Can a Physical Therapist Date a Former Patient? The Rules in Every State

In most states the rules don't answer it directly. In 38 of the 50 states, the physical therapy practice act and board rules say nothing specific about former patients. Six states set a waiting period, from 3 months in New Jersey to 2 years in Washington. Seven, including DC, set conditions with no fixed period: a relationship that grows out of the care can still be misconduct after discharge. With a current patient, the answer is no in 44 of the 50 states and DC.

This article goes through every state for PTs and PTAs: a short answer, the rule it comes from with a link to the official source, and the exact words of every rule that reaches past discharge. I'm an occupational therapist, not a PT, so I've stayed with what the rules say.

This isn't legal advice. I checked every rule on November 9, 2026, on the state's own legislature, code or board site. Your board's current rule is the one that counts.

The Short Answer

• Current patients: no. In 44 of the 51 jurisdictions the rules ban a sexual relationship with a current patient, in their own words or through the APTA code they adopt. Montana bans it when it is likely to impair your judgment or harm the patient. The other six have no specific rule, and their general ethics grounds still apply.
• Former patients: no specific rule in 38. That isn't a green light. Every board can still discipline under its general unprofessional-conduct ground.
• Six waiting periods: New Jersey 3 months (plus a written discharge), Arkansas 6 months, Nevada 6 months (presumed violation), Wisconsin 6 months (2 years for minors), Idaho 12 months, Washington 2 years.
• Seven sets of conditions with no fixed period: DC, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. The usual test is whether the relationship comes from exploiting the trust or influence of the care.
• No state bans every former patient for life. But a relationship that starts during care began with a current patient, and discharging them doesn't undo that. Washington bans ending care for that purpose outright.
• PTAs are covered in every state, by name or as licensees.

What the APTA Code of Ethics Says

The national layer is the American Physical Therapy Association's Code of Ethics. In 2025 APTA's House of Delegates replaced the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and the separate Standards of Ethical Conduct for the PTA with one Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession (opens in a new tab), in effect since January 1, 2026. Its rule on patients is short:

4.2 Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants shall not engage in any sexual relationship with any of their patients and clients, supervisees, or students.

The older codes said the same thing (Principle 4E in the 2010 edition, 4C in later ones), for PTs and for PTAs.

On former patients the code is silent, and APTA has said that is on purpose. Its Guide for Professional Conduct (opens in a new tab), written for the 2010 code and still posted by APTA, quotes its Ethics and Judicial Committee:

The Committee does not believe it feasible to establish any bright-line rule for when, if ever, initiation of a romantic/sexual relationship with a former patient would be ethically permissible.

The committee adds that some relationships "would not offend" if started soon after treatment ends, while others "might never be appropriate." The question it asks is whether the patient is being exploited.

APTA can only discipline its own members. Its code binds every licensee only where a state writes it into its own rules, and then the state board enforces it. Nineteen jurisdictions do that in some form, and the edition matters:

• Whatever edition is current: DC, Massachusetts, Mississippi and Tennessee. Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon name the code without an edition.
• The 2019 or 2020 editions: Arizona, Idaho, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Utah.
• The 2010 edition: Illinois (the PT code only), North Dakota, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. Minnesota uses the 2010 documents to interpret its own rule.
• Older or indirect: Maine adopts the June 1991 code. Louisiana counts APTA's code as part of its minimal standards of practice.

Arizona, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Rhode Island and Utah also adopt APTA's Guide for Professional Conduct (Rhode Island the 2010 edition, which I couldn't open). In those states the guide is part of what the board can enforce. I've still counted them as having no specific rule on former patients, because the guide declines to set one.

Every State at a Glance

No rule on former patients means the practice act and board rules say nothing specific about them, and the rest of that cell says what they say about current patients. Each citation links to the official source I read.

The States With a Specific Rule on Former Patients

Waiting periods

Six states set a fixed period after care ends. The clock is counted from the last treatment or the end of the professional relationship, depending on the state.

