All Minnesota PT and PTA licenses expire on December 31st. You must have an active license to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in Minnesota. Practice under a non-renewed credential is basis for discipline under MS 148.75 (a) (18). Any practice after December 31, 2024, will be looked at as practicing without a license until your license has been renewed for 2025.
Complaints are allegations against physical therapists or physical therapist assistants.
Complaint Forms are filed by patients or any other interested party.
Report Registration Forms are filed by physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and/or other licensed health care professionals.
Corrective Action:
This Agreement is a contract between the Complaint Review Committee and the respondent (individual under investigation) in which the respondent agrees to take certain remedial action, usually educational, to correct problems identified in the Complaint Review process.
Corrective Action is not disciplinary action, but it is a public document. The Agreement is ratified by the Committee chair and does not require action by the full Board. After the terms of the Agreement have been fulfilled to the Committee’s satisfaction, the investigation is closed and a public closing letter is sent to the Licensee.
Stipulation and Order:
The Stipulation is an agreement between the respondent and the Complaint Review Committee in which the respondent agrees that certain restrictions should be imposed on their license as a result of the Committee having identified areas in which the respondent violated the Physical Therapy Practice Act. The Order implements the terms of the Stipulation. The Order is issued by the full Board when it has reviewed and ratified the Stipulation between the Complaint Review Committee and the respondent.
The Board of Physical Therapy is a regulatory agency of the State of Minnesota. The Board is responsible for the protection of the public through the licensing of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants and ensuring that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants meet minimum standards of practice.
Q: What can I do if I am concerned about the way my physical therapist or physical therapist assistant practices physical therapy?
A: If you are concerned about the way a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant practices, then you may wish to take one or more of the following steps:
1. Talk with the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant about your concerns, in most cases they will want to know that you are dissatisfied with the physical therapy received.
2. Talk with the Physical Therapy Department Manager, Clinic Manager, or Facility Administrator about your situation. They will want patients to be satisfied with services.
3. If you are unsatisfied with the above efforts or if you believe that it is inappropriate to do (1) or (2) above, then you may wish to file a Complaint or a Report with the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy. The Complaint and Report Registration forms are printable from this website. To initiate formal review, complete the form, have your signature notarized and send the form to the board office.
Q: What kinds of things can I complain about?
A: Most Complaints about physical therapist or physical therapist assistants fall into these categories:
1. Competency matters of all kinds
2. Supervision of support personnel, or delegation of physical therapist assistants and task assignment to physical therapy aides
3. Sexual misconduct
Q: What are the things that the Board can't help me with?
A: The Board can only take action against a physical therapist's or physical therapist assistant’s license. It cannot help you recover money from a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, or with billing or collections problems. It cannot help you with problems with other health care professionals such as physicians, chiropractors, nurses, occupational therapists, or athletic trainers.
Q: Must I use the Board's form to file a complaint?
A: Yes. The Board's complaint review process actually starts when the board receives a completed, notarized complaint. By completing a form and having your signature notarized, you are providing the documentation needed to begin review.
Q: How does the Board review a complaint?
A: First, information is gathered from a variety of sources (may include medical records, collection of data, and interviews), starting with the information provided in the written complaint. You will be asked to sign a release of information form to allow the Board to obtain your medical records. Signing the release will speed the handling of the complaint. If it is appropriate, the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant may be asked to respond to the complaint. When the information gathering is complete the Board Complaint Review Committee will review the facts and decide whether to recommend that the Board take action against the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.
Q: What is the purpose of the Board's review?
A: By reviewing the information collected, the Board is able to learn whether the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant has violated the Minnesota Physical Therapy Practice Act. If the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant has violated the law then the board may take action.
Q: What kinds of action can the Board take?
A: The Board may take a variety of actions. It can limit, suspend, or revoke a physical therapist's or physical therapist assistant’s license to practice in Minnesota. It can order physical therapists to take more training, practice under supervision, or enroll in appropriate treatment programs.
Q: Will a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant know that I filed a complaint?
A: During the review process, your identity will be protected unless you consent to have it disclosed. Disclosing your identity can assist the board in investigating your complaint since physical therapists and physical therapist assistants must respond to specific complaints rather than general accusations.
Q: How long does the complaint review process take?
A: There is no predetermined time limit. The length of the process tends to vary with the complexity of the complaint, and ranges from months to over a year.
Q: How can I find out about the status of my complaint?
A: You may contact board staff at any time. In addition, Board staff will contact you when the review process is complete and the Board has made a decision about your complaint.
Q: Do all complaints lead to action against a physical therapist?
A: Some complaints do not lead to action against a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. The Board cannot take action unless there is sufficient evidence to show that the physical therapist has violated the Minnesota Physical Therapy Practice Act. The Board must thoroughly review each complaint before it takes any action.
Q: If the Board cannot act, is there anything else that I can do?
A: Board staff may advise you on the services of other governmental agencies or professional associations if the Board is not the appropriate agency to deal with your concerns.
Q: Are there any costs associated with filing a complaint?
A: There are no costs for filing a complaint. You may have to pay a notary public a nominal fee to notarize your complaint before you file it.
Q: Do I need an attorney to help me file my complaint?
A: The Board's complaint process is designed for the public. If you have questions about filing your complaint, Board staff can assist you.
Q: If I file a complaint may I also take legal action?
A: Filing a complaint will not preclude other legal action you choose to consider.
Q: Who is on the Board of Physical Therapy?
A: The Board of Physical Therapy has eleven board members appointed by the governor. The members include five physical therapists, two physical therapist assistants, one medical doctor, and three members of the general public. The Board and staff work closely with attorneys from the Minnesota Attorney General's office when reviewing complaints.
