Connecticut

United States Physical Therapy Practice Acts

Original Editor - Allison Lesousky

Top Contributors - Allison Lesousky, Admin, WikiSysop, Elaine Lonnemann and Kim Jackson  



Temporary License Requirements/Availability[1] [edit | edit source]

Any person who is a graduate of an approved physical therapy (PT) or physical therapy assistant (PTA) school and who has filed an application with the department may practice as a PT under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed PT in this state for a period no longer than 120 calendar days after the date of application. 

  • If the person practicing PT, fails to pass the licensure examination, all privileges under this subdivision shall automatically cease.

Requirements for License[1] [edit | edit source]

Sec. 20-70, Qualifications for examination for licensure are as follows:

“(a)(1) Any person who is a graduate of a school of physical therapy approved by the Board of Examiners for Physical Therapists, with the consent of the Commissioner of Public Health, or has successfully completed requirements for graduation from such school, shall be eligible for examination for licensure as a physical therapist upon the payment of a fee of two hundred eighty-five dollars.  The Department of Public Health, with the consent of the board, shall determine the subject matter of such examination, which shall be designed to show proficiency in physical therapy and related subjects, and shall determine whether such examination shall be written, oral or practical, or a combination thereof.  Passing scores shall be established by the department with the consent of the board.  Warning of such examination shall be given by the department not less than two weeks in advance of the date set for the examination.  If the applicant passes such examination, the department shall issue to such applicant a license to practice physical therapy.


(2) Any person who is a graduate of a physical therapy or physical therapy assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy shall be eligible for examination for licensure as physical therapist assistant upon the payment of a fee of one hundred ninety dollars.  The department, with the consent of the board, shall determine the subject matter of such examination, which shall be designed to show proficiency in physical therapy and related subjects, and shall determine whether such examination shall be written, oral or practical, or a combination thereof.  Passing scores shall be established by the department with the consent of the board.  Warning of such examination shall be given by the department not less than two weeks in advance of the date set for the examination.  If the applicant passes such examination, the department shall issue to such applicant a physical therapy assistant license.  Any applicant for examination for licensure as a physical therapy assistant whose application is based on a diploma issued to such applicant by a foreign physical therapy school shall furnish documentary evidence, satisfactory to the department, that the requirements for graduation are similar to or higher than those required of graduates of approved United States schools of physical therapy.

(b)(1) Any person who is a graduate of an approved United States physical therapy school and who has filed an application with the department may practice as a physical therapist under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed physical therapist in this state for a period not to exceed one hundred twenty calendar days after the date of application.  If the person practicing pursuant to this subdivision fails to pass the licensure examination, all privileges under this subdivision shall automatically cease.


(2) Any person who is a graduate of an approved United States physical therapist assistant school or an approved physical therapy school and who has filed an application with the department may practice as a physical assistant under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed physical therapist in this state for a period not to exceed one hundred twenty calendar days after the date of application.  If the person practicing pursuant to this subdivision fails to pass the licensure examination, all privileges under this subdivision shall automatically cease.

(c) Any applicant under this section who fails to pass the examination prescribed by the department with the consent of the board may take a subsequent examination on payment of an additional application fee."

Supervision[1] [edit | edit source]

Sec. 20-73, “supervision” means the overseeing of or the participation in the work of a PTA by a licensed PT, including but not limited to:

  • Continuous availability of direct communication between the PTA and PT
  • Availability of a licensed PT on a regularly scheduled basis to
    (a) Review the practice of the PTA
    (b) Support the PTA in emergency situations, including the designation of an alternate licensed PT in the absence of the regular licensed PT

Physical Therapy Students[edit | edit source]

Continued Competence[1][2] [edit | edit source]

Sec. 20-73b, Each licensed PT shall complete a minimum of 20 hours continuing education during each registration period.

  • Registration period: 12-month period for which a license has been renewed in accordance with section 19a-88 and is current and valid.
  • The continuing education shall be in areas related to the individual’s practice.
  • Each PT shall maintain written documentation of completion for a minimum of three years following license renewal date.


The continuing education requirements shall be waived for PT’s applying for licensure renewal for the first time, or for those who have medical disability or illness.

Does the Act appear restrictive? Why/Why not? [edit | edit source]

This Act appears to have both restrictive and liberal sections because in subsequent sections uses such language as "not limited to" and then also "prohibited".

Is there anything unusual about this act?[1] [edit | edit source]

There is prohibited use of chiropractic terms.  No PT or PTA licensed under the state of Connecticut may use the terms “chiropractic adjustment” or “chiropractic manipulations” to indicate or imply the application of these techniques as part of the practice of PT.

References[edit | edit source]

References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 376: Physical Therapists. http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/practitioner_licensing_and_investigations/plis/physicaltherapist/pt_stats.pdf (accessed 19 April 2012).
  2. State of Connecticut: Department of Public Health. Continuing Education. http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3121&q=389464 (accessed 19 April 2012).

Disclaimer:   Informational Content is assimilated from the state practice act is a resource only and should not be considered a  substitute for the content within the state practice act.  All state practice acts can change and it is recommended that you refer to the original resource in the link above.