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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>81083</law_id><section_number>54.1-3481</section_number><catch_line>Unlawful designation as physical therapist or physical therapist assistant; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="54.1">Professions and Occupations</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="34.1">Physical Therapy</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">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 &#x201C;D.P.T.,&#x201D; &#x201C;Doctor of Physical Therapy,&#x201D; &#x201C;R.P.T.,&#x201D; &#x201C;Registered Physical Therapist,&#x201D; &#x201C;L.P.T.,&#x201D; &#x201C;Licensed Physical Therapist,&#x201D; &#x201C;P.T.,&#x201D; &#x201C;Physical Therapist,&#x201D; &#x201C;Physio-therapist,&#x201D; &#x201C;P.T.A.,&#x201D; &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Physical Therapist Assistant</span>,&#x201D; &#x201C;Licensed <span class="dictionary">Physical Therapist Assistant</span>,&#x201D; 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 &#x201C;P.T.&#x201D; The title to designate a <span class="dictionary">physical therapist assistant</span> shall show such <span class="dictionary">fact</span> plainly on its face. <a id="paragraph-290595" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3481/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> No person shall advertise services using the words &#x201C;physical therapy&#x201D; or &#x201C;physiotherapy&#x201D; unless those services are provided by a physical therapist or <span class="dictionary">physical therapist assistant</span> licensed pursuant to this chapter. <a id="paragraph-290596" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3481/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">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 <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> issued by any of the health regulatory <span class="dictionary">boards</span> within the Department of Health Professions shall be referred to the applicable <span class="dictionary">board</span> within the Department for disciplinary action. <a id="paragraph-290597" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3481/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">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 <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> issued by any of the health regulatory <span class="dictionary">boards</span> within the Department of Health Professions prior to January 1, 2010. <a id="paragraph-290598" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/54.1-3481/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2000, c. 688; 2010, cc. 70, 368; 2025, c. 333.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
