(a) A physical therapist shall use the letters “PT” or “DPT”, as appropriate for the individual’s education, in connection with their name or place of business to denote licensure under this part.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 63-13-310

  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Physical therapist assistant: means a person who meets the requirements of this chapter for licensure as a physical therapist assistant and who performs physical therapy procedures and related tasks that have been selected and delegated only by the supervising physical therapist. See Tennessee Code 63-13-103
  • Physical therapy: means the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter. See Tennessee Code 63-13-103
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) It is unlawful for any person or for any business entity, its employees, agents or representatives to use in connection with such person’s name or the name or activity of the business the words “physical therapy,” “physical therapist,” “physiotherapy,” “physiotherapist,” “registered physical therapist,” “licensed physical therapist,” “doctor of physical therapy,” or the letters “PT,” “LPT,” “DPT,” or “RPT” or any other words, abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying directly or indirectly that physical therapy is provided or supplied, including the billing of services labeled as physical therapy, unless such services are provided by or under the direction of a physical therapist licensed in accordance with this part.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as restricting a person licensed or certified under any other law of this state from engaging in the profession or practice for which the person is licensed or certified; provided, that the person does not claim to be a physical therapist, a physical therapist assistant or a provider of physical therapy.
(d) A physical therapist assistant shall use the letters “PTA” in connection with the person’s name to denote licensure.
(e) No person shall use the title “physical therapist assistant” or use the letters “PTA” in connection with the person’s name or any other words, abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying, directly or indirectly, that the person is a physical therapist assistant unless the person is licensed as a physical therapist assistant in accordance with this part.