North Dakota Administrative Code
Title 61.5 - North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy
Article 61.5-01 - General Administration
Chapter 61.5-01-02 - Definitions
Section 61.5-01-02-01 - Definitions

1. "A school of physical therapy or a program of physical therapist assistant training" is a nationally accredited program approved by the board.

2. "Board" means the North Dakota board of physical therapy.

3. "Consultation by telehealth" means that a physical therapist renders professional or expert opinion or advice to another physical therapist or professional health care provider via electronic communications or computer technology from a distant location. The patient's written or verbal consent will be obtained and documented prior to such consultation. All records used or resulting from a consultation by means of telehealth are part of a patient's record and are subject to applicable confidentiality requirements.

4. "Continuing competence" is the lifelong process of maintaining and documenting competence through ongoing self-assessment, development and implementation of a personal learning plan, and subsequent reassessment.

5. "Direct supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is physically present on the premises and immediately available for direction and supervision, has direct contact with the patient during each visit, and completes all components of care requiring skilled therapy services. Telehealth does not meet the requirement for direct supervision.

6. "Examination" means a national examination approved by the board for the licensure of a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant.

7. "General supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is onsite and present where services are provided or is immediately available to the physical therapist assistant being supervised by means of electronic communications, maintains continual involvement in the appropriate aspects of patient care, and has primary responsibility for all patient care services rendered by a physical therapist assistant.

8. "Manual therapy" means the use of techniques such as mobilization or manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, and manual traction on one or more regions of the body.

9. "Onsite supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is onsite and present in the department or facility where services are provided, is immediately available to the individual being supervised, and maintains continued involvement in appropriate aspects of each treatment session in which a student physical therapist or a student physical therapist assistant are involved in components of care.

10. "Physical therapist" means an individual licensed under North Dakota Century Code chapter 43-26.1 or holding a North Dakota compact privilege in accordance with North Dakota Century Code chapter 43-26.2 to practice physical therapy. The term "physiotherapist" is synonymous with "physical therapist" for purposes of these rules.

11. "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual licensed under North Dakota Century Code chapter 43-26.1 or holding a North Dakota compact privilege in accordance with North Dakota Century Code chapter 43-26.2 who assists a physical therapist in selected components of physical therapy intervention.

12. "Physical therapy" means the care and services by or under the direction of a physical therapist.

13. "Physical therapy aide" means an individual trained under the direction of a physical therapist who performs designated and supervised routine tasks related to physical therapy.

14. "Practice of physical therapy" means:

15. "Restricted license" for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant means a license on which the board places restrictions or conditions, or both, as to scope of practice, place of practice, supervision of practice, duration of licensed status, or type or condition of patient or client to whom the licensee may provide services.

16. "Student" is an individual who is currently engaged in the fulfillment of a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant educational program approved by the board.

17. "Supportive personnel" are physical therapist assistants and physical therapy aides working in a physical therapy setting.

18. "Telehealth" is the use of electronic communications to provide and deliver health-related information and health care services, including physical therapy-related information and services, over any distance. Telehealth encompasses health care and health promotion activities, including education, advice, reminders, interventions, and the monitoring of interventions.

19. "Testing" means standard methods and techniques used to gather data about the patient.