A physical therapist may, upon specified authorization of a physician and surgeon, perform tissue penetration for the purpose of evaluating neuromuscular performance as a part of the practice of physical therapy, as defined in Section 2620, provided the physical therapist is certified by the board to perform the tissue penetration and evaluation and provided the physical therapist does not develop or make diagnostic or prognostic interpretations of the data obtained. Any physical therapist who develops or makes a diagnostic or prognostic interpretation of this data is in violation of the Medical Practice Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 2), and may be subject to all of the sanctions and penalties set forth in that act.
The board, after meeting and conferring with the Division of Licensing of the Medical Board of California, shall do all of the following:
(a) Adopt standards and procedures for tissue penetration for the purpose of evaluating neuromuscular performance by certified physical therapists.
(b) Establish standards for physical therapists to perform tissue penetration for the purpose of evaluating neuromuscular performance.
(c) Certify physical therapists meeting standards established by the board pursuant to this section.
(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 427, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)