Section 453.301 - Practice By Physical Therapist(a) A physical therapist may treat a patient for an injury or condition in a manner described by Section 453.005 without a referral if the physical therapist: (1) has been licensed to practice physical therapy for at least one year;(2) is covered by professional liability insurance in the minimum amount required by board rule; and(3) either: (A) possesses a doctoral degree in physical therapy from:(i) a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education; or(ii) an institution that is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the United States secretary of education; or(B) has completed at least 30 hours of continuing competence activities in the area of differential diagnosis.(a-1) Except as provided by Subsection (a-2), a physical therapist may treat a patient under Subsection (a) for not more than 10 consecutive business days.(a-2) A physical therapist may treat a patient under Subsection (a) for not more than 15 consecutive business days if the physical therapist: (1) possesses a doctoral degree described by Subsection (a)(3)(A); and(2) either:(A) has completed a residency or fellowship; or(B) is certified by an entity approved by the board.(b) The physical therapist must obtain a referral from a referring practitioner before the physical therapist may continue treatment that exceeds treatment authorized under Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable.(c) A physical therapist who treats a patient without a referral shall obtain from the patient a signed disclosure on a form prescribed by the board in which the patient acknowledges that:(1) physical therapy is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis by a physician;(2) physical therapy is not based on radiological imaging;(3) a physical therapist cannot diagnose an illness or disease; and(4) the patient's health insurance may not include coverage for the physical therapist's services.Amended by Acts 2021, Texas Acts of the 87th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 140,Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2021.Amended by Acts 2019, Texas Acts of the 86th Leg.- Regular Session, ch. 1021,Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2019. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1999. See Acts 2019, Texas Acts of the 86th Leg.- Regular Session, ch. 1021, Sec. 4.