Physical Therapy, Board of

Physical Therapy, Board of

Chapter 1: General Provisions

Effective Date: 05/12/2015 to 04/16/2018

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 062.0001.1.05122015

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Statement of purpose. The Wyoming State Board of Physical Therapy Rules and Regulations are set forth and promulgated for the purpose of interpreting and implementing W. S. 33-25-101 through 33-25-116 et seq.

Section 2. Severability. If any provisions of these rules or the application thereof to any license or certificate holder or circumstance is determined to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or application of these rules which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of these rules are declared to be severable.

Section 3. Terms defined by Statute. Terms defined in W. S. 33-25-101 through 33-25-116 shall have the same meaning when used in these rules unless the context or subject matter clearly requires a different interpretation.

Section 4. Definitions. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the following definitions are applicable throughout this title:

(a) 'Approved program' means a school of physical therapy or a program of physical therapist assistant training which is CAPTE accredited and approved by the Board.

(b) 'Board' means the Wyoming State Board of Physical Therapy.

(c) 'CAPTE' means Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

(d) 'Consultation by means of telecommunications' means that a physical therapist renders professional or expert opinion or advice to another physical therapist or health care provider via telecommunications or computer technology from a distant location. It includes the transfer of data or exchange of educational or related information by means of audio, video, or data communications. The physical therapist may use telehealth technology as a vehicle for providing only services that are legally or professionally authorized. The patient's written or verbal consent will be obtained and documented prior to such consultation. All records used or resulting from a consultation by means of telecommunications are part of a patient's record and are subject to applicable confidentiality requirements.

(e) 'Direct supervision' means the physical therapist/physical therapist assistant is physically present on the premises and immediately available for direction and supervision.

(f) 'Dry needling' is a manual therapy technique that uses a filiform needle as mechanical device to treat conditions within the scope of physical therapy practice. It is based upon Western medical concepts, requires a physical therapy examination and physical therapy diagnosis, and treats specific anatomic entities. Dry needling does not include the stimulation of auricular or acupuncture meridians.

(g) “Examination” means a national examination approved by the Board for the license of a physical therapist or certificate of a physical therapist assistant.

(h) “NPTE” means the National Physical Therapy Examination.

(i) “Restricted” for a physical therapist assistant means a license or certificate on which the Board places restrictions or conditions, or both, as to scope of practice, place of practice, supervision of practice, duration of licensed status, or type or condition of patient or client whom the license may provide services.

(j) “Student” is an individual who is currently engaged in the fulfillment of a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant educational program approved by the Board.

(k) “Supportive personnel” are persons other than licensed physical therapists who function in a physical therapy setting and assist with physical therapy care.

(l) “Testing” means standard methods and techniques used to gather data about the patient.

Section 5. Incorporation by Reference.

(a) For any code, standard, rule, regulation or statute incorporated by reference in these rules:

(i) The Board has determined that incorporation of the full text in these rules would be cumbersome or inefficient given the length or nature of the rules;

(ii) The incorporation by reference does not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter beyond the applicable date identified in subsection (b) of this section;

(iii) The incorporated code, standard, rule, regulation or statute is maintained at 2001 Capitol Avenue, Room 104, Cheyenne, WY 82002 and is available for public inspection and copying at cost at the same location;

(b) Each code, standard, rule, regulation or statute incorporated by reference in these Board Rules is further identified as follows:

(i) The rule incorporated by reference in Chapter 8, Section 18 of these Board Rules is Office of Administrative Hearing Rules as existing on October 17, 2014. Copies of these rules can be obtained from the Wyoming Secretary of State Office at the following location http://soswy.state.wy.us/Rules/default.aspx.