(a)  It is a misdemeanor for any person, firm, corporation, or association to:

(1)  Use in connection with his or her name any designation tending to imply that he or she is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant unless licensed under the provisions of this chapter;

(2)  Use in connection with his or her name any designation tending to imply that he or she is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant during the time his or her license issued under the provisions of this chapter is suspended or revoked; or

(3)  Violate any of the provisions of this chapter.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-17

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • License: means a license issued by the department to practice physical therapy. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • Physical therapist: means an individual who is licensed by the department to practice physical therapy. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1
  • Physical therapist assistant: means an individual who is licensed by the department to assist in the practice of physical therapy under the supervision of a physical therapist. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-40-1

(b)  All misdemeanors shall be punishable by a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300) for the first offense. Each subsequent offense shall be punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment of not more than one year, or both.

History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 261, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 359, § 1.