Practice Acts
Can a Registered Nurse Pronounce Death? The Rules in Every State
Can an RN pronounce death when a home health or hospice patient dies at home? Every state's rule for RNs and LPNs, quoted and linked to its source.
Reza
·41 min read
Resources
Practice Acts
What state practice acts and board rules say for PTs, OTs, speech therapists and nurses, one question at a time, with every state side by side.
Every state writes its own rules for each profession, and the answer to a plain question (can I date a former patient? who has to be on site when a student treats?) can change at the state line. The rules sit in statutes, administrative codes and board positions that are hard to search and harder to compare.
Each article here takes one question for one profession and answers it for all 50 states and DC: a short answer per state, the rule it comes from, and a link to the source. Where a state has no rule on the question, the article says so rather than guessing.
These are a starting point, not legal advice. Each article shows the date the rules were checked, and your board's current rule is the one that counts.
Articles & guides
27 articles in Practice Acts
Practice Acts
Can a PTA Do a Re-evaluation or Discharge? The Rules in Every State
Can a PTA do a re-evaluation or discharge? No state lets a PTA re-evaluate, and 37 make discharge the PT's job. Every state's rule, quoted and linked.
Reza
·34 min read
Practice Acts
Can a Physical Therapist Order X-Rays or an MRI? The Rules in Every State
Can a PT order X-rays or an MRI? Nine jurisdictions say yes in law, three say no, and most say nothing. Every state's rule, quoted and linked.
Reza
·30 min read
Practice Acts
How Closely Does an OT Have to Supervise a COTA? The Rules in All 50 States and DC
How often must an OT meet with a COTA? 34 states set a minimum, most about monthly. Every state's rule on contact, ratios and logs, quoted and linked.
Reza
·36 min read
Practice Acts
Can a Physical Therapist With a DPT Be Called "Dr."? The Rules in Every State
Can a PT with a DPT use "Dr."? 21 states allow it with conditions, such as naming your profession; 27 and DC say nothing specific. Every rule quoted and linked.
Reza
·29 min read
Practice Acts
Is Dry Needling Legal for Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists? Every State's Rule
Can PTs and OTs dry needle in your state? 34 states and DC allow PTs, and 11 and DC allow OTs. Every rule quoted and linked, plus Medicare.
Reza
·35 min read
Practice Acts
What Can an LPN or LVN Do? IV Therapy, Assessments and Aides in Every State
What can an LPN or LVN do under your state's nurse practice act? IV therapy, assessments and supervising aides in all 50 states and DC, quoted and linked.
Reza
·32 min read
Practice Acts
Do PTs, OTs, SLPs and Nurses Have to Report Abuse? The Law in Every State
Must a PT, OT, SLP or nurse report child or elder abuse, and to whom? Every state's reporting law, quoted and linked, plus Medicare's home health rule.
Reza
·34 min read
Practice Acts
Nursing Continuing Education Requirements by State: RN and LPN Hours and Required Topics
How many CE hours do RNs and LPNs need to renew, and on what topics? Every state's rule, quoted and linked, including the 13 states with no CE hours.
Reza
·34 min read