2026 Minnesota Statutes

148.706 PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS, AIDES, AND STUDENTS.

Subdivision 1.Supervision.

(a) Every physical therapist who uses the services of a physical therapist assistant or physical therapy aide for the purpose of assisting in the practice of physical therapy is responsible for functions performed by the assistant or aide while engaged in such assistance. The physical therapist shall direct duties to the physical therapist assistant and assign tasks to the physical therapy aide in accordance with subdivision 2.

(b) A licensed physical therapist may supervise no more than two physical therapist assistants at any time. A physical therapist supervising physical therapist assistants is not required to be on site, but must be easily available by telecommunications.

(c) Physical therapists who instruct student physical therapists and student physical therapist assistants are responsible for the functions performed by the students and shall supervise the students as provided under section 148.65, subdivisions 5 and 6. A physical therapist supervising a student physical therapist must have direct contact with the patient during at least every second treatment session by the student physical therapist. A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant as part of a physical therapist and physical therapist assistant team who is supervising a student physical therapist assistant must have direct contact with the patient during at least every second treatment session by the student physical therapist assistant.

Subd. 2.Direction of duties.

The physical therapist is authorized to direct patient treatment procedures only to a physical therapist assistant who has sufficient didactic and clinical preparation. The physical therapist may not direct the following activities to a physical therapist assistant or to other supportive personnel: initial patient examination and evaluation, development and modification of the plan of care, and initial or final documentation.

Subd. 3.Observation of and collaboration with physical therapist assistants.

When a physical therapist directs components of a patient's treatment to a physical therapist assistant, a physical therapist must do the following at least every six treatment sessions that the physical therapist assistant provides services:

(1) observe a portion of the patient treatment session with the physical therapist assistant, either in person or remotely via telehealth; and

(2) document a collaborative discussion with the physical therapist assistant and the continued appropriateness of the plan of care.

Subd. 4.Observation of physical therapy aides.

The physical therapist must observe the patient's status before and after the treatment administered by a physical therapy aide. The physical therapy aide may perform tasks related to preparation of patient and equipment for treatment, housekeeping, transportation, clerical duties, departmental maintenance, and selected treatment procedures. The tasks must be performed under the direct supervision of a physical therapist who is readily available for advice, instruction, or immediate assistance.

History:

1980 c 412 s 11; 1986 c 444; 2005 c 147 art 2 s 6; 2007 c 123 s 20; 2026 c 115 art 10 s 3-5