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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>65868</law_id><section_number>54.1-3486</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>54.1-3480</reference><reference>54.1-3483</reference></referred_to_by><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="2">Physical Therapy Licensure Compact</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall apply:
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Active duty military</span>&#x201D; means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United <span class="dictionary">States</span>, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty <span class="dictionary">orders</span> pursuant to 10 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7;&#xA0;1209 and 1211.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Adverse action</span>&#x201D; means disciplinary action taken by a <span class="dictionary">physical therapy licensing board</span> based upon misconduct, unacceptable performance, or a combination of both.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Alternative program</span>&#x201D; means a nondisciplinary monitoring or practice remediation process approved by a <span class="dictionary">physical therapy licensing board</span>. This includes, but is not limited to, substance abuse <span class="dictionary">issues</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Compact privilege</span>&#x201D; means the authorization granted by a <span class="dictionary">remote state</span> to allow a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> from another <span class="dictionary">member state</span> to practice as a physical therapist or work as a <span class="dictionary">physical therapist assistant</span> in the <span class="dictionary">remote state</span> under its <span class="dictionary">laws</span> and <span class="dictionary">rules</span>. <span class="dictionary">The <span class="dictionary">practice of physical therapy</span></span> occurs in the <span class="dictionary">member state</span> where the patient/client is located at the time of the patient/client encounter.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Continuing competence</span>&#x201D; means a requirement, as a condition of license renewal, to provide <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of participation in, and/or completion of, educational and professional activities relevant to practice or area of work.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Data system</span>&#x201D; means a repository of information about <span class="dictionary">licensees</span>, including examination, licensure, investigative, <span class="dictionary">compact privilege</span>, and <span class="dictionary">adverse action</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Encumbered license</span>&#x201D; means a license that a <span class="dictionary">physical therapy licensing board</span> has limited in any way.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Executive Board</span>&#x201D; means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them, by the Commission.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Home state</span>&#x201D; means the <span class="dictionary">member state</span> that is the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>&#x2019;s primary state of residence.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Investigative information</span>&#x201D; means information, records, and documents received or generated by a <span class="dictionary">physical therapy licensing board</span> pursuant to an investigation.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Jurisprudence requirement</span>&#x201D; means the assessment of an individual&#x2019;s knowledge of the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> and <span class="dictionary">rules</span> governing <span class="dictionary">the <span class="dictionary">practice of physical therapy</span></span> in a state.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Licensee</span>&#x201D; means an individual who currently holds an authorization from the state to practice as a physical therapist or to work as a <span class="dictionary">physical therapist assistant</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Member state</span>&#x201D; means a state that has enacted the Compact.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Party state</span>&#x201D; means any <span class="dictionary">member state</span> in which a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> holds a current license or <span class="dictionary">compact privilege</span> or is applying for a license or <span class="dictionary">compact privilege</span>.
		&#x201C;Physical therapist&#x201D; means an individual who is licensed by a state to practice physical therapy.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Physical therapist assistant</span>&#x201D; means an individual who is licensed or certified by a state and who assists the physical therapist in selected components of physical therapy.
		&#x201C;Physical therapy,&#x201D; &#x201C;physical therapy practice,&#x201D; and &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">the <span class="dictionary">practice of physical therapy</span></span>&#x201D; mean the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist as defined by &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/54.1-3473/">54.1-3473</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Physical Therapy Compact Commission</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;Commission&#x201D; means the national administrative body whose membership consists of all <span class="dictionary">states</span> that have enacted the Compact.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Physical therapy licensing board</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;licensing board&#x201D; means the agency of a state that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of <span class="dictionary">physical therapists</span> and <span class="dictionary">physical therapist assistants</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Remote state</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">member state</span> other than the <span class="dictionary">home state</span>, where a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> is exercising or seeking to exercise the <span class="dictionary">compact privilege</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Rule</span>&#x201D; means a regulation, principle, or directive promulgated by the Commission that has the force of <span class="dictionary">law</span>.
		&#x201C;State&#x201D; means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United <span class="dictionary">States</span> of America that regulates <span class="dictionary">the <span class="dictionary">practice of physical therapy</span></span>.</p></section></text><history>2019, c. 300.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
