Texas Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Practice Exam

Free Texas Physical Therapy Practice Sample Questions & Answers

Question 1. A Texas PT develops a plan of care after completing the patient’s examination. The PT then asks a PTA to change the patient’s treatment goals because the patient has improved more quickly than expected. What should the PTA do?

A. Change the goals and document the reason for the change.

B. Change the goals if the supervising PT verbally approves the change later.

C. Continue implementing the established plan and refer the requested change to the supervising PT.

D. Ask the patient to approve the revised goals before changing them.

Correct Answer. C.

Explanation: Under the Texas physical therapy rules, the PTA may provide physical therapy services under the supervision of a PT and may modify treatment techniques as indicated within the established plan of care. However, the PTA may not alter the plan of care or its goals. Responsibility for the plan of care remains with the PT. If a patient’s progress indicates that goals or the overall plan should change, the PTA should communicate the information to the supervising PT so the PT can perform the appropriate reassessment or reevaluation and make any necessary modification. A patient request or later verbal approval does not authorize the PTA to independently change the goals.

Question 2. A Texas PTA is scheduled to provide treatment to a patient. The supervising PT is unavailable, but a physician who works in the same clinic offers to supervise the PTA for the afternoon. Which response is consistent with Texas requirements?

A. The physician may supervise because the physician is independently licensed.

B. The physician may supervise if the patient signs a consent form.

C. The PTA may provide treatment under the physician’s supervision for routine cases.

D. The PTA must have the required supervision from a licensed physical therapy professional.

Correct Answer. D.

Explanation: Texas physical therapy supervision requirements are specific to physical therapy personnel. A physician, occupational therapist, or another non-PT professional cannot substitute for the required PT supervision of physical therapy services provided by a PTA. The Texas Board states that only licensed physical therapy personnel may supervise physical therapy treatment by a PTA or physical therapy aide. The fact that the supervising individual holds another professional license does not satisfy the PT supervision requirement. A patient’s consent also does not change the regulatory standard. The supervising PT remains responsible for the physical therapy care provided under that supervision and for meeting the applicable supervision requirements.

Question 3. A Texas PT provides treatment through telehealth to a patient who is physically located in Texas. The PT is physically located in another state while providing the service. Which statement is correct?

A. The PT cannot provide the service because the PT is physically outside Texas.

B. The PT may provide the service if the PT has an unrestricted Texas license or a Texas Compact Privilege.

C. The PT may provide the service only if the patient travels to Texas during the appointment.

D. Telehealth is permitted only when the PT and patient are physically located in the same state.

Correct Answer. B.

Explanation: Texas Board guidance specifically addresses telehealth based on the patient’s physical location. A PT or PTA located outside Texas may provide physical therapy services through telehealth to a patient physically located in Texas when the practitioner has either an unrestricted Texas license or a Compact Privilege to practice in Texas. The practitioner’s physical location outside the state does not by itself prevent the service. However, telehealth services remain subject to the applicable Texas standard of care and other requirements. If the patient is physically located outside Texas, the laws and regulations of that other jurisdiction generally govern the service.

Question 4. A Texas PT is reviewing a patient’s progress and determines that the existing plan of care is no longer appropriate because the patient’s condition has changed significantly. What is the PT’s most appropriate responsibility?

A. Continue the existing plan without modification until the original goals expire.

B. Ask the PTA to rewrite the plan because the PTA provides most of the treatment.

C. Reevaluate the patient and modify the plan of care when necessary.

D. Discharge the patient immediately in every case involving a change in condition.

Correct Answer. C.

Explanation: The Texas rules place responsibility for important aspects of patient management with the physical therapist, including examination, evaluation, reexamination and reevaluation, and modification of the plan of care when necessary. A significant change in a patient’s condition may require the PT to reassess whether the existing plan remains appropriate. The PT should not simply continue an unsuitable plan because its original goals have not expired. Likewise, modification of the plan is not automatically a PTA responsibility. The appropriate response is to evaluate the patient’s current status and make clinically appropriate changes consistent with Texas requirements and the PT’s professional judgment.

Question 5. A Texas PTA has been asked to perform a treatment technique that the PTA has never been trained to perform. The supervising PT is familiar with the technique and believes it could benefit the patient. What is the appropriate action?

A. The PTA may perform it because the supervising PT accepts responsibility.

B. The PTA may perform it if the patient signs an acknowledgment.

C. The PTA should not perform the technique until the PTA has the necessary competence.

D. The PTA may perform it because Texas prohibits PTAs from performing only a limited list of techniques.

Correct Answer. C.

Explanation: Texas rules do not establish a simple list of techniques that PTAs are categorically prohibited from performing. Instead, the supervising PT must consider the PTA’s education, training, experience, competency, the practice setting, patient condition, and monitoring needs before delegating a technique. The Board specifically states that it is a violation for a PT to delegate a technique to a PTA who is not competent to perform it, and it is also a violation for a PTA to perform or attempt a technique for which the PTA is not competent. Patient consent or the PT’s willingness to accept responsibility does not replace the competency requirement.

