South Carolina Physical Therapy Ethics, Professionalism, and Jurisprudence

An applied review of the South Carolina Physical Therapy Practice Act, Chapter 101 regulations, ethical standards, scope and supervision, direct access and referral, documentation, patient rights, boundaries, financial integrity, reporting, discipline, telehealth, and case-based jurisprudence.

Learning Objectives

• Distinguish Legal, Ethical, and Practice Authorities: Differentiate among South Carolina statutes, regulations, Board guidance, ethical standards, employer policies, and payer requirements, and determine which authority controls when requirements conflict.
• Explain South Carolina Scope of Practice and Direct Access: Apply South Carolina’s legal scope of physical therapy practice, including direct-access, 30-day treatment, and condition-based referral requirements.
• Differentiate PT, PTA, Student, and Aide Responsibilities: Identify the lawful responsibilities and limitations of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, students, and aides.
• Apply Supervision and Delegation Requirements: Apply requirements for supervision, delegation, plan-of-care authority, reevaluation, periodic review, and response to meaningful changes in patient status.
• Apply Ethical Standards for PTs and PTAs: Use South Carolina’s enforceable ethical standards through a structured ethical decision-making process.
• Protect Patient Rights and Professional Boundaries: Support meaningful consent, confidentiality, privacy safeguards, professional boundaries, and recognition of financial conflicts of interest.
• Demonstrate Documentation, Billing, and Reporting Compliance: Apply accurate documentation and billing practices while distinguishing immediate safety action, mandatory reporting, ethical escalation, Board complaints, and disciplinary processes.
• Apply South Carolina Requirements to Modern Practice: Use a defensible practice framework for telehealth, Physical Therapy Compact privileges, interstate practice, and integrated jurisprudence cases.