State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Law LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
Revised 6/28/2022 Page 3
physical agents, mechanical modalities, hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercises with or without
assistive devices, neurodevelopmental procedures, joint mobilization, movement-related
functional training in self-care, providing assistance in community and work integration or
reintegration, providing training in techniques for the prevention of injury, impairment,
movement-related functional limitation, or dysfunction, providing consultative, educational, other
advisory services, and collaboration with other health care providers in connection with patient
care, and such other treatments and functions as may be further defined by the board by regulation.
"Physical therapy" and "physical therapy practice" also include the screening, examination,
evaluation, and application of interventions for the promotion, improvement, and maintenance of
fitness, health, wellness, and prevention services in populations of all ages exclusively related to
physical therapy practice.
"Wound debridement and care" means the removal of loosely adhered necrotic and nonviable
tissue, by a physical therapist, to promote healing, done in conjunction with a physician or podiatric
physician.
L.1983, c.296, s.3; amended 2003, c.18, s.1; 2017, c.121, s.1; 2021, c.382, s.1.
45:9-37.14 Practice not to authorize other practices
a. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2003, c.18).
b. Nothing in P.L.1983, c.296 (C.45:9-37.11 et seq.), shall be construed to authorize the
interpretation of data for the purpose of diagnosing disease, organic condition or the practice
of medicine and surgery, chiropractic, podiatry, occupational therapy, or prosthetics by any
person not licensed to do so pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.
c. Nothing in P.L.1983, c.296 (C.45:9-37.11 et seq.), shall authorize the practice of dentistry
by any person not licensed to do so pursuant to chapter 6 of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.
L.1983,c.296,s.4; amended 2003, c.18, s.2.
45:9-37.15 State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
There is created within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public
Safety the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. The board shall consist of 11 members
who are residents of the State, two of whom shall be public members and one of whom shall be a
State executive department member appointed pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1971, c.60
(C.45:1-2.1 et seq.). Of the remaining eight members six shall be licensed physical therapists who
have been actively engaged in the practice of physical therapy in this State for at least five years
immediately preceding their appointment, one shall be a licensed physical therapist assistant who
has been actively engaged in practice as a physical therapist assistant for at least five years
immediately preceding his appointment, and one shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine
and surgery pursuant to chapter 9 of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.
The Governor shall appoint members to the board with the advice and consent of the Senate.
The Governor shall appoint each member for a term of three years, except that of the physical
therapist members first appointed, two shall serve for terms of three years, two shall serve for
terms of two years and two shall serve for a term of one year. Each member shall hold office until
the member's successor has been qualified. Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be