Colorado § 12-285-116 - Special practice authorities and requirements - definition - rules.

§ 12-285-116. Special practice authorities and requirements - definition - rules.

(1) Supervising persons not licensed as a physical therapist. A physical therapist may supervise up to four individuals at one time who are not physical therapists, including certified nurse aides, to assist in the therapist's clinical practice; except that this limit does not include student physical therapists and student physical therapist assistants supervised by a physical therapist for educational purposes. The board shall promulgate rules governing the required supervision. This subsection (1) does not affect or limit the independent practice or judgment of other professions regulated under this title 12. For purposes of this subsection (1), a "physical therapist assistant" means a person certified under part 2 of this article 285.

(2) Administration of medications. Physical therapists or physical therapist assistants under the direct supervision of a physical therapist may administer topical and aerosol medications when they are consistent with the scope of physical therapy practice and when any such medication is prescribed by a licensed health-care practitioner who is authorized to prescribe that medication. A prescription or order shall be required for each such administration.

(3) Wound debridement. A physical therapist is authorized to perform wound debridement under a physician's order, the order of a physician assistant authorized under section 12-240-107 (6), or the order of an advanced practice registered nurse authorized under section 12-255-111 when debridement is consistent with the scope of physical therapy practice. The performance of wound debridement does not violate the prohibition against performing surgery pursuant to section 12-285-108 (1)(a).

(4) Physical therapy of animals.

(a) A physical therapist is authorized to perform physical therapy of animals when the physical therapy of animals is consistent with the scope of physical therapy practice. In recognition of the special authority granted by this subsection (4), the performance of physical therapy of animals in accordance with this subsection (4) shall not constitute the practice of veterinary medicine, as defined in section 12-315-104 (14), nor shall it be deemed a violation of section 12-315-105.

(b) In recognition of the emerging field of physical therapy of animals, before commencing physical therapy of an animal, a physical therapist shall obtain veterinary medical clearance of the animal by a veterinarian licensed under article 315 of this title 12.

(5) Dry needling.

(a) A physical therapist is authorized to perform dry needling if the physical therapist:

(I) Has the knowledge, skill, ability, and documented competency to perform the act;

(II) Has successfully completed a dry needling course of study that meets the supervision, educational, and clinical prerequisites; and

(III) Obtains one written informed consent from each patient for dry needling, including information concerning potential benefits and risks of dry needling.

(b) The board shall promulgate rules to update the requirements for a physical therapist to perform dry needling in order to ensure adequate protection of the public. Prior to promulgating the initial update of the rules, the board shall seek input from the Colorado medical board created in section 12-240-105 (1) and from the director.

(c) The performance of dry needling in accordance with this section is not the practice of acupuncture as defined in section 12-200-103 and is not a violation of section 12-200-108.

Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1512, § 1, effective October 1. L. 2024: (3) amended, (HB 24-1327), ch. 421, p. 2878, § 8, effective August 7.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-41-113 as it existed prior to 2019.