                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

UNLAWFUL DESIGNATION AS PHYSICAL THERAPIST OR PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT;
PENALTY (§ 54.1-3481)

A. 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
&#8220;D.P.T.,&#8221; &#8220;Doctor of Physical Therapy,&#8221;
&#8220;R.P.T.,&#8221; &#8220;Registered Physical Therapist,&#8221;
&#8220;L.P.T.,&#8221; &#8220;Licensed Physical Therapist,&#8221;
&#8220;P.T.,&#8221; &#8220;Physical Therapist,&#8221;
&#8220;Physio-therapist,&#8221; &#8220;P.T.A.,&#8221; &#8220;Physical Therapist
Assistant,&#8221; &#8220;Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant,&#8221; 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 &#8220;P.T.&#8221; The title to designate a physical
therapist assistant shall show such fact plainly on its face.

B. No person shall advertise services using the words &#8220;physical
therapy&#8221; or &#8220;physiotherapy&#8221; unless those services are provided
by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed pursuant to
this chapter.

C. 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.

D. 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.

HISTORY: 2000, c. 688; 2010, cc. 70, 368; 2025, c. 333.