CA PT Law Exam Study Guide
What is the definition of physical therapy? - correct answer ✔✔The practice of physical therapy includes
the promotion and maintenance of physical fitness through the use of physical therapy interventions in
order to enhance the bodily movement as related to the health and wellness of individuals.
Interventions include the use of the properties associated with heat, light, water, electricity as well as
exercise based interventions. The implications of physical therapy upon mental conditions may be
associated with exercises that affect areas such as stress and/or anxiety.
Who is the "physical therapist of record"? - correct answer ✔✔The PT who completed the initial eval.
You can transfer to another therapist but it must be in writing.
True or False: physiotherapy and physical therapy are the same? - correct answer ✔✔True
True or False: PT aide and PT technician can be used interchangeably? - correct answer ✔✔True
What are the powers and duties of the PTBC? - correct answer ✔✔1. Create/enforce Practice Act
2. Protect the public is HIGHEST priority
3. Issue/suspend/revoke/discipline PT licensees in CA
4. Administer a continuing competency program
5. Publish at least 1x a year a newsletter denoting actions taken by the board
6. Inspect PT facilities and patient records
7. Hear matters related to reinstatement or modification of probation.
8. Appoint individuals to proctor exams
9. Investigate applicants to determine if requirements for licensure have been met.
How many days is given to release a patient's record after written authorization has been approved? -
correct answer ✔✔15 days.
$1000 fee per each day late
,Who comprises the board? - correct answer ✔✔1 PT involved in education
3 PTs with >5 years experience and are currently licensed
3 public members who are citizens of CA but not licensed medical professionals
True or False: The Governor of CA appoints the PT member and 1 public member to the board? - correct
answer ✔✔True
True or False: President and VP of the board are determined by the governor of CA? - correct answer
✔✔False- elected by board members
How long is a board members term? - correct answer ✔✔4 years- expires 1st day of June. No person can
serve more than two consecutive terms (8 years max)
What are the qualifications for PT/PTA licensure? - correct answer ✔✔1. >18 years old
2. Not addicted to any substances
3. Completed education and training
4. Not committed any crimes
What do the legislative numbers mean? - correct answer ✔✔<1000= business/profession code
1000-2000= CA code of regulations
>2000= specific to PT practice act
True or False: A graduate can work as PTLA under direct and immediate supervision of a licensed PT for
120 days pending results of first licensing exam he/she is eligible for? - correct answer ✔✔True
True or False: A licensed supervising PT must be on-site at ALL times and must have a documented
receipt of the letter authorizing the PTLA to practice as well as a record of the expiration date of that
status? - correct answer ✔✔True
True or False: Once a PTLA passes the NPTE, their status changes and they can identify as a physical
therapist? - correct answer ✔✔False- PTLA status will remain in effect until a license is issued and only
then can they identify as a physical therapist.
, What happens if a new grad does not take the exam during the first possible test cycle? - correct answer
✔✔The graduate can no longer practice as a PTLA
True or False: PTLAs can supervise a PTA or aide providing patient related tasks? - correct answer
✔✔False- they can not
True or False: The rules for PTLA and PTALAs are the same? - correct answer ✔✔True
1. 120 days of status
2. a licensed PT must be on site at all times and carry necessary documentation as well as expiration date
of status
3. status remains in effect after passing the exam until license is granted
4. if the exam is failed or they dont register for the soonest test they can no longer practice as a PTALA
How can someone become a PTA without going to PTA shcool? - correct answer ✔✔If the board finds
someone to have proper training/adequate experience equivalent to that received a PTA school and they
meet the requirements for licensure they may apply for licensure as a PTA
Who creates the licensing exam for PTs and PTAs? - correct answer ✔✔Federation of State Boards of
Physical Therapy (FSPT)
What does the PTBC stand for? - correct answer ✔✔Physical Therapy Board of California
What exams are required to obtain a CA PT/PTA license? - correct answer ✔✔1. State laws and
regulations
2. NPTE
How many times is an applicant allowed to sit for the NPTE per application per 12-month time period? -
correct answer ✔✔3
What is the definition of physical therapy? - correct answer ✔✔The practice of physical therapy includes
the promotion and maintenance of physical fitness through the use of physical therapy interventions in
order to enhance the bodily movement as related to the health and wellness of individuals.
