6716.7 The informed consent form shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(a) The patient’s signature;

(b) The risks and benefits of intramuscular manual therapy;

manual therapy; and

(d) A clearly and conspicuously written statement that the patient is not

receiving acupuncture.

6716.8 A physical therapist who performs intramuscular manual therapy shall maintain a

separate procedure note in the patient’s chart for each intramuscular manual

therapy. The note shall indicate how the patient tolerated the intervention as well

as the outcome after the intramuscular manual therapy.

6716.9 A physical therapist who performs intramuscular manual therapy shall be required

to produce documentation of meeting the requirements of this section

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immediately upon request by the Board or an agent of the Board.

6716.10 Failure by a physical therapist to provide written documentation of meeting the

training requirements of this section shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the

physical therapist is not competent and not permitted to perform intramuscular

manual therapy.

6799 DEFINITIONS

6799.1 As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed:

Act – the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25,

1986 (D.C. Law 6-99, D.C. Official Code § 3-1201 et seq. (2016 Repl.)).

Applicant - a person applying for a license to practice physical therapy under this chapter.

Board - the Board of Physical Therapy, established by § 209 of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 2-

1202.09).

Continuing education unit – a unit of measurement representing ten (10) hours of continuing

education credit.

Direct supervision - the supervision in which a physical therapist is personally present and

immediately available within the treatment area to give aid, direction, and instruction when

physical therapy procedures or activities are performed.

Director – The Director of the Department of Health, or the Director’s designee.

Intramuscular manual therapy - a technique used to treat myofascial pain that uses a dry needle,

without medication, that is inserted into a trigger point with the goal of releasing or inactivating the

trigger points and relieving pain.

LGBTQ continuing education – continuing education focusing on patients or clients who

identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender nonconforming, queer, or question their

sexual orientation or gender identity and expression (“LGBTQ”) meeting the requirements of §

510(b)(5) of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.10 (b)(5) (2016 Repl.)).

Physical therapist - a person licensed to practice physical therapy under the Act.

Physical therapy aide - a person trained by a physical therapist to perform designated routine

tasks related to the operation of a physical therapy service under the direct supervision of a

physical therapist.

Physical therapy assistant – a physical therapy assistant who is a person licensed to practice

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under the Act.

Practice of physical therapy – “Practice of physical therapy" means the independent evaluation

of human disability, injury, or disease by means of noninvasive tests of neuromuscular functions

and other standard procedures of physical therapy, and the treatment of human disability, injury,

or disease by therapeutic procedures,

embracing the specific scientific application of physical measures to secure the functional

rehabilitation of the human body. These measures include the use of therapeutic exercise,

therapeutic massage, heat or cold, air, light, water, electricity, or sound for the purpose of

correcting or alleviating any physical or mental disability, or preventing the development of any

physical or mental disability, or the performance of noninvasive tests of neuromuscular functions

as an aid to the detection or

treatment of any human condition.

Restricted license – a license upon which the board has placed any restrictions.

Valid, active license – a license to practice physical therapy in any jurisdiction that is currently

valid and has been valid during the relevant period.

6799.2 The definitions in § 4099 of chapter 40 of this title are incorporated by reference

into and are applicable to this chapter.