The Arizona Revised Statutes have been updated to include the revised sections from the 56th Legislature, 1st Regular Session. Please note that the next update of this compilation will not take place until after the conclusion of the 56th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, which convenes in January 2024.
This online version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is primarily maintained for legislative drafting purposes and reflects the version of law that is effective on January 1st of the year following the most recent legislative session. The official version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is published by Thomson Reuters.
32-2043. Supervision; patient care management
A. A physical therapist is responsible for patient care given by assistive personnel, student physical therapists and student physical therapist assistants under the physical therapist's supervision. A physical therapist may delegate to assistive personnel and supervise selected acts, tasks or procedures that fall within the scope of physical therapy practice but that do not exceed the education or training of the assistive personnel.
B. A physical therapist assistant who is licensed pursuant to this chapter may provide physical therapy services under the general supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter.
C. A physical therapy aide and other assistive personnel shall perform designated routine tasks only under the on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
D. A licensed physical therapist must provide on-site supervision of an interim permit holder.
E. A physical therapist student and a physical therapist assistant student must practice under the on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
F. A physical therapist is responsible for managing all aspects of the physical therapy care of each patient. A physical therapist must provide:
1. The initial evaluation of and documentation for a patient.
2. Periodic reevaluation of and documentation for a patient.
3. The documented discharge of a patient, including the response to therapeutic intervention at the time of discharge.
G. A physical therapist must verify the qualifications of physical therapist assistants and other assistive personnel under the physical therapist's direction and supervision.
H. For each patient on each date of service, a physical therapist must provide and document all of the therapeutic intervention that requires the expertise of a physical therapist to ensure the delivery of care that is safe, effective and efficient. Documentation for each date of service must be as prescribed by the board by rule.
I. A physical therapist assistant must document care provided but may do so without the cosignature of the supervising physical therapist if the physical therapist complies with the requirements of subsections G and H of this section.
J. A physical therapist's responsibility for patient care management includes accurate documentation and billing of the services provided.