Necessity Of Licensure

(1) Prior to engaging in the practice of physical therapy in Tennessee, a person must hold a current Tennessee license. (2) It is unlawful for any person who is not licensed in the manner prescribed in Title 63, Chapter 13 of the Tennessee Code Annotated to represent themselves as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant or to hold themselves out to the public as being licensed by means of using a title on, including but not limited to, signs, mailboxes, address plates, stationery, announcements, advertising, the internet, telephone listings, calling cards, or other means of professional identification. (3) Physical therapy is one of the healing arts and as such the practice of which is restricted to those persons credentialed by the Board. Persons engaging in the practice of physical therapy without being credentialed or expressly exempted by the laws are in violation of T.C.A. § 63-1-123. (4) No other person shall hold themselves out to the public by a title or description of services incorporating the words “physical therapist” or “physical therapist assistant” nor shall state or imply that they are licensed as such unless that person is licensed or expressly exempted pursuant to T.C.A. §§ 63-13-301, et seq. (5) Licensee Use of Titles – Any person who possesses a valid, current and active license issued by the Board that has not been suspended or revoked has the right to use the title “Physical Therapist,” “Doctor of Physical Therapy,” or “Physical Therapist Assistant” as applicable, and to use the acronyms “P.T.,” “D.P.T.,” or “P.T.A.” as applicable, and to practice physical therapy, as defined in T.C.A. § 63-13-103 and T.C.A. § 63-13-310. Any person to whom this rule applies must use one of the titles authorized by this rule in every “advertisement” [as that term is defined in Rule 1150-01-.13(2)(a)] he or she publishes or the failure to do so will constitute an omission of a material fact which makes the advertisement misleading and deceptive and subjects the licensee to disciplinary action pursuant to T.C.A. § 63-13-312 (3) and (14).