California Physical Therapy
Jurisprudence Practice Exam Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
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1. Which California agency regulates physical therapists and physical therapist
assistants?
A. California Medical Board
B. Department of Consumer Affairs
C. California Physical Therapy Board
D. Occupational Safety Division
Answer: California Physical Therapy Board
Rationale: The Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) is the state agency
responsible for licensing and regulating PTs and PTAs in California.
2. What is required before a physical therapist may legally practice in
California?
A. CPR certification only
B. National licensure only
C. California state licensure
D. Physician sponsorship
,Answer: California state licensure
Rationale: California law requires all PTs to hold an active California license
before practicing physical therapy.
3. Which law primarily governs physical therapy practice in California?
A. Nurse Practice Act
B. Physical Therapy Practice Act
C. Medical Practice Act
D. Health Insurance Act
Answer: Physical Therapy Practice Act
Rationale: The California Physical Therapy Practice Act establishes legal
standards for PT practice, licensure, and discipline.
4. A PTA may provide treatment only under:
A. Independent authority
B. Physician supervision only
C. PT supervision
D. Hospital administration supervision
Answer: PT supervision
Rationale: California law requires PTAs to work under the supervision and
direction of a licensed physical therapist.
5. Which professional is ultimately responsible for patient care provided by a
PTA?
,A. The physician
B. The PTA
C. The supervising PT
D. The clinic manager
Answer: The supervising PT
Rationale: The supervising PT retains responsibility for all care delegated to the
PTA.
6. Which activity is outside the legal scope of practice for a PTA?
A. Therapeutic exercise
B. Gait training
C. Initial patient evaluation
D. Application of modalities
Answer: Initial patient evaluation
Rationale: PTAs cannot perform initial evaluations, establish diagnoses, or
develop plans of care.
7. A physical therapist may practice in California under direct access
provisions for how many calendar days before a physician referral is
required if no progress is made?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
Answer: 45 days
, Rationale: California direct access law permits treatment for up to 45 calendar
days or 12 visits, whichever occurs first, unless specified conditions are met.
8. Under California direct access law, treatment may continue without
physician referral for up to:
A. 8 visits
B. 10 visits
C. 12 visits
D. 20 visits
Answer: 12 visits
Rationale: The law limits treatment under direct access to 12 visits or 45 days
before additional physician involvement is required.
9. Which action must occur if a patient shows no improvement under direct
access care?
A. Discharge immediately
B. Refer to another PTA
C. Consult with an appropriate healthcare provider
D. Continue treatment indefinitely
Answer: Consult with an appropriate healthcare provider
Rationale: PTs must consult with an appropriate healthcare provider if the
patient is not progressing as expected.
10.Which abbreviation is legally protected for licensed physical therapists in
California?
Jurisprudence Practice Exam Questions
and Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download pdf
1. Which California agency regulates physical therapists and physical therapist
assistants?
A. California Medical Board
B. Department of Consumer Affairs
C. California Physical Therapy Board
D. Occupational Safety Division
Answer: California Physical Therapy Board
Rationale: The Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC) is the state agency
responsible for licensing and regulating PTs and PTAs in California.
2. What is required before a physical therapist may legally practice in
California?
A. CPR certification only
B. National licensure only
C. California state licensure
D. Physician sponsorship
,Answer: California state licensure
Rationale: California law requires all PTs to hold an active California license
before practicing physical therapy.
3. Which law primarily governs physical therapy practice in California?
A. Nurse Practice Act
B. Physical Therapy Practice Act
C. Medical Practice Act
D. Health Insurance Act
Answer: Physical Therapy Practice Act
Rationale: The California Physical Therapy Practice Act establishes legal
standards for PT practice, licensure, and discipline.
4. A PTA may provide treatment only under:
A. Independent authority
B. Physician supervision only
C. PT supervision
D. Hospital administration supervision
Answer: PT supervision
Rationale: California law requires PTAs to work under the supervision and
direction of a licensed physical therapist.
5. Which professional is ultimately responsible for patient care provided by a
PTA?
,A. The physician
B. The PTA
C. The supervising PT
D. The clinic manager
Answer: The supervising PT
Rationale: The supervising PT retains responsibility for all care delegated to the
PTA.
6. Which activity is outside the legal scope of practice for a PTA?
A. Therapeutic exercise
B. Gait training
C. Initial patient evaluation
D. Application of modalities
Answer: Initial patient evaluation
Rationale: PTAs cannot perform initial evaluations, establish diagnoses, or
develop plans of care.
7. A physical therapist may practice in California under direct access
provisions for how many calendar days before a physician referral is
required if no progress is made?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
Answer: 45 days
, Rationale: California direct access law permits treatment for up to 45 calendar
days or 12 visits, whichever occurs first, unless specified conditions are met.
8. Under California direct access law, treatment may continue without
physician referral for up to:
A. 8 visits
B. 10 visits
C. 12 visits
D. 20 visits
Answer: 12 visits
Rationale: The law limits treatment under direct access to 12 visits or 45 days
before additional physician involvement is required.
9. Which action must occur if a patient shows no improvement under direct
access care?
A. Discharge immediately
B. Refer to another PTA
C. Consult with an appropriate healthcare provider
D. Continue treatment indefinitely
Answer: Consult with an appropriate healthcare provider
Rationale: PTs must consult with an appropriate healthcare provider if the
patient is not progressing as expected.
10.Which abbreviation is legally protected for licensed physical therapists in
California?