• New Jersey, 3 months plus a written discharge. The patient-therapist relationship "is ongoing for purposes of this section, unless: 1) Physical therapy is terminated by way of written notice to the patient and is documented in the patient record; and 2) The last physical therapy provided by that licensee was rendered more than three months ago." The rule bans "sexual contact," and a patient's consent or the licensee's affection is no defense. (N.J.A.C. 13:39A-3.10(c) (opens in a new tab): the board's own rules PDF, revised 9/07/2021, in the web archive. The official code is online only in LexisNexis's viewer, and the rule hasn't changed since the board's 2015 amendment (opens in a new tab).)
• Arkansas, 6 months. Unprofessional conduct includes "engaging in a sexual/romantic relationship, including, but not limited to, kissing, sexual contact, and sexual intercourse, with a current patient or with any person who was treated as a patient within the preceding six (6) months." And: "A patient's consent to, initiation of, or participation in the sexual contact or sexual/romantic relationship does not change the nature of the conduct nor the prohibition." (17 CAR § 175-108 (opens in a new tab))
• Nevada, 6 months, as a presumption. A licensee "Shall not engage in sexual activities with a patient unless there was a preexisting sexual relationship with that person. The Board will presume that there is a violation of this subsection if the sexual relationship and activity begins during the course of treatment of the patient or within 6 months after the termination of the professional relationship with the patient." (NAC 640.580 (opens in a new tab))
• Wisconsin, 6 months (2 years for minors). "An adult receiving treatment shall continue to be a patient for 6 months after the termination of professional services." A minor stays a patient "for 2 years after termination of services or for 2 years after the patient reaches the age of majority, whichever is longer." There is no time limit for "a patient or former patient who lacks the ability to consent for any reason, including age, medication, or psychological or cognitive disability." (Wis. Admin. Code PT 7.025(16) (opens in a new tab))
• Idaho, 12 months, then an exploitation test. Grounds for discipline include sexual contact "with a patient or former patient," where "A former patient means a patient for whom the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant has provided physical therapy services within the last twelve (12) months." After that: "Sexual or romantic relationships with former patients beyond the period of time set forth herein may also be a violation if the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant uses or exploits the trust, knowledge, emotions or influence derived from the prior professional relationship." Consent is no defense. (Idaho Code § 54-2219(10) (opens in a new tab))
• Washington, 2 years, then conditions. A PT or PTA "shall not engage, or attempt to engage, in the activities listed in subsection (1) of this section with a former patient, client or key party within two years after the provider-patient/client relationship ends." After two years it is still barred if "There is a significant likelihood that the patient, client or key party will seek or require additional services" from you, or "There is an imbalance of power, influence, opportunity, or special knowledge of the professional relationship." During care the list includes "Soliciting a date," "Suggesting or discussing the possibility of a dating, sexual, or romantic relationship after the professional relationship ends," and "Terminating a professional relationship for the purpose of dating or pursuing a romantic or sexual relationship." (WAC 246-915-182 (opens in a new tab))

Conditions with no fixed period

These seven set no waiting period, but their rules reach past discharge.

