Delaware Administrative Code
Title 24 - Regulated Professions and Occupations
Department of State
Division of Professional Regulation
2600 - Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers
Section 2600-1.0 - Definitions

1.1.1 Consultation in direct access. A licensed health practitioner who has been granted prescriptive authority must be consulted if a patient is still receiving physical therapy after 30 calendar days have lapsed from the date of the initial assessment. This consultation must be documented and could take place at any time during the initial thirty day period. The consultation can be made electronically, including but not limited to text and email, by telephone, fax, in writing, or in person. There is nothing in these Rules and Regulations or in the Physical Therapy Law that limits the number of consultations the Physical Therapist can make on the patient's behalf. The consult should be with the patient's personal licensed health practitioner. If the patient does not have a personal licensed health practitioner, the Physical Therapist is to offer the patient at least three licensed health practitioners from which to choose. The referral to a licensed health practitioner after the initial thirty day period must not be in conflict with 24 Del.C. § 2616(a)(8) which deals with referral for profit. If no licensed health practitioner consult has been made in this initial thirty day period, treatment must be terminated and no treatment may be resumed without a licensed health practitioner consult.

1.1.2 Consultation with written prescription from a licensed health practitioner. A prescription accompanying a patient must not be substantially modified without documented consultation with the referring practitioner. The consultation can be made electronically, including but not limited to text and email, by telephone, fax, in writing, or in person.

1.2.1 Direct supervision in connection with a Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant, or Athletic Trainer practicing under a temporary license means:

1.2.2 Direct supervision in relation to a Physical Therapist Assistant with less than one (1) year experience means a Physical Therapist shall be on the premises at all times and see each patient.

1.2.3 Direct supervision in relation to a Physical Therapist Assistant with one (1) year or more experience means that the supervising Physical Therapist must see the patient, in person or by telehealth, at least once every sixth treatment day, and the Physical Therapist Assistant must receive face to face supervision, in person or by telehealth, at least once every twelfth treatment day. The initial evaluation counts as a "treatment day." When not providing direct supervision on the premises, the supervising Physical Therapist must have at least one (1) year clinical experience and must be available and accessible by telecommunications to the Physical Therapist Assistant during all working hours of the Physical Therapist Assistant.

1.2.4 Direct supervision in relation to an Athletic Trainer treating an injury not defined as an 'athletic injury,' which must be a musculoskeletal disorder if seen for physical therapy, when the Athletic Trainer has one (1) year or more experience, means that the supervising Physical Therapist must see the patient, in person or by telehealth, at least once every sixth treatment day, and the Athletic Trainer must receive face to face supervision, in person or by telehealth, at least once every twelfth treatment day. The initial evaluation counts as a "treatment day." When not providing direct supervision on the premises, the supervising Physical Therapist must have at least one (1) year clinical experience and must be available and accessible by telecommunications to the Athletic Trainer during all working hours of the Athletic Trainer.

1.2.5 Direct supervision in connection with an Athletic Trainer treating an injury not defined as an 'athletic injury,' which must be a musculoskeletal disorder if seen for physical therapy, when the Athletic Trainer has less than one (1) year of continuous experience means a Physical Therapist shall be on the premises at all times and see each patient.

1.2.6 Direct supervision in connection with an Athletic Trainer with a temporary license treating an 'athletic injury' is that the licensed Athletic Trainer supervisor shall be on the premises when the individual with a temporary license is practicing and all evaluations and progress notes shall be co-signed by the Athletic Trainer supervisor.

1.2.7 Direct supervision in relation to an Athletic Trainer with one (1) year or more experience, who is treating a non-athletic injury, means that an Athletic Trainer must receive face to face supervision, in person or by telehealth, at least once every fifth treatment day or once every three weeks, whichever occurs first. The Supervising Physical Therapist must have at least one (1) year experience. The Supervising Physical Therapist must be available and accessible by telecommunications to the Athletic Trainer during all working hours.

1.2.8 At any given time, a Physical Therapist shall not supervise more than: 2 Physical Therapist Assistants; or 2 Athletic Trainers; or 1 Physical Therapist Assistant and 1 Athletic Trainer.

1.2.9 Direct supervision in connection with support personnel means a licensed Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant or Athletic Trainer shall be personally present and immediately available within the treatment area to give aid, direction, and instruction when procedures are performed.