Physical Therapy in Florida
You can see a physical therapist for evaluation and treatment without a physician's referral.*
Florida is one of 28 states that allow direct patient access to PT with some provisions.
- If the patient's condition falls outside of the PT scope of practice, the PT must refer the patient to, or consult with, a qualified healthcare practitioner.
- If the PT care plan exceeds 30 days and the condition has not been assessed by a physician of record, then the PT must have a practitioner of record review and sign the plan. However, this does not apply if (1) the patient has been examined by a physician in a different state and diagnosed by the physician as having a condition for which PT is required, and (2) the PT is treating that specific condition.
- PTs may not implement a treatment plan for patients in an acute care setting such as a hospital, ambulatory surgical center, or mobile surgical facility.
*While the state practice law allows for direct access, a referral may still be required pursuant to corporate policies, personal insurance policies and/or other state practice setting laws. Also, some states have time limits on treatment without a referral.