• District of Columbia. For every health licensee, discipline covers "Sexual contact with a former patient or client when the patient or client may still be vulnerable by virtue of the power imbalance that existed in the practitioner-patient or practitioner-client relationship, even if the relationship may appear to be or is mutually consensual when such contact is likely to have an adverse impact on the patient or client." DC's PT rules also adopt APTA's standards "as they may be amended or republished from time to time." (D.C. Code § 3-1205.14(a)(23)(D) (opens in a new tab); 17 DCMR § 6714.4 (opens in a new tab))
• Kentucky. The ban covers sexual contact "with any active patient of record," and an "Active patient" is "a person who is or has been under a physical therapy plan of care unless care is transferred or terminated in writing." So a past patient stays covered until the care is ended or handed off in writing. This statute took effect July 15, 2026; the board's older rule still speaks of a current patient. (KRS 327.070(2)(c) (opens in a new tab); KRS 327.010(1) (opens in a new tab))
• Louisiana. "Sexual misconduct between a licensee and a former patient after termination of the therapist–patient relationship may also constitute unprofessional conduct if the sexual misconduct is a result of the exploitation of trust, knowledge, influence or emotions derived from the professional relationship." (La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. LIV, § 345(B)(5) (opens in a new tab))
• Minnesota. PTs and PTAs may not have a sexual relationship with a patient "while a physical therapist-patient or physical therapist assistant-patient relationship exists," and "A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall not exploit the therapist-patient relationship for sexual purposes, and termination of the therapist-patient relationship is not a defense to exploitation involving sexual misconduct." (Minn. R. 5601.3200, subp. 2(C) (opens in a new tab))
• Ohio. "A license holder shall not engage in any sexual relationship or conduct, including dating, with any patient ... while a therapist-patient relationship exists." And at the top of the same rule: "For the purposes of this rule, the patient-therapist relationship may extend beyond the established plan of care." (Ohio Adm.Code 4755:2-2-01(A), (B)(7) (opens in a new tab))
• Texas. The board's rule covers "engaging in sexual contact with a patient/client as the result of the patient/client relationship," which isn't limited to the time of treatment. Separately, the Penal Code treats it as sexual assault when a health care services provider, defined to include "a physical therapist licensed under Chapter 453," causes "a patient or former patient" to submit or participate "by exploiting the other person's emotional dependency." (22 TAC § 322.4(b)(9) (opens in a new tab); Tex. Penal Code § 22.011(b)(9), (c)(3)(C) (opens in a new tab))
• Virginia. "Sexual contact between a practitioner and a former patient after termination of the practitioner-patient relationship may still constitute unprofessional conduct if the sexual contact is a result of the exploitation of trust, knowledge, or influence of emotions derived from the professional relationship." Sexual contact includes behavior that "May reasonably be interpreted as romantic involvement," and "A person is presumed to remain a patient until the patient-practitioner relationship is terminated." (18VAC112-20-190 (opens in a new tab))

Bans that end when care ends

The other 32 states with a rule ban a relationship with a current patient and stop there. The wording tells you where the line sits:

• While a relationship exists: Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina and Wyoming.
• Until discharge, in so many words: Colorado ("through the termination of treatment"), Oregon ("any person who has not been discharged from that therapist's care") and Pennsylvania (the relationship ends "upon discharge from or discontinuance of services").
• While treating: Alabama ("a patient currently under your care"), North Carolina ("while the person is under the care of") and Michigan ("while the licensee or registrant is acting within the health profession").
• No time words at all: California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Oklahoma and Vermont.
• Through an adopted APTA code: Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee and Utah.
• A judgment test: Montana, under a rule shared by several professions since July 25, 2026.

Several of these name dating, not just sex: Ohio, Oregon and Wyoming say "including dating," Pennsylvania lists "Soliciting a date from a patient," and Maine bars using the relationship "to solicit a date or initiate romantic relationships."

No specific rule at all

Six have no rule naming a sexual relationship with a patient, current or former: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, New York and West Virginia. Their boards would act under a general ground, such as Alaska's conduct "contrary to the recognized standards of ethics of the physical therapy profession" (AS 08.84.120(a)(4) (opens in a new tab)) or New York's "moral unfitness" (8 NYCRR § 29.1(b)(5) (opens in a new tab)). New York's PT board practice alert (opens in a new tab) lists "forming a sexual relationship with a current or recent patient/client" as a prohibited dual relationship, but it also says that not following its guidance "may be interpreted as professional misconduct only if the conduct also violates pertinent law, rules and regulations."

If You're in This Situation

None of this is legal advice. It is what the rules above have in common, put as steps.

1. Nothing while they're on your caseload. No date, no hint, no "after you're discharged." Washington's rule bans even suggesting it during care, and many rules say the patient's consent or first move changes nothing.
2. If feelings are building on either side, hand the case off. Ask your supervisor or the agency to reassign the patient, and say why if you can. In home health that's usually a scheduling change, not a crisis.
3. Don't discharge to date. Washington names that outright, and in Kentucky, New Jersey and Virginia the person stays your patient until care is properly ended. Discharge when the goals are met or the case moves, and document it in writing.
4. Count from the last visit, and wait at least your state's period. Where there is no period, the further you are from the care, the easier it is to show the relationship didn't come out of it.
5. Ask the questions the boards ask. Is the person likely to need you again? Home health patients often come back after the next hospital stay, and Washington's rule asks exactly that. Did you learn things in their home or chart that give you an advantage? Are they vulnerable because of cognition, medication or age? Wisconsin sets no time limit for a former patient who can't consent.
6. Check the other rules you work under. Your agency or clinic may have its own policy. If you treated the person in another state, by telehealth or on a compact privilege, that state's rule matters too.
7. When in doubt, ask. Your board can tell you what its rule means, and a lawyer who handles professional licensing can tell you how it applies to you. Our licensure compact tool links each state's PT board.

