{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-3481.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-3481.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-3481.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-3481.html"}],"law_id":81083,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81083,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3481","catch_line":"Unlawful designation as physical therapist or physical therapist assistant; penalty","history":"2000, c. 688; 2010, cc. 70, 368; 2025, c. 333.","full_text":"A\n\nIt is unlawful for any person who is not licensed under this chapter, or whose license has been suspended or revoked or who licensure has lapsed and has not been renewed, to use in conjunction with his name the letters or words “D.P.T.,” “Doctor of Physical Therapy,” “R.P.T.,” “Registered Physical Therapist,” “L.P.T.,” “Licensed Physical Therapist,” “P.T.,” “Physical Therapist,” “Physio-therapist,” “P.T.A.,” “Physical Therapist Assistant,” “Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant,” or to otherwise by letters, words, representations or insignias assert or imply that he is a licensed physical therapist. The title to designate a licensed physical therapist shall be “P.T.” The title to designate a physical therapist assistant shall show such fact plainly on its face.B\n\nNo person shall advertise services using the words “physical therapy” or “physiotherapy” unless those services are provided by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed pursuant to this chapter.C\n\nA complaint or report of a possible violation of this section by any person who is licensed, certified, registered, or permitted, or who holds a multistate licensure privilege issued by any of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions shall be referred to the applicable board within the Department for disciplinary action.D\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or limit the legally authorized scope of practice of any profession licensed, certified, registered, permitted, or recognized under a multistate licensure privilege issued by any of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions prior to January 1, 2010.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":290595,"text":"It is unlawful for any person who is not licensed under this chapter, or whose license has been suspended or revoked or who licensure has lapsed and has not been renewed, to use in conjunction with his name the letters or words “D.P.T.,” “Doctor of Physical Therapy,” “R.P.T.,” “Registered Physical Therapist,” “L.P.T.,” “Licensed Physical Therapist,” “P.T.,” “Physical Therapist,” “Physio-therapist,” “P.T.A.,” “Physical Therapist Assistant,” “Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant,” or to otherwise by letters, words, representations or insignias assert or imply that he is a licensed physical therapist. The title to designate a licensed physical therapist shall be “P.T.” The title to designate a physical therapist assistant shall show such fact plainly on its face.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":290596,"text":"No person shall advertise services using the words “physical therapy” or “physiotherapy” unless those services are provided by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed pursuant to this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":290597,"text":"A complaint or report of a possible violation of this section by any person who is licensed, certified, registered, or permitted, or who holds a multistate licensure privilege issued by any of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions shall be referred to the applicable board within the Department for disciplinary action.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":290598,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or limit the legally authorized scope of practice of any profession licensed, certified, registered, permitted, or recognized under a multistate licensure privilege issued by any of the health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions prior to January 1, 2010.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13029,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13028,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","permalink":{"id":243755,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13029,"identifier":"1","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1","url":"\/54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13028,"edition_id":1,"name":"Physical Therapy","identifier":"34.1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","permalink":{"id":243753,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13028,"identifier":"34.1","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1","url":"\/54.1\/III\/34.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74858,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3473","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/54.1-3473\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3473","metadata":false},{"id":63892,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3474","catch_line":"Unlawful to practice without license; continuing competency requirements","url":"\/54.1-3474\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3474","metadata":false},{"id":66177,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3475","catch_line":"Board of Physical Therapy; appointment; qualifications; officers; nominations","url":"\/54.1-3475\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3475","metadata":false},{"id":74588,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3476","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/54.1-3476\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3476","metadata":false},{"id":64809,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3477","catch_line":"Requirements for licensure as a physical therapist","url":"\/54.1-3477\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3477","metadata":false},{"id":58638,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3478","catch_line":"Requirements for licensure as a physical therapist assistant","url":"\/54.1-3478\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3478","metadata":false},{"id":54167,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3479","catch_line":"Licensure by examination or endorsement; traineeships","url":"\/54.1-3479\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3479","metadata":false},{"id":83068,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3480","catch_line":"Refusal, revocation or suspension","url":"\/54.1-3480\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3480","metadata":false},{"id":71679,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3480.1","catch_line":"Continuing education","url":"\/54.1-3480.