As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed:
Act - the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99, D.C. Official Code §§ 3-1201et seq. (2016 Repl.)).
Applicant - a person applying for a license to practice physical therapy under this chapter.
Board - the Board of Physical Therapy, established by § 209 of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 2-1202.09).
Continuing education unit- a unit of measurement representing ten (10) hours of continuing education credit.
Direct supervision - the supervision in which a physical therapist is personally present and immediately available within the treatment area to give aid, direction, and instruction when physical therapy procedures or activities are performed.
Director - The Director of the Department of Health, or the Director's designee.
Intramuscular manual therapy - a technique used to treat myofascial pain that uses a dry needle, without medication, that is inserted into a trigger point with the goal of releasing or inactivating the trigger points and relieving pain.
LGBTQ continuing education - continuing education focusing on patients or clients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender nonconforming, queer, or question their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression ("LGBTQ") meeting the requirements of § 510(b)(5) of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 3-1205.10(b)(5) (2016 Repl.)).
Physical therapist - a person licensed to practice physical therapy under the Act.
Physical therapy aide - a person trained by a physical therapist to perform designated routine tasks related to the operation of a physical therapy service under the direct supervision of a physical therapist.
Physical therapy assistant - a physical therapy assistant who is a person licensed to practice under the Act.
Practice of physical therapy - the independent evaluation of human disability, injury, or disease by means of noninvasive tests of neuromuscular functions and other standard procedures of physical therapy, and the treatment of human disability, injury, or disease by therapeutic procedures, rendered on the prescription of or referral by a licensed physician, osteopath, dentist, or podiatrist, or by a licensed registered nurse certified to practice as an advanced registered nurse as authorized pursuant to § 601 of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 3-1206.01 ), embracing the specific scientific application of physical measures to secure the functional rehabilitation of the human body. These measures include the use of therapeutic exercise, therapeutic massage, heat or cold, air, light, water, electricity, or sound for the purpose of correcting or alleviating any physical or mental disability, or preventing the development of any physical or mental disability, or the performance of noninvasive tests of neuromuscular functions as an aid to the detection or treatment of any human condition.
Restricted license - a license upon which the board has placed any restrictions.
Valid, active license - a license to practice physical therapy in any jurisdiction that is currently valid and has been valid during the relevant period.
The definitions in § 4099 of chapter 40 of this title are incorporated by reference into and are applicable to this chapter.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 17, r. 17-6799