Question 6. A Texas PT is preparing for license renewal in 2026. The PT has completed 30 approved continuing competence units during the renewal period but has not completed the required TX JAM. What should the PT do?

A. Submit the renewal because the CCU requirement has been satisfied.

B. Complete the TX JAM before completing the renewal process.

C. Substitute additional CCUs for the TX JAM.

D. Ask the employer to certify that the PT understands Texas law.

Correct Answer. B.

Explanation: Texas PT license renewal requires more than completing the required continuing competence units. Current Texas Board renewal information lists a passing score on the Jurisprudence Assessment Module (TX JAM) among the renewal requirements. Therefore, completing the required CCUs does not eliminate the separate jurisprudence requirement. A PT should complete the TX JAM and satisfy the other applicable renewal requirements before submitting the renewal. Current Board guidance also states that PTs need 30 CCUs during each two-year renewal cycle, while PTAs need 20 CCUs. Candidates should verify the current renewal checklist because regulatory and administrative requirements can change.

Question 7. A PT is completing continuing competence activities for a Texas renewal application. The PT attended a course but cannot find a Texas-specific approval number, accredited provider number, or applicable pre-approved activity number. What should the PT do before relying on the course for renewal credit?

A. Enter the course anyway because attendance automatically creates CCUs.

B. Count every hour as two CCUs.

C. Verify that the activity meets the Board’s approval requirements before reporting it.

D. Report the course only after the license has expired.

Correct Answer. C.

Explanation: Texas requires continuing competence activities reported for PT or PTA renewal to meet specified approval criteria. Current Board guidance states that activities must be approved through the Continuing Competence Approval Program, offered by a Texas Accredited Provider, or qualify as a Board pre-approved activity. The licensee is responsible for ensuring that the activity meets the applicable requirements before relying on it for renewal. One contact hour equals one CCU. A course does not automatically qualify merely because the licensee attended it. If approval is required and has not been established, the licensee should resolve that issue before submitting the activity as renewal credit.

Question 8. A Texas PT is supervising a PTA who provides treatment through telehealth. The PT argues that telehealth allows the PTA to work under a lower standard of supervision because the PT is not physically present. Which statement is correct?

A. Telehealth eliminates the normal PTA supervision requirements.

B. The standard of care is lower when services are delivered remotely.

C. The same applicable standard of care and PTA supervision requirements apply.

D. The PTA may practice independently if the patient agrees.

Correct Answer. C.

Explanation: Texas Board guidance states that physical therapy delivered through telehealth is subject to the same standard of care that would apply when the same service is provided in person. This includes the applicable supervision requirements for PTAs. Telehealth changes the method of delivering care, but it does not automatically eliminate professional responsibilities or permit a PTA to practice independently. The supervising PT must continue to meet the requirements governing PTA supervision and patient care. A patient’s agreement cannot waive regulatory requirements. When telehealth is used, the practitioner should consider the patient’s circumstances, applicable consent requirements, technology, and the same professional standards that would apply to comparable in-person services.

Question 9. A PT and PTA regularly discuss a patient’s progress informally in the clinic hallway but do not document these conferences. The PT believes the discussions are sufficient because both professionals clearly understand the patient’s status. Which statement best reflects Texas Board guidance?

A. Informal discussions never qualify as conferences.

B. The discussions may satisfy the communication requirement when appropriately documented.

C. Documentation is unnecessary when the PT and PTA work in the same facility.

D. Only written messages exchanged through the electronic health record can qualify.

Correct Answer. B.

Explanation: Texas Board guidance recognizes that PT and PTA conferences concerning patient care may occur through different forms of communication. The Board has indicated that informal discussions can satisfy the conference requirement when they are appropriately documented. The purpose of requiring documentation is to ensure that communication concerning the patient’s care becomes part of the patient’s record. Simply having an informal conversation without documentation may therefore be insufficient. The Board does not prescribe one specific documentation format for every conference, but the record should reflect the relevant communication. Physical therapists and PTAs should follow the applicable rules and maintain documentation that supports continuity and accountability in patient care.

Question 10. A physical therapist licensed in Texas wants to provide telehealth services to a patient who is physically located in another state. The PT has an unrestricted Texas license but no license or compact privilege in the patient’s state. What should the PT consider?

A. Texas law automatically governs because the PT holds a Texas license.

B. The PT may practice because telehealth occurs electronically.

C. The laws and regulations of the state where the patient is located govern the service.

D. The PT may provide the service if the patient signs a waiver.

Correct Answer. C.

Explanation: Texas Board guidance distinguishes between telehealth provided to patients physically located in Texas and services provided to patients located elsewhere. The Texas PT rules govern Texas telehealth services when the patient is physically located in Texas. When a Texas-licensed PT provides telehealth to a patient physically located in another state or country, the statutes and rules of that jurisdiction govern the service. A Texas license alone does not automatically authorize practice in another jurisdiction. Before providing cross-border telehealth, the PT should determine whether the patient’s location permits the service and whether the practitioner holds the required license, compact privilege, or other authorization there.