(1)(a) It is unlawful for any person who is not licensed under this chapter as a physical therapist, or whose license has been suspended or revoked, to use in connection with her or his name or place of business the words “physical therapist,” “physiotherapist,” “physical therapy,” “physiotherapy,” “registered physical therapist,” or “licensed physical therapist”; the letters “P.T.”; or any other words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying that she or he is a physical therapist or to represent herself or himself as a physical therapist in any other way, orally, in writing, in print, or by sign, directly or by implication, unless physical therapy services are provided or supplied by a physical therapist licensed in accordance with this chapter.

Terms Used In Florida Statutes 486.135

  • License: means the document of authorization granted by the board and issued by the department for a person to engage in the practice of physical therapy. See Florida Statutes 486.021
  • person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
  • Physical therapist: means a person who is licensed and who practices physical therapy in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. See Florida Statutes 486.021
  • Physical therapist assistant: means a person who is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter to perform patient-related activities, including the use of physical agents, whose license is in good standing, and whose activities are performed under the direction of a physical therapist as set forth in rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. See Florida Statutes 486.021
  • writing: includes handwriting, printing, typewriting, and all other methods and means of forming letters and characters upon paper, stone, wood, or other materials. See Florida Statutes 1.01
(b) It is unlawful for a person who is not licensed under this chapter as a physical therapist and who does not hold a doctoral degree in physical therapy to use the letters “D.P.T.” in connection with his or her name or place of business.
(c) It is unlawful for any person who is not licensed under this chapter as a physical therapist assistant, or whose license has been suspended or revoked, to use in connection with her or his name the words “physical therapist assistant,” the letters “P.T.A.,” or any other words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying that she or he is a physical therapist assistant or to represent herself or himself as a physical therapist assistant in any other way, orally, in writing, in print, or by sign, directly or by implication.
(2) An unlawful act under this section is a violation of s. 486.151.
(3) It is unlawful for any person to obtain or attempt to obtain a license under this chapter by any willful misrepresentation or any fraudulent representation.
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