Oklahoma § 59-887.2 - Definitions

§ 59-887.2. Definitions

As used in the Physical Therapy Practice Act:

1. “Physical therapy” means the care and services provided by

or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist who

is licensed pursuant to the Physical Therapy Practice Act;

2. “Practice of physical therapy” means the use of selected

knowledge and skills in planning, organizing and directing programs

for the care of individuals whose ability to function is impaired or

threatened by disease or injury, encompassing preventive measures,

screening, tests in aid of diagnosis by a licensed doctor of

medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, dentistry or podiatry, or a

physician assistant, and evaluation and invasive or noninvasive

procedures with emphasis on the skeletal system, neuromuscular and

cardiopulmonary function, as it relates to physical therapy.

Physical therapy includes screening or evaluations performed to

determine the degree of impairment of relevant aspects such as, but

not limited to, nerve and muscle function including transcutaneous

bioelectrical potentials, motor development, functional capacity and

respiratory or circulatory efficiency. Physical therapy also

includes physical therapy treatment performed including, but not

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations

limited to, exercises for increasing or restoring strength,

endurance, coordination and range of motion, stimuli to facilitate

motor activity and learning, instruction in activities of daily

living and the use of assistive devices and the application of

physical agents to relieve pain or alter physiological status.

Physical therapy services may be provided in person or remotely, via

telehealth, to individuals or groups. The use of roentgen rays and

radium for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, the use of

electricity for surgical purposes, including cauterization and

colonic irrigations are not authorized under the term “physical

therapy” as used in this chapter;

3. “Physical therapist assistant” means a person who assists in

the practice of physical therapy subject to the direction and

supervision of a licensed physical therapist, who meets all the

educational requirements, and who is licensed pursuant to the

provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act;

4. “Licensed physical therapist” means a person who is licensed

as required in the Physical Therapy Practice Act and who regularly

practices physical therapy;

5. “Board” means the State Board of Medical Licensure and

Supervision;

6. “Committee” means the Physical Therapy Committee;

7. “Telehealth” means the use of electronic information and

telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical

health care, patient and professional health-related education,

public health and health administration; and

8. “Telecommunication” means the use of audio, video or other

electronic media to deliver health care in real-time or through the

use of store-and-forward technology.

Added by Laws 1965, c. 153, § 2, emerg. eff. May 26, 1965. Amended

by Laws 1969, c. 345, § 1; Laws 1987, c. 13, § 1, eff. July 1, 1987;

Laws 1987, c. 118, § 44, operative July 1, 1987; Laws 2001, c. 385,

§ 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2001; Laws 2012, c. 29, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2012;

Laws 2014, c. 324, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2014; Laws 2021, c. 77, § 1,

eff. Nov. 1, 2021.