# Title 61.5 — North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy

## Article 61.5-01 — General Administration

## Chapter 61.5-01-02 — Definitions

### § 61.5-01-02-01. Definitions.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, the following definitions are applicable throughout this title:
1. "A school of physical therapy or a program of physical therapist assistant training" is a
nationally accredited program approved by the board.
2. "Board" means the North Dakota board of physical therapy.
3. "Consultation by telehealth" means that a physical therapist renders professional or expert
opinion or advice to another physical therapist or professional health care provider via
electronic communications or computer technology from a distant location. The patient's
written or verbal consent will be obtained and documented prior to such consultation. All
records used or resulting from a consultation by means of telehealth are part of a patient's
record and are subject to applicable confidentiality requirements.
4. "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.
5. "Direct supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is physically present on the
premises and immediately available for direction and supervision, has direct contact with the
patient during each visit, and completes all components of care requiring skilled therapy
services. Telehealth does not meet the requirement for direct supervision.
6. "Examination" means a national examination approved by the board for the licensure of a
physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant.
7. "General supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is onsite and present where
services are provided or is immediately available to the physical therapist assistant being
supervised by means of electronic communications, maintains continual involvement in the
appropriate aspects of patient care, and has primary responsibility for all patient care services
rendered by a physical therapist assistant.
8. "Manual therapy" means the use of techniques such as mobilization or manipulation, manual
lymphatic drainage, and manual traction on one or more regions of the body.
9. "Onsite supervision" means the supervising physical therapist is onsite and present in the
department or facility where services are provided, is immediately available to the individual
being supervised, and maintains continued involvement in appropriate aspects of each
treatment session in which a student physical therapist or a student physical therapist
assistant are involved in components of care.
10. "Physical therapist" means an individual licensed under North Dakota Century Code chapter
43-26.1 or holding a North Dakota compact privilege in accordance with North Dakota Century
Code chapter 43-26.2 to practice physical therapy. The term "physiotherapist" is synonymous
with "physical therapist" for purposes of these rules.
11. "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual licensed under North Dakota Century Code
chapter 43-26.1 or holding a North Dakota compact privilege in accordance with North Dakota

Century Code chapter 43-26.2 who assists a physical therapist in selected components of
physical therapy intervention.
12. "Physical therapy" means the care and services by or under the direction of a physical
therapist.
13. "Physical therapy aide" means an individual trained under the direction of a physical therapist
who performs designated and supervised routine tasks related to physical therapy.
14. "Practice of physical therapy" means:
a. Examining, evaluating, and testing individuals with mechanical, physiological, and
developmental impairments, functional limitations in movement and mobility, and
disabilities or other health-related and movement-related conditions to determine a
diagnosis for physical therapy, prognosis, and plan of therapeutic intervention, and to
assess the ongoing effects of intervention.
b. Alleviating impairments, functional limitations in movement and mobility, and disabilities
by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions that may include
therapeutic exercise; neuromuscular education; functional training related to positioning,
movement, and mobility in self-care and in-home, community, or work integration or
reintegration; manual therapy; therapeutic massage; prescription, application and, as
appropriate, fabrication of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, prosthetic, protective, and
supportive devices and equipment related to positioning, movement, and mobility; airway
clearance techniques; integumentary protection and repair techniques; debridement and
wound care; physiotherapy; physical agents or modalities; mechanical and
electrotherapeutic modalities; and patient-related instruction.
c. Engaging as a physical therapist in reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional
limitation, and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and
wellness in populations of all ages.
d. Engaging as a physical therapist in administration, consultation, education, and research.
15. "Restricted license" for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant means a license on
which the board places restrictions or conditions, or both, as to scope of practice, place of
practice, supervision of practice, duration of licensed status, or type or condition of patient or
client to whom the licensee may provide services.
16. "Student" is an individual who is currently engaged in the fulfillment of a physical therapy or
physical therapist assistant educational program approved by the board.
17. "Supportive personnel" are physical therapist assistants and physical therapy aides working in
a physical therapy setting.
18. "Telehealth" is the use of electronic communications to provide and deliver health-related
information and health care services, including physical therapy-related information and
services, over any distance. Telehealth encompasses health care and health promotion
activities, including education, advice, reminders, interventions, and the monitoring of
interventions.
19. "Testing" means standard methods and techniques used to gather data about the patient.
History: Effective December 1, 1980; amended effective April 1, 1992; December 1, 1994; July 1,
2004; April 1, 2006; January 1, 2016; April 1, 2020.
General Authority: NDCC 43-26.1-03(5)
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-26.1-01, 43-26.1-04