Interventions include the use of the properties associated with heat, light, water, electricity as well as
exercise based interventions. The implications of physical therapy upon mental conditions may be
associated with exercises that affect areas such as stress and/or anxiety.
Who is the "physical therapist of record"? - correct answer ✔✔The PT who completed the initial eval.
You can transfer to another therapist but it must be in writing.
True or False: physiotherapy and physical therapy are the same? - correct answer ✔✔True
True or False: PT aide and PT technician can be used interchangeably? - correct answer ✔✔True
What are the powers and duties of the PTBC? - correct answer ✔✔1. Create/enforce Practice Act
2. Protect the public is HIGHEST priority
3. Issue/suspend/revoke/discipline PT licensees in CA
4. Administer a continuing competency program
5. Publish at least 1x a year a newsletter denoting actions taken by the board
6. Inspect PT facilities and patient records
7. Hear matters related to reinstatement or modification of probation.
8. Appoint individuals to proctor exams
9. Investigate applicants to determine if requirements for licensure have been met.
How many days is given to release a patient's record after written authorization has been approved? -
correct answer ✔✔15 days.
$1000 fee per each day late
,Who comprises the board? - correct answer ✔✔1 PT involved in education
3 PTs with >5 years experience and are currently licensed
3 public members who are citizens of CA but not licensed medical professionals
True or False: The Governor of CA appoints the PT member and 1 public member to the board? - correct
answer ✔✔True
True or False: President and VP of the board are determined by the governor of CA? - correct answer
✔✔False- elected by board members
How long is a board members term? - correct answer ✔✔4 years- expires 1st day of June. No person can
serve more than two consecutive terms (8 years max)
What are the qualifications for PT/PTA licensure? - correct answer ✔✔1. >18 years old
2. Not addicted to any substances
3. Completed education and training
4. Not committed any crimes
What do the legislative numbers mean? - correct answer ✔✔<1000= business/profession code
1000-2000= CA code of regulations
>2000= specific to PT practice act
True or False: A graduate can work as PTLA under direct and immediate supervision of a licensed PT for
120 days pending results of first licensing exam he/she is eligible for? - correct answer ✔✔True
True or False: A licensed supervising PT must be on-site at ALL times and must have a documented
receipt of the letter authorizing the PTLA to practice as well as a record of the expiration date of that
status? - correct answer ✔✔True
True or False: Once a PTLA passes the NPTE, their status changes and they can identify as a physical
therapist? - correct answer ✔✔False- PTLA status will remain in effect until a license is issued and only
then can they identify as a physical therapist.
, What happens if a new grad does not take the exam during the first possible test cycle? - correct answer
✔✔The graduate can no longer practice as a PTLA
True or False: PTLAs can supervise a PTA or aide providing patient related tasks? - correct answer
✔✔False- they can not
True or False: The rules for PTLA and PTALAs are the same? - correct answer ✔✔True
1. 120 days of status
2. a licensed PT must be on site at all times and carry necessary documentation as well as expiration date
of status
3. status remains in effect after passing the exam until license is granted
4. if the exam is failed or they dont register for the soonest test they can no longer practice as a PTALA
How can someone become a PTA without going to PTA shcool? - correct answer ✔✔If the board finds
someone to have proper training/adequate experience equivalent to that received a PTA school and they
meet the requirements for licensure they may apply for licensure as a PTA
Who creates the licensing exam for PTs and PTAs? - correct answer ✔✔Federation of State Boards of
Physical Therapy (FSPT)
What does the PTBC stand for? - correct answer ✔✔Physical Therapy Board of California
What exams are required to obtain a CA PT/PTA license? - correct answer ✔✔1. State laws and
regulations
2. NPTE
How many times is an applicant allowed to sit for the NPTE per application per 12-month time period? -
correct answer ✔✔3
