What's happening
This bill allows only licensed physical therapists with a doctorate to use the titles "Doctor of Physical Therapy" or "D.P.T."
Why it matters
Prevents confusion for patients. by ensuring that only those who have completed a doctorate-level education in physical therapy can use the “Doctor of Physical Therapy” or “D.P.T.” titles—reducing the risk that patients might mistakenly assume all physical therapists (or those with similar-sounding credentials) have this advanced training.
Raises professional standards. by encouraging physical therapists to attain a doctoral degree if they wish to use these specific titles, which could help elevate the perceived expertise and status of the profession.
Clarifies legal and professional boundaries. by making it clear who can—and cannot—advertise themselves as a “Doctor of Physical Therapy,” minimizing potential misrepresentation to the public and other healthcare professionals.
May impact career and marketing opportunities. for physical therapists without a doctorate, as they would be prohibited from using these titles, potentially affecting how they present themselves to employers and clients.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Physical Therapy Titles
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Signed chap.354
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- 3rd reading cal.1945
- Substituted for S2553
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.236
- Rules report cal.236
- Reported
Show 2 earlier actions
- Reported referred to rules
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Limit D.P.T. Title Use
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7467
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 26, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to the practice of physical therapy
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 6732 of the education law, as added by chapter 618 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as follows:
§ 6732. Practice of physical therapy and the use of title "physical therapist". Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized under this article shall practice physical therapy or use the title "physical therapist", "physiotherapist" or "mechanotherapist" or the abbreviation of "P.T." in connection with his or her name or with any trade name in the conduct of his profession. Only a person licensed or otherwise authorized under this article to practice physical therapy, and who has obtained a doctorate in physical therapy may use the title "doctor of physical therapy" or abbreviation "D.P.T." in connection with his or her name or with any trade name to indicate or imply that the person is licensed or otherwise authorized to practice physical therapy.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08031-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.