As used in this chapter:

“Board” means the board of physical therapy.

“Competence” is the application of knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to function effectively, safely, ethically, and legally within the context of the individual’s role and environment.

“Continuing competence” is the lifelong process of maintaining and documenting competence through ongoing self-assessment, development, and implementation of a personal learning plan, and subsequent reassessment.

“Educational institution” means public schools as defined under chapter 302A, privately operated schools of lower education, and colleges, the University of Hawaii, and other universities.

“Foreign-trained person” means a person who has completed an educational program or course of study in physical therapy in an institution located outside the United States.

“Physical therapist” means a person who is licensed to practice physical therapy in this State.

“Physical therapist assistant” means a person who is licensed as a physical therapist assistant in the State and assists the physical therapist in selected components of treatment or intervention.

“Physical therapy” or “physical therapy services” means the examination, treatment, and instruction of human beings to detect, assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, bodily malfunction, pain from injury, disease, and any other physical or mental condition as performed by a physical therapist appropriately licensed under this chapter. It includes but is not limited to:

(1) Administration, evaluation, modification of treatment, and instruction involving the use of physical measures, activities, and devices, for preventive and therapeutic purposes; provided that should the care or treatment given by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant contravene treatment diagnosed or prescribed by a medical doctor, osteopath, or as determined by the board, the physical therapist shall confer with the professional regarding the manner or course of treatment in conflict and take appropriate action in the best interest of the patient; and

(2) The provision of consultative, educational, and other advisory services for the purpose of reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, bodily malfunction, or pain.

“Practice of physical therapy” includes, but is not limited to, the use of the following:

(1) Physical agents, such as heat, cold, water, air, sound, compression, light, electricity, and electromagnetic radiation;

(2) Exercise with or without devices, joint mobilization, mechanical stimulation; biofeedback; postural drainage; traction; positioning, massage, splinting, training in locomotion, and other functional activities with or without assisting devices; and correction of posture, body mechanics, and gait;

(3) Tests and measurements of: muscle strength, force, endurance, and tone; joint motion, mobility, and stability; reflexes and automatic reaction; movement skill and accuracy; sensation and perception; peripheral nerve integrity; locomotor skill, stability, and endurance; activities of daily living; cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular functions; the fit, function, and comfort of prosthetic, orthotic, and other assisting devices; posture and body mechanics; limb strength, circumference, and volume; thoracic excursion and breathing patterns; vital signs; nature and locus of pain and conditions under which pain varies; photosensitivity; and the home and work physical environments.

“Unit” is a relative value assigned to continuing competence activities in which one continuing competence unit is equivalent to at least fifty minutes of classroom or hands-on instruction.