North Dakota Administrative Code Title 61.5 - North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy
**North Dakota Administrative Code
Title 61.5 – North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy**
Overview
Title 61.5 of the North Dakota Administrative Code governs the regulation of the practice of physical therapy in the state of North Dakota. It is administered by the North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy, which is responsible for protecting public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are properly licensed, competent, and ethical.
1. Purpose and Authority
The primary objectives of Title 61.5 are:
To regulate the practice of physical therapy
To establish licensing standards
To define professional conduct
To provide disciplinary mechanisms
To ensure continuing professional competence
The Board derives its authority from state law and exercises rule-making, licensing, and enforcement powers.
2. Licensing Requirements
A. Physical Therapist (PT)
To qualify for licensure as a physical therapist, an applicant must:
Graduate from an accredited physical therapy program
Successfully pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
Submit a completed application with required fees
Meet standards of moral character and professional fitness
Comply with state jurisprudence or ethics requirements, if applicable
B. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Requirements include:
Graduation from an accredited PTA program
Successful completion of the PTA national examination
Board approval before engaging in practice
Practice only under appropriate supervision of a licensed PT
3. Scope of Practice
Title 61.5 defines and regulates the scope of physical therapy practice, which includes:
Examination and evaluation of patients
Development and implementation of treatment plans
Therapeutic exercise and physical modalities
Patient education and prevention strategies
Documentation of patient progress
Restrictions
PTAs may not independently evaluate patients or alter treatment plans.
Licensees must practice within their level of education and competence.
4. Standards of Professional Conduct
The Code sets ethical and professional standards, including:
Practicing with reasonable skill and safety
Maintaining professional boundaries
Providing services only when clinically appropriate
Obtaining informed consent
Maintaining confidentiality of patient information
Accurate and timely recordkeeping
Unprofessional Conduct Includes:
Fraud or misrepresentation
Practicing without a valid license
Substance abuse affecting practice
Sexual misconduct with patients
Gross negligence or repeated incompetence
5. Continuing Competence and License Renewal
Licensees must:
Renew their license periodically as required by the Board
Complete continuing education hours to maintain competence
Maintain documentation of continuing education for audit purposes
Failure to comply may result in non-renewal, suspension, or disciplinary action.
6. Supervision Requirements
Title 61.5 establishes rules for:
Supervision of PTAs
Delegation of tasks
Responsibility of supervising physical therapists
Appropriate ratios of PTs to PTAs
The supervising PT retains ultimate responsibility for patient care.
7. Disciplinary Procedures
The Board may investigate complaints alleging violations of law or rules.
Disciplinary Powers Include:
Issuing reprimands
Imposing fines
Suspending licenses
Revoking licenses
Placing licensees on probation
Ordering remedial education
Licensees are entitled to notice and a hearing before final disciplinary action.
8. Board Administration and Governance
Title 61.5 also covers:
Board composition and terms
Meetings and quorum requirements
Rule-making procedures
Recordkeeping and reporting
Complaint handling processes
9. Practical Examples
A PT practices after license expiration → subject to discipline
A PTA independently modifies a treatment plan → violation of scope
Falsified patient records → grounds for license revocation
Failure to complete continuing education → license non-renewal
Summary
NDAC Title 61.5 provides a comprehensive regulatory framework that:
Ensures only qualified individuals practice physical therapy
Defines lawful scope and ethical standards
Protects patients from unsafe or unethical care
Empowers the Board to enforce compliance and discipline misconduct
Promotes ongoing professional competence
It balances public protection with professional accountability.
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