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3480.1","metadata":false},{"id":81083,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3481","catch_line":"Unlawful designation as physical therapist or physical therapist assistant; penalty","url":"\/54.1-3481\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3481","metadata":false},{"id":67450,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3482","catch_line":"Practice of physical therapy; certain experience and referrals required; physical therapist assistants","url":"\/54.1-3482\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3482","metadata":false},{"id":82294,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3482.1","catch_line":"Certain certification required","url":"\/54.1-3482.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3482.1","metadata":false},{"id":85169,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3483","catch_line":"Unprofessional conduct","url":"\/54.1-3483\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3483","metadata":false},{"id":54094,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3484","catch_line":"Criminal history background checks","url":"\/54.1-3484\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3484","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":71679,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3480.1","catch_line":"Continuing education","url":"\/54.1-3480.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3480.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":67450,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3482","catch_line":"Practice of physical therapy; certain experience and referrals required; physical therapist assistants","url":"\/54.1-3482\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3482","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-3481\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2000. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 688<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2010, chapters 70<\/a> and 368<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 333<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":243793,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81083,"identifier":"54.1-3481","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3481","url":"\/54.1-3481\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-3481\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3481","dublin_core":{"Title":"Unlawful designation as physical therapist or physical therapist assistant; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-3481","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It is unlawful for any person who is not licensed under this chapter, or whose license has been suspended or revoked or who licensure has lapsed and has not been renewed, to use in conjunction with his name the letters or words “D.P.T.,” “Doctor of Physical Therapy,” “R.P.T.,” “Registered Physical Therapist,” “L.P.T.,” “Licensed Physical Therapist,” “P.T.,” “Physical Therapist,” “Physio-therapist,” “P.T.A.,” “Physical Therapist Assistant<\/span>,” “Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant<\/span>,” or to otherwise by letters, words, representations or insignias assert or imply that he is a licensed physical therapist. The title to designate a licensed physical therapist shall be “P.T.” The title to designate a physical therapist assistant<\/span> shall show such fact<\/span> plainly on its face. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No person shall advertise services using the words “physical therapy” or “physiotherapy” unless those services are provided by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant<\/span> licensed pursuant to this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A complaint or report of a possible violation of this section by any person who is licensed, certified, registered, or permitted, or who holds a multistate licensure privilege<\/span> issued by any of the health regulatory boards<\/span> within the Department of Health Professions shall be referred to the applicable board<\/span> within the Department for disciplinary action. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or limit the legally authorized scope of practice of any profession licensed, certified, registered, permitted, or recognized under a multistate licensure privilege<\/span> issued by any of the health regulatory boards<\/span> within the Department of Health Professions prior to January 1, 2010. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUNLAWFUL DESIGNATION AS PHYSICAL THERAPIST OR PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT;\nPENALTY (\u00a7 54.1-3481)\n\nA. It is unlawful for any person who is not licensed under this chapter, or\nwhose license has been suspended or revoked or who licensure has lapsed and has\nnot been renewed, to use in conjunction with his name the letters or words\n“D.P.T.,” “Doctor of Physical Therapy,”\n“R.P.T.,” “Registered Physical Therapist,”\n“L.P.T.,” “Licensed Physical Therapist,”\n“P.T.,” “Physical Therapist,”\n“Physio-therapist,” “P.T.A.,” “Physical Therapist\nAssistant,” “Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant,” or to\notherwise by letters, words, representations or insignias assert or imply that\nhe is a licensed physical therapist. The title to designate a licensed physical\ntherapist shall be “P.T.” The title to designate a physical\ntherapist assistant shall show such fact plainly on its face.\n\nB. No person shall advertise services using the words “physical\ntherapy” or “physiotherapy” unless those services are provided\nby a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed pursuant to\nthis chapter.\n\nC. A complaint or report of a possible violation of this section by any person\nwho is licensed, certified, registered, or permitted, or who holds a multistate\nlicensure privilege issued by any of the health regulatory boards within the\nDepartment of Health Professions shall be referred to the applicable board\nwithin the Department for disciplinary action.\n\nD. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or limit the legally\nauthorized scope of practice of any profession licensed, certified, registered,\npermitted, or recognized under a multistate licensure privilege issued by any of\nthe health regulatory boards within the Department of Health Professions prior\nto January 1, 2010.\n\nHISTORY: 2000, c. 688; 2010, cc. 70, 368; 2025, c. 333.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}