{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-3483.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-3483.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-3483.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-3483.html"}],"law_id":85169,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85169,"structure_id":13029,"section_number":"54.1-3483","catch_line":"Unprofessional conduct","history":"2000, c. 688; 2001, c. 858; 2020, c. 885.","full_text":"Any physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed by the Board or practicing pursuant to a compact privilege, as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3486, approved by the Board shall be considered guilty of unprofessional conduct if he:\n\n1\n\nEngages in the practice of physical therapy under a false or assumed name or impersonates another practitioner of a like, similar or different name;2\n\nKnowingly and willfully commits any act which is a felony under the laws of this Commonwealth or the United States, or any act which is a misdemeanor under such laws and involves moral turpitude;3\n\nAids or abets, has professional contact with, or lends his name to any person known to him to be practicing physical therapy illegally;4\n\nConducts his practice in such a manner as to be a danger to the health and welfare of his patients or to the public;5\n\nIs unable to practice with reasonable skill or safety because of illness or substance abuse;6\n\nPublishes in any manner an advertisement that violates Board regulations governing advertising;7\n\nPerforms any act likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public;8\n\nViolates any provision of statute or regulation, state or federal, relating to controlled substances;9\n\nViolates or cooperates with others in violating any of the provisions of this chapter or regulations of the Board; or10\n\nEngages in sexual contact with a patient concurrent with and by virtue of the practitioner\/patient relationship or otherwise engages at any time during the course of the practitioner\/patient relationship in conduct of a sexual nature that a reasonable patient would consider lewd and offensive.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":305187,"text":"Any physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed by the Board or practicing pursuant to a compact privilege, as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3486, approved by the Board shall be considered guilty of unprofessional conduct if he:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":305188,"text":"Engages in the practice of physical therapy under a false or assumed name or impersonates another practitioner of a like, similar or different name;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":305189,"text":"Knowingly and willfully commits any act which is a felony under the laws of this Commonwealth or the United States, or any act which is a misdemeanor under such laws and involves moral turpitude;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":305190,"text":"Aids or abets, has professional contact with, or lends his name to any person known to him to be practicing physical therapy illegally;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":305191,"text":"Conducts his practice in such a manner as to be a danger to the health and welfare of his patients or to the public;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":305192,"text":"Is unable to practice with reasonable skill or safety because of illness or substance abuse;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":305193,"text":"Publishes in any manner an advertisement that violates Board regulations governing advertising;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":305194,"text":"Performs any act likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":305195,"text":"Violates any provision of statute or regulation, state or federal, relating to controlled substances;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":305196,"text":"Violates or cooperates with others in violating any of the provisions of this chapter or regulations of the Board; or","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":305197,"text":"Engages in sexual contact with a patient concurrent with and by virtue of the practitioner\/patient relationship or otherwise engages at any time during the course of the practitioner\/patient relationship in conduct of a sexual nature that a reasonable patient would consider lewd and offensive.","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-3483\/","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 2001, chapter 858<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 885<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":65868,"section_number":"54.1-3486","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3486\/"}],"permalink":{"id":243805,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85169,"identifier":"54.1-3483","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3483","url":"\/54.1-3483\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-3483\/","token":"54.1\/III\/34.1\/1\/54.1-3483","dublin_core":{"Title":"Unprofessional conduct","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-3483","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Any physical therapist or physical therapist assistant<\/span> licensed by the Board<\/span> or practicing pursuant to a compact privilege<\/span>, as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3486<\/a>, approved by the Board<\/span> shall be considered guilty of unprofessional conduct if he:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Engages in the practice of physical therapy<\/span> under a false or assumed name or impersonates another practitioner of a like, similar or different name; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Knowingly and willfully commits any act which is a felony<\/span> under the laws<\/span> of this Commonwealth or the United States, or any act which is a misdemeanor<\/span> under such laws<\/span> and involves moral turpitude<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Aids or abets, has professional contact with, or lends his name to any person known to him to be practicing physical therapy illegally; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Conducts his practice in such a manner as to be a danger to the health and welfare of his patients or to the public; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Is unable to practice with reasonable skill or safety because of illness or substance abuse; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Publishes in any manner an advertisement that violates Board<\/span> regulations governing advertising; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Performs any act likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Violates any provision of statute<\/span> or regulation, state or federal, relating to controlled substances; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Violates or cooperates with others in violating any of the provisions of this chapter or regulations of the Board<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Engages in sexual contact with a patient concurrent with and by virtue of the practitioner\/patient relationship or otherwise engages at any time during the course of the practitioner\/patient relationship in conduct of a sexual nature that a reasonable patient would consider lewd and offensive. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT (\u00a7 54.1-3483)\n\nAny physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed by the Board or\npracticing pursuant to a compact privilege, as defined in \u00a7 54.1-3486, approved\nby the Board shall be considered guilty of unprofessional conduct if he:\n\n1. Engages in the practice of physical therapy under a false or assumed name or\nimpersonates another practitioner of a like, similar or different name;\n\n2. Knowingly and willfully commits any act which is a felony under the laws of\nthis Commonwealth or the United States, or any act which is a misdemeanor under\nsuch laws and involves moral turpitude;\n\n3. Aids or abets, has professional contact with, or lends his name to any person\nknown to him to be practicing physical therapy illegally;\n\n4. Conducts his practice in such a manner as to be a danger to the health and\nwelfare of his patients or to the public;\n\n5. Is unable to practice with reasonable skill or safety because of illness or\nsubstance abuse;\n\n6. Publishes in any manner an advertisement that violates Board regulations\ngoverning advertising;\n\n7. Performs any act likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public;\n\n8. Violates any provision of statute or regulation, state or federal, relating\nto controlled substances;\n\n9. Violates or cooperates with others in violating any of the provisions of this\nchapter or regulations of the Board; or\n\n10. Engages in sexual contact with a patient concurrent with and by virtue of\nthe practitioner\/patient relationship or otherwise engages at any time during\nthe course of the practitioner\/patient relationship in conduct of a sexual\nnature that a reasonable patient would consider lewd and offensive.\n\nHISTORY: 2000, c. 688; 2001, c. 858; 2020, c. 885.","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}}