North Carolina General Statutes 90-270.102. Unlawful practice
Except as otherwise authorized in this Article, if any person, firm, or corporation shall:
(1) Practice, attempt to practice, teach, consult, or supervise in physical therapy, or hold out any person as being able to do any of these things in this State, without first having obtained a license or authorization from the Board for the person performing services or being so held out;
Attorney's Note
Under the N.C. Gen. Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 misdemeanor | up to 120 days |
Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 90-270.102
- Board: means the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. See North Carolina General Statutes 90-270.90
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Physical therapist: means any person who practices physical therapy in accordance with the provisions of this Article. See North Carolina General Statutes 90-270.90
- Physical therapist assistant: means any person who assists in the practice of physical therapy in accordance with the provisions of this Article, and who works under the supervision of a physical therapist by performing such patient-related activities assigned by a physical therapist which are commensurate with the physical therapist assistant's education and training, but an assistant's work shall not include the interpretation and implementation of referrals from licensed medical doctors or dentists, the performance of evaluations, or the determination or major modification of treatment programs. See North Carolina General Statutes 90-270.90
- 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. See North Carolina General Statutes 90-270.90
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
(2) Use in connection with any person’s name any letters, words, numerical codes, or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, or applicant with “Graduate” status, unless the person is licensed or authorized in accordance with this Article;
(3) Practice or attempt to practice physical therapy with a revoked, lapsed, or suspended license;
(4) Practice physical therapy and fail to refer to a licensed medical doctor or dentist any patient whose medical condition should have, at the time of evaluation or treatment, been determined to be beyond the scope of practice of a physical therapist;
(5) Aid, abet, or assist any unlicensed person to practice physical therapy in violation of this Article; or
(6) Violate any of the provisions of this Article;
said person, firm, or corporation shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Each act of such unlawful practice shall constitute a distinct and separate offense. (1951, c. 1131, ss. 9, 11; 1969, c. 556; 1979, c. 487; 1985, c. 701, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 647; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2017-28, s. 1.)