FLORIDA PT JURISPRUDENCE STUDY
BUNDLE 2026/2027 | Complete
Questions & Answers | Laws and Rules
Review | Verified Solutions | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: LEGISLATIVE INTENT & DEFINITIONS
Question 1: According to Chapter 486, Florida Statutes, what is the sole legislative
purpose in enacting the Physical Therapy Practice Act?
A) To ensure maximum profitability for physical therapy practitioners
B) To ensure that every physical therapy practitioner meets minimum requirements for
safe practice
C) To protect the economic interests of physical therapists
D) To create employment opportunities for physical therapy assistants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 486.015 states that "The sole legislative purpose in enacting
this chapter is to ensure that every physical therapy practitioner practicing in this state
,meets minimum requirements for safe practice. It is the legislative intent that physical
therapy practitioners who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a
danger to the public be prohibited from practicing in this state" . This is the
foundational principle guiding all regulatory actions by the Board.
Question 2: The terms "physical therapy" and "physiotherapy" are:
A) Distinct practices with different scopes
B) Deemed identical and interchangeable with each other
C) Determined by the practitioner's educational background
D) Only used in different practice settings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to Florida Statute 486.021(8), "Physical therapy" or
"physiotherapy," which terms are deemed identical and interchangeable with each
other, means a health care profession . This is a frequently tested definition on the
jurisprudence exam.
Question 3: Which definition accurately describes a "physical therapist assistant"
under Florida law?
A) A person who practices physical therapy independently without supervision
B) A person licensed to perform patient-related activities under the direction of a
physical therapist
C) A person who can evaluate and diagnose patients
D) A person who supervises physical therapists
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 486.021(6) defines a physical therapist assistant as "a person
who is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter to perform patient-
related activities, including the use of physical agents, whose license is in good standing,
and whose activities are performed under the direction of a physical therapist" . The PTA
must have a license in good standing and practice under the direction of a physical
therapist.
Question 4: What is "direct supervision" as defined under Florida law?
A) Supervision via telephone consultation
B) Supervision that requires the physical presence of the licensed physical therapist
C) Supervision through video conferencing only
D) Supervision by any licensed healthcare practitioner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 486.021(9) defines "direct supervision" as "supervision by a
physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter. Except in a case of
emergency, direct supervision requires the physical presence of the licensed physical
therapist for consultation and direction of the actions of a physical therapist or physical
therapist assistant who is practicing under a temporary permit and who is a candidate
for licensure by examination" . Direct supervision requires the PT to be physically
present.
Question 5: Which of the following professions can serve as a "practitioner of
record" for signing a physical therapist's plan of care?
, A) Pharmacist
B) Chiropractor
C) Occupational Therapist
D) Registered Nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Florida Statute 486.021(11)(a), a health care practitioner licensed
under chapter 458 (Physician), chapter 459 (Osteopathic Medicine), chapter 460
(Chiropractic), chapter 461 (Podiatry), or chapter 466 (Dentistry) and engaged in active
practice is eligible to serve as a practitioner of record . A pharmacist is NOT included in
this list .
Question 6: What is the definition of "dry needling" under Florida law?
A) Acupuncture performed by a physical therapist
B) A skilled intervention using filiform needles to stimulate myofascial trigger points
C) A non-invasive electrical stimulation technique
D) A surgical procedure for musculoskeletal conditions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 486.021(12) defines "dry needling" as "a skilled intervention,
based on Western medicine, that uses filiform needles and other apparatus or
equipment to stimulate a myofascial trigger point for the evaluation and management
of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain, movement impairments, and disabilities" . This
is distinguished from acupuncture, which involves different theoretical foundations.
BUNDLE 2026/2027 | Complete
Questions & Answers | Laws and Rules
Review | Verified Solutions | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: LEGISLATIVE INTENT & DEFINITIONS
Question 1: According to Chapter 486, Florida Statutes, what is the sole legislative
purpose in enacting the Physical Therapy Practice Act?
A) To ensure maximum profitability for physical therapy practitioners
B) To ensure that every physical therapy practitioner meets minimum requirements for
safe practice
C) To protect the economic interests of physical therapists
D) To create employment opportunities for physical therapy assistants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 486.015 states that "The sole legislative purpose in enacting
this chapter is to ensure that every physical therapy practitioner practicing in this state
,meets minimum requirements for safe practice. It is the legislative intent that physical
therapy practitioners who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a
danger to the public be prohibited from practicing in this state" . This is the
foundational principle guiding all regulatory actions by the Board.
Question 2: The terms "physical therapy" and "physiotherapy" are:
A) Distinct practices with different scopes
B) Deemed identical and interchangeable with each other
C) Determined by the practitioner's educational background
D) Only used in different practice settings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to Florida Statute 486.021(8), "Physical therapy" or
"physiotherapy," which terms are deemed identical and interchangeable with each
other, means a health care profession . This is a frequently tested definition on the
jurisprudence exam.
Question 3: Which definition accurately describes a "physical therapist assistant"
under Florida law?
A) A person who practices physical therapy independently without supervision
B) A person licensed to perform patient-related activities under the direction of a
physical therapist
C) A person who can evaluate and diagnose patients
D) A person who supervises physical therapists
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 486.021(6) defines a physical therapist assistant as "a person
who is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter to perform patient-
related activities, including the use of physical agents, whose license is in good standing,
and whose activities are performed under the direction of a physical therapist" . The PTA
must have a license in good standing and practice under the direction of a physical
therapist.
Question 4: What is "direct supervision" as defined under Florida law?
A) Supervision via telephone consultation
B) Supervision that requires the physical presence of the licensed physical therapist
C) Supervision through video conferencing only
D) Supervision by any licensed healthcare practitioner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 486.021(9) defines "direct supervision" as "supervision by a
physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter. Except in a case of
emergency, direct supervision requires the physical presence of the licensed physical
therapist for consultation and direction of the actions of a physical therapist or physical
therapist assistant who is practicing under a temporary permit and who is a candidate
for licensure by examination" . Direct supervision requires the PT to be physically
present.
Question 5: Which of the following professions can serve as a "practitioner of
record" for signing a physical therapist's plan of care?
, A) Pharmacist
B) Chiropractor
C) Occupational Therapist
D) Registered Nurse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Florida Statute 486.021(11)(a), a health care practitioner licensed
under chapter 458 (Physician), chapter 459 (Osteopathic Medicine), chapter 460
(Chiropractic), chapter 461 (Podiatry), or chapter 466 (Dentistry) and engaged in active
practice is eligible to serve as a practitioner of record . A pharmacist is NOT included in
this list .
Question 6: What is the definition of "dry needling" under Florida law?
A) Acupuncture performed by a physical therapist
B) A skilled intervention using filiform needles to stimulate myofascial trigger points
C) A non-invasive electrical stimulation technique
D) A surgical procedure for musculoskeletal conditions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 486.021(12) defines "dry needling" as "a skilled intervention,
based on Western medicine, that uses filiform needles and other apparatus or
equipment to stimulate a myofascial trigger point for the evaluation and management
of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain, movement impairments, and disabilities" . This
is distinguished from acupuncture, which involves different theoretical foundations.
