25.1302.01001
Title.02000
Adopted by the Human Services
Committee
Sixty-ninth
January 27, 2025
Legislative Assembly
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Senators Bekkedahl, Boschee, Lee
Representatives Koppelman, Satrom
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 14 of section 43-26.1-01 and section
43-26.1-11.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to diagnostic imaging by physical
therapists.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Subsection 14 of section 43-26.1-01 of the North Dakota
Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
14."Practice of physical therapy" means:
a.Examining, evaluating, and testing individuals with mechanical, physiological,
and developmental impairments, functional limitations in movement and mobility,
and disabilities or other health and movement-related conditions to determine a
diagnosis for physical therapy, prognosis, and plan of therapeutic intervention,
and to assess the ongoing effects of intervention. The term includes ordering
musculoskeletaldiagnostic imaging consisting of plain film radiographs to be
performed by a professional authorized by chapter 43-62 and interpreted by a
licensed physician trained in radiology interpretation, and using these results to
determine if a referral to another health care provider is necessary or indicates
the necessary treatment is within the physical therapist's scope of practice.
b.Alleviating impairments, functional limitations in movement and mobility, and
disabilities by designing, implementing and modifying therapeutic interventions
that may include therapeutic exercise; neuromuscular education; functional
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SENATE BILL NO. 2273
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO
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20 Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly
training related to positioning, movement, and mobility in self-care and in-home,
community, or work integration or reintegration; manual therapy; therapeutic
massage; prescription, application and, as appropriate, fabrication of assistive,
adaptive, orthotic, prosthetic, protective, and supportive devices and equipment
related to positioning, movement, and mobility; airway clearance techniques;
integumentary protection and repair techniques; debridement and wound care;
physiotherapy; physical agents or modalities; mechanical and electrotherapeutic
modalities; and patient-related instruction.
c.Engaging as a physical therapist in reducing the risk of injury, impairment,
functional limitation and disability, including the promotion and maintenance of
fitness, health, and wellness in populations of all ages.
d.Engaging as a physical therapist in administration, consultation, education, and
research.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Section 43-26.1-11.1 of the North Dakota Century Code is
amended and reenacted as follows:
43-26.1-11.1. Ordering imaging.
1.A physical therapist may order musculoskeletaldiagnostic imaging consisting of plain
film radiographs if the physical therapist holds:
a.Holds a clinical doctorate degree in physical therapy; or has completed
b.Completed a board-approved formal medical imaging training program.
2.A physical therapist ordering diagnostic imaging shall report the results to the patient's
designated specialty or primary care provider within seven days of receipt of the image
to ensure coordination of care, unless:
a.The patient does not have a specialty or primary care provider; or
b.The specialty or primary care provider received the images from the health care
professional who performed or interpreted the images.
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