Existing law, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of physical therapists by the Physical Therapy Board of California, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs, and defines physical therapy as the art and science of physical or corrective rehabilitation or of physical or corrective treatment of any bodily or mental condition of any person by the use of the physical, chemical, and other properties of heat, light, water, electricity, sound, massage, and active, passive, and resistive exercise.

Existing law, the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of veterinarians and the practice of veterinary medicine by the Veterinary Medical Board, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs. That act makes it unlawful for any person to practice veterinary medicine in this state without a license and provides that the practice of veterinary medicine includes, among other things, the treatment of whatever nature for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease of an animal.

This bill would authorize a licensed physical therapist with a certificate in animal physical rehabilitation to provide animal physical rehabilitation to an animal if certain requirements are met, including that the animal physical rehabilitation is performed on a veterinary premise registered with the Veterinary Medical Board, in an animal physical rehabilitation facility registered with the Veterinary Medical Board, or in a mobile or range setting. in certain settings and under the supervision of a supervising veterinarian. The bill would authorize unlicensed assistants to perform an animal physical rehabilitation assistant to assist with delegated animal physical rehabilitation tasks under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist with a certificate in animal physical rehabilitation. The bill would define an “animal physical rehabilitation facility” and would require an animal physical rehabilitation facility to register with the Veterinary Medical Board and pay specified registration fees. if certain conditions are met. The bill would require the Veterinary Medical Board to create an application form and determine the application process for the certificate. The bill would require the Veterinary Medical Board and the Physical Therapy Board of California, in cooperation, to determine the qualifications necessary for a physical therapist to receive a certificate issued by the Veterinary Medical Board, as provided, and would authorize the Veterinary Medical Board to charge a fee for issuance and renewal of a certificate. The bill would provide that a physical therapist with a certificate in animal physical rehabilitation or an animal physical rehabilitation assistant is solely liable for any delegated animal physical rehabilitation tasks provided under the certificate. a direct order. The bill would authorize the Veterinary Medical Board to discipline a physical therapist with a certificate in animal physical rehabilitation. The bill would also define various terms for these purposes