As used in this article 285, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. (1) Accredited physical therapy program means a program of instruction in physical therapy that is accredited as set forth in section 12-285-110 (1)(a)(I).

2. (2) Adverse action means disciplinary action taken by the board based upon misconduct, unacceptable performance, or a combination of both and includes any action taken pursuant to the following:

   1. (a) Section 12-285-122, except for any action taken pursuant to subsection (4) of that section;
   2. (b) Section 12-285-129;
   3. (c) Section 12-285-130;
   4. (d) Section 12-285-212, except for any action taken pursuant to subsection (4) of that section;
   5. (e) Section 12-285-218; and
   6. (f) Section 12-285-219.
3. (3) Board means the state physical therapy board created in section 12-285-105.
4. (4) Physical therapist means a person who is licensed to practice physical therapy. The term physiotherapist is synonymous with the term physical therapist.
5. (5) Physical therapist assistant means a person who is required to be certified under part 2 of this article 285 and who assists a physical therapist in selected components of physical therapy.

6. (6)

   1. (a)

      1. (I) Physical therapy means the examination, physical therapy diagnosis, treatment, or instruction of patients and clients to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, or limit physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, or pain from injury, disease, and other bodily conditions.

      2. (II) As used in this article 285, physical therapy includes:

         1. (A) The administration, evaluation, and interpretation of tests and measurements of bodily functions and structures;
         2. (B) The planning, administration, evaluation, and modification of treatment and instruction;
         3. (C) The use of physical agents, measures, activities, and devices for preventive and therapeutic purposes, subject to the requirements of section 12-285-116;
         4. (D) The administration of topical and aerosol medications consistent with the scope of physical therapy practice subject to the requirements of section 12-285-116;
         5. (E) The provision of consultative, educational, and other advisory services for the purpose of reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, and pain;
         6. (F) General wound care and wound debridement, including the assessment and management of skin lesions, surgical incisions, open wounds, and areas of potential skin breakdown in order to maintain or restore the integumentary system. Wound debridement includes sharp debridement and nonsharp debridement, such as mechanical, autolytic, enzymatic, and maggot.
         7. (G) The authorization to directly recommend and prescribe durable medical equipment to patients without requesting a prescription from a licensed physician; and
         8. (H) Ongoing review, integration, and understanding of a patient's or client's prescription and nonprescription medication regimen, with consideration of its impact on health, function, movement, and disability.

   2. (b) As used in subsection (6)(a)(II) of this section:

      1. (I) Physical agents includes, but is not limited to, heat, cold, water, air, sound, light, compression, electricity, and electromagnetic energy.

      2. (II)

         1. (A) Physical measures, activities, and devices includes resistive, active, and passive exercise, with or without devices; joint mobilization; mechanical stimulation; biofeedback; dry needling; postural drainage; traction; positioning; massage; splinting; training in locomotion; other functional activities, with or without assistive devices; and correction of posture, body mechanics, and gait.
         2. (B) Biofeedback, as used in this subsection (6)(b)(II), means the use of monitoring instruments by a physical therapist to detect and amplify internal physiological processes for the purpose of neuromuscular rehabilitation.
      3. (III) Tests and measurements means standard methods and techniques used to obtain data about the patient or client, including diagnostic imaging and electrodiagnostic and electrophysiological tests and measures.
7. (7) Physical therapy compact commission means the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the Interstate Physical Therapy Licensure Compact Act, and as enacted in this state in part 37 of article 60 of title 24.

Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1504, § 1, effective October 1. L. 2022: (3) amended, (SB 22-162), ch. 469, p. 3397, § 135, effective August 10. L. 2024: (4), IP(6)(a)(II), (6)(a)(II)(E), (6)(a)(II)(F), and (6)(b)(III) amended and (6)(a)(II)(G) and (6)(a)(II)(H) added, (HB 24-1327), ch. 421, pp. 2875, 2876, §§ 1, 5, effective August 7.

Editor's note: (1) This section is similar to former § 12-41-103 as it existed prior to 2019.

(2) Subsection (6)(a)(II)(F) was amended in section 1 of HB 24-1327. Those amendments were superseded by the amendment of subsection (6)(a)(II)(F) in section 5 of HB 24-1327.

Cross references: For the short title (the Debbie Haskins 'Administrative Organization Act of 1968' Modernization Act) in SB 22-162, see section 1 of chapter 469, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.