Illinois Code § 2

§ 2.

Licensure requirement; exempt activities. No person shall after the date of August 31, 1965 begin to practice physical therapy in this State or hold himself out as being able to practice this profession, unless he is licensed as such in accordance with the provisions of this Act. After July 1, 1991 (the effective date of Public Act 86-1396), no person shall practice or hold himself out as a physical therapist assistant unless he is licensed as such under this Act. A physical therapist shall use the initials "PT" in connection with his or her name to denote licensure under this Act, and a physical therapist assistant shall use the initials "PTA" in connection with his or her name to denote licensure under this Act. This Act does not prohibit: (1) Any person licensed in this State under any other Act from engaging in the practice for which he is licensed. (2) The practice of physical therapy by those persons, practicing under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and who have met all of the qualifications as provided in Sections 7, 8.1, and 9 of this Act, until the next examination is given for physical therapists or physical therapist assistants and the results have been received by the Department and the Department has determined the applicant's eligibility for a license. Anyone failing to pass said examination shall not again practice physical therapy until such time as an examination has been successfully passed by such person. (3) The practice of physical therapy for a period not exceeding 6 months by a person who is in this State on a temporary basis to assist in a case of medical emergency or to engage in a special physical therapy project, and who meets the qualifications for a physical therapist as set forth in Sections 7 and 8 of this Act and is licensed in another state as a physical therapist. (4) Practice of physical therapy by qualified persons who have filed for endorsement for no longer than one year or until such time that notification of licensure has been granted or denied, whichever period of time is lesser. (5) One or more licensed physical therapists from forming a professional service corporation under the provisions of the Professional Service Corporation Act and licensing such corporation for the practice of physical therapy. (6) Physical therapy aides from performing patient care activities under the on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant. These patient care activities shall not include interpretation of referrals, evaluation procedures, the planning of or major modifications of, patient programs. (7) Physical therapist assistants from performing patient care activities under the general supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist must maintain continual contact with the physical therapist assistant including periodic personal supervision and instruction to insure the safety and welfare of the patient. (8) The practice of physical therapy by a physical therapy student or a physical therapist assistant student under the on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist shall be readily available for direct supervision and instruction to insure the safety and welfare of the patient. (9) The practice of physical therapy as part of an educational program by a physical therapist licensed in another state or country for a period not to exceed 6 months. (10) (Blank). (Source: P.A. 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 104-154) (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2031) Sec. 2. Licensure requirement; exempt activities. No person shall after the date of August 31, 1965 begin to practice physical therapy in this State or hold oneself out as being able to practice this profession, unless the person is licensed as such in accordance with the provisions of this Act. After July 1, 1991 (the effective date of Public Act 86-1396), no person shall practice or hold oneself out as a physical therapist assistant unless the person is licensed as such under this Act. A physical therapist shall use the initials "PT" in connection with the physical therapist's name to denote licensure under this Act, and a physical therapist assistant shall use the initials "PTA" in connection with the physical therapist assistant's name to denote licensure under this Act. This Act does not prohibit: (1) Any person licensed in this State under any other Act from engaging in the practice for which the person is licensed. (2) The practice of physical therapy by those persons, practicing under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and who have met all of the qualifications as provided in Sections 7, 8.1, and 9 of this Act, until the next examination is given for physical therapists or physical therapist assistants and the results have been received by the Department and the Department has determined the applicant's eligibility for a license. Anyone failing to pass said examination shall not again practice physical therapy until such time as an examination has been successfully passed by such person. (3) The practice of physical therapy for a period not exceeding 6 months by a person who is in this State on a temporary basis to assist in a case of medical emergency or to engage in a special physical therapy project, and who meets the qualifications for a physical therapist as set forth in Sections 7 and 8 of this Act and is licensed in another state as a physical therapist. (4) Practice of physical therapy by qualified persons who have filed for endorsement for no longer than one year or until such time that notification of licensure has been granted or denied, whichever period of time is lesser. (5) One or more licensed physical therapists from forming a professional service corporation under the provisions of the Professional Service Corporation Act and licensing such corporation for the practice of physical therapy. (6) Physical therapy aides from performing patient care activities under the on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant. These patient care activities shall not include interpretation of referrals, evaluation procedures, the planning of or major modifications of, patient programs. (7) Physical therapist assistants from performing patient care activities under the general supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist must maintain continual contact with the physical therapist assistant including periodic personal supervision and instruction to ensure the safety and welfare of the patient. (8) The practice of physical therapy by a physical therapy student or a physical therapist assistant student under the on-site supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The physical therapist shall be readily available for direct supervision and instruction to ensure the safety and welfare of the patient. (9) The practice of physical therapy as part of an educational program by a physical therapist licensed in another state or country for a period not to exceed 6 months. (10) (Blank). (Source: P.A. 104-154, eff. 1-1-26; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)