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Laws & regulations

The rules for physical therapy clinics.

PT clinics answer to their state practice act, to Medicare if they see Medicare patients, and to every payer's contract, on top of federal privacy and advertising rules.

5 specific rules · plus 12 for every clinic · Last reviewed 10 November 2026

How we build for physical therapy clinics
01State lawState PT boards

State practice acts and direct access

Read the source (opens in a new tab): APTA, Direct access advocacy

What it says

Every state allows patients some direct access to physical therapy without a referral, but many add limits, such as a time or visit cap before a referral is needed.

Your website
A plain answer, for your state, on whether patients need a referral.
Your systems
Booking that tracks visits or days against your state's direct access limits.
How we work
No direct impact.
03ContractHealth plans

Payer authorization and visit limits

What it says

Many plans require prior authorization or limit the number of visits, and care beyond the authorization may not be paid.

Your website
Clear guidance for insured patients on authorizations and what they may owe.
Your systems
Authorized visits counted as they happen, with a warning before the last one.
How we work
No direct impact.
05RegulationHHS · OCR

HIPAA for booking and home exercise apps

Read the source (opens in a new tab): 45 CFR Part 164: HIPAA Security, Breach Notification, and Privacy Rules

What it says

Booking details, notes, and home exercise data tied to a patient are protected health information.

Your website
Booking forms that ask only what you need.
Your systems
Patient apps and portals on HIPAA eligible hosting, with no third party trackers.
How we work
We sign a business associate agreement before we touch patient data.

Built in, not bolted on

A site that follows the rules.

We build every rule on this page into the websites and systems we make for physical therapy clinics. This is a plain English summary, not legal advice, so check each source and check with your healthcare attorney, compliance lead, or state board.