How physical therapist assistants are supervised
APTA’s position is that the PTA “shall provide services under the direction and at least general supervision of the physical therapist,” and that the physical therapist “is directly responsible for the actions of the physical therapist assistant in all practice settings.” This is an APTA House of Delegates position, not state law. State rules vary.
Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
APTA’s position
APTA’s Direction and Supervision of the Physical Therapist Assistant position (HOD P08-22-09-11, PDF), checked November 10, 2026, states:
Physical therapist services are always provided directly by the physical therapist and with responsible utilization, direction, and supervision of the physical therapist assistant when appropriate. The physical therapist assistant is the only individual who assists a physical therapist in the provision of physical therapist services and is licensed or certified in the jurisdiction in which they work.
It lists actions that “must be conducted, and responsibilities must be borne solely by the physical therapist,” including:
- Interpretation of referrals when available.
- Initial examination and reexamination.
- Evaluation, diagnosis, and prognosis.
- Revision of the management plan and plan of care when indicated.
- Conclusion of an episode of care.
- Oversight of all documentation for services rendered to each patient or client.
General supervision and offsite settings
The position states: “The physical therapist is directly responsible for the actions of the physical therapist assistant in all practice settings. The physical therapist assistant shall provide services under the direction and at least general supervision of the physical therapist. In general supervision, the physical therapist is not required to be on site for direction and supervision but must be available at least by telecommunication.”
For offsite settings, it states: “A physical therapist must be accessible by telecommunication to the physical therapist assistant at all times while the physical therapist assistant is providing services to patients and clients.” It also says a supervisory visit by the physical therapist “Shall be made at least once a month, or at a higher frequency when established by the physical therapist, in accordance with the needs of the patient or client.”
Among the factors the physical therapist considers, the position lists: “Federal and state statutes, and rules or regulations.” The PDF shows “Last Updated: 10/26/2022”.
What BLS says
BLS’s physical therapist assistants and aides page states: “Physical therapist assistants, sometimes called PTAs, and physical therapist aides work under the direction and supervision of physical therapists.” Aides are a separate job; BLS states: “The tasks that physical therapist aides are allowed to do vary by state.”
For the rules where you work, check the PT board through FSBPT’s licensing authorities list in the directory.