GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2019
SESSION LAW 2019-43
HOUSE BILL 548
AN ACT UPDATING THE DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL THERAPY TO EXCLUDE THE PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC AND TO INCLUDE MANIPULATION OF THE SPINE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION FROM A PHYSICIAN LICENSED TO PRACTICE MEDICINE IN THIS STATE.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 90‑270.90(4) reads as rewritten:
"(4) "Physical
therapy" means the evaluation or treatment of any person by the use of
physical, chemical, or other properties of heat, light, water, electricity,
sound, massage, or therapeutic exercise, or other rehabilitative procedures,
with or without assistive devices, for the purposes of preventing, correcting,
or alleviating a physical or mental disability. Physical therapy includes the
performance of specialized tests of neuromuscular function, administration of
specialized therapeutic procedures, interpretation and implementation of
referrals from licensed medical doctors or dentists, and establishment and
modification of physical therapy programs for patients. Evaluation and treatment
of patients may involve physical measures, methods, or procedures as are found
commensurate with physical therapy education and training and generally or
specifically authorized by regulations of the Board. Physical therapy education
and training shall include study of the skeletal manifestations of systemic
disease. Physical therapy does not include the application of roentgen rays or
radioactive materials, surgery, manipulation of the spine unless prescribed
by a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, the
practice of chiropractic, as defined by G.S. 90‑143, or medical
diagnosis of disease."
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2019.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 17th day of June, 2019.
s/ Philip E. Berger
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
s/ Tim Moore
Speaker of the House of Representatives
s/ Roy Cooper
Governor
Approved 2:37 p.m. this 21st day of June, 2019