(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for a person to:

1. (1) practice physical therapy;
2. (2) profess to be a physical therapist, physiotherapist, or physical therapy technician or to use the initials "P.T.", "P.T.T.", or "R.P.T.", or any other letters, words, abbreviations, or insignia indicating that the person is a physical therapist; or

3. (3) practice or assume the duties incident to physical therapy;

   without first obtaining from the board a license authorizing the person to practice physical therapy in this state.

(b) Except as provided in section 2.5 of this chapter, it is unlawful for a person to practice physical therapy other than upon the order or referral of a physician, podiatrist, psychologist, chiropractor, dentist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant holding an unlimited license to practice medicine, podiatric medicine, psychology, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, or as a physician assistant, respectively. It is unlawful for a physical therapist to use the services of a physical therapist's assistant except as provided under this chapter. For the purposes of this subsection, the function of:

1. (1) teaching;
2. (2) doing research;
3. (3) providing advisory services; or

4. (4) conducting seminars on physical therapy;

   is not considered to be a practice of physical therapy.

(d) Except as provided in section 2.5 of this chapter, this chapter does not authorize a person who is licensed as a physical therapist or certified as a physical therapist's assistant to:

1. (1) evaluate any physical disability or mental disorder except upon the order or referral of a physician, podiatrist, psychologist, chiropractor, or dentist;
2. (2) practice medicine, surgery (as described in IC 25-22.5-1-1.1 (a)(1)(C)), dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, psychology, chiropractic, or podiatric medicine; or

3. (3) prescribe a drug or other remedial substance used in medicine.

   Formerly: Acts 1957, c.198, s.2; Acts 1971, P.L.379, SEC.2. As amended by P.L.137-1985, SEC.8; P.L.157-1986, SEC.2; P.L.259-1987, SEC.2; P.L.240-1989, SEC.2; P.L.217-1993, SEC.4; P.L.98-2013, SEC.2.