Key Takeaways

• Current patients are off limits in almost every state, and APTA's code bans it too.
• 38 of the 50 states have no specific rule on former patients. That leaves it to the board's general unprofessional-conduct ground, not to you.
• Six states set a waiting period: New Jersey 3 months, Arkansas, Nevada and Wisconsin 6 months, Idaho 12 months, Washington 2 years.
• Seven more (DC, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, Virginia) can act after discharge if the relationship comes from the care.
• The rules cover PTAs as well as PTs.
• This isn't legal advice. I checked these rules on November 9, 2026, and your board's current rule is the one that counts.

Frequently asked questions

Can a physical therapist date a former patient?

In most states the rules don't say. In 38 of the 50 states, the PT practice act and board rules have nothing specific on former patients, though the board can still act under its general unprofessional-conduct ground. Six states set a waiting period, from 3 months in New Jersey to 2 years in Washington. Seven, including DC, can discipline a relationship after discharge if it grows out of the care, with no fixed period. A current patient is off limits almost everywhere.

How long does a physical therapist have to wait to date a former patient?

Only six states set a period. New Jersey: more than 3 months since your last treatment, with care ended by written notice in the record. Arkansas: 6 months from the last treatment. Nevada: a relationship that starts within 6 months after care ends is presumed a violation. Wisconsin: 6 months after care ends, and at least 2 years for a minor. Idaho: 12 months from the last physical therapy service. Washington: 2 years after care ends. In Idaho and Washington the rule can still apply after the period is over.

Does the APTA Code of Ethics allow dating a former patient?

It doesn't set a rule either way. APTA's Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession, in effect since January 1, 2026, bans any sexual relationship with a current patient or client (Standard 4.2). On former patients, APTA's Ethics and Judicial Committee has said it does not think a bright-line rule is feasible, and asks whether the patient is being exploited. APTA enforces its code only on its members, but 19 jurisdictions write APTA's code into their own rules in some form.

Do these rules apply to physical therapist assistants?

Yes. Every state's rule reaches PTAs, either by naming them or by applying to every licensee. Two gaps: Illinois adopts the 2010 APTA code written for PTs only, though its general unprofessional-conduct ground still covers PTAs, and the Texas criminal law on exploiting a former patient names physical therapists but not assistants.

Can a physical therapist date a patient's family member?

Some states cover that too. Washington's rule covers a patient's key party, such as a spouse, parent, child or guardian, with the same 2-year wait. Florida's sexual misconduct law covers an immediate family member, guardian or representative of the patient. Kentucky's covers the parent or legal guardian of an active patient, and Wisconsin's covers a patient's immediate family member. In home health, where you meet the family at every visit, treat them as part of the care relationship.

Sources

Every state's rule is linked in the table, to the state's legislature, its official administrative code publisher or its PT board. All were read on November 9, 2026.

• APTA, Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession (opens in a new tab), in effect January 1, 2026: Standard 4.2 and aspirational example 4.A.
• APTA, Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist (opens in a new tab) (HOD S06-20-28-25) and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (opens in a new tab) (HOD S06-20-31-26), the editions many states adopted: Principle 4C in each.
• APTA, Guide for Professional Conduct (opens in a new tab) and Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant (opens in a new tab): the Ethics and Judicial Committee's opinion on sexual relationships with patients or former patients.
• Texas Penal Code § 22.011 (opens in a new tab): (b)(9) and (c)(3)(C).
• New York State Education Department, Rules of the Board of Regents, Part 29 (opens in a new tab), and the PT board's practice alert on professional boundaries (opens in a new tab).