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PT Board backs bills on prior authorization, school credentials and hybrid meetings; watches animal-therapy legislation as stakeholders press for education
Summary
The Physical Therapy Board of California on June 25 voted to support bills easing prior authorization for early physical-therapy visits and creating a school-administrative credential pathway for PTs and OTs, and extended support for hybrid public meetings, while holding action on proposed rules for animal physical therapy pending additional education from proponents.
The Physical Therapy Board of California on June 25 reviewed bills for the 2025 legislative session, voted to support three measures and placed an animal-therapy measure on a watch list while requesting more education from stakeholders.
The board voted 4–0 to support AB1009, a bill that would create a pathway for physical and occupational therapists to qualify for a preliminary services credential with a specialization in administrative services for schools, provided license, basic-skills competency and three years of school-based experience. The board also voted 4–0 to support AB574, which would prohibit health plans from requiring prior authorization for the first 12 physical-therapy visits for a new episode of care. The board additionally voted 4–0 to support SB470, legislation that extends the temporary teleconferencing provisions of the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act through 2030.
Brooke Arneson, the board’s legislation and regulation manager, outlined the session calendar and described a two-year designation for certain bills that did not advance this year. AB574 and the prior-session bill it resembles were previously vetoed by the governor; board materials included the earlier veto message and a comparison of the bills.
The board placed AB1458 — which would clarify the scope of physical therapy performed on animals and was sponsored by a coalition seeking regulated access for animal physical therapy — in a neutral/watch position and asked proponents to provide an educational presentation before the board takes a formal position. Several stakeholders addressed the board during public comment. Karen Atlas of the Physical Therapy Coalition described a broad coalition of veterinarians, technicians and animal-welfare groups supporting regulated animal physical therapy and requested a dedicated presentation in September. James M. Sims, a physical therapist with long involvement in the topic, urged the board to become more active in drafting workable statutory language.
The board also heard a public comment from Drew Fisk of the California Acupuncture Coalition opposing any effort to allow dry needling or needle-based therapies by non-acupuncturists, arguing that the technique is acupuncture under California law and should remain regulated through the acupuncture licensure process.
Tamika Island of the California Physical Therapy Association asked the board to consider support for the two bills (AB574 and AB1009) and offered to help disseminate board communications via CPTA channels. The board’s motions carried with unanimous votes from members present; the measures will now proceed through the legislative process and, if needed, return to the board for additional positions or comment letters.
Board staff also noted other departmentwide proposals of interest, including two bills (AB224 and SB62) that propose expanding California’s essential health benefits to cover certain durable medical equipment and hearing aids; these were noted as informational items for future consideration.
Sources: Board meeting transcript, staff bill analyses, motions recorded in meeting minutes.
