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AB 1458

Physical therapy and veterinary medicine: animal physical therapy.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Wallis

Creates a regulated pathway for California-licensed physical therapists with animal-therapy training to provide animal physical therapy under veterinarian supervision or referral.

In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
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Bill Summary · AB 1458

AB 1458 — Physical therapy and veterinary medicine: animal physical therapy

Status: In committee (hearing postponed by committee)
Introduced: February 21, 2025 (Wallis)

Purpose / Intent

AB 1458 authorizes California-licensed physical therapists who meet specified education, training, and experience requirements to provide "animal physical therapy" — i.e., physical therapy services performed on animals — under defined supervision/referral arrangements with a licensed veterinarian. The bill is intended to create a regulated pathway that permits physical therapists with advanced animal-focused training to work with animal patients while preserving veterinary oversight and public safety.

Key provisions

  • Definition: “Animal physical therapy” = physical therapy (as defined in current law) when performed on an animal.
  • Eligibility: A physical therapist may provide animal physical therapy if they:
    • Hold an active, good‑standing California PT license and have held it at least one year.
    • Complete a training program including:
    • At least 100 hours of instruction/coursework on animal‑specific topics (assessment, behavior, biomechanics, common orthopedic/neurologic conditions, comparative anatomy/physiology, restraint/handling, therapeutic modalities/exercise, zoonotic disease, pain recognition, referral indications, etc.).
    • At least 40 hours of clinical training under a licensed veterinarian or a physical therapist experienced in animal physical therapy.
    • Complete at least 125 hours of providing animal physical therapy under direct supervision (text truncated in version, but the bill sets a supervised-practice hour requirement).
  • Supervision/referral pathways (either):
    1. Direct supervision by a licensed veterinarian at a premise registered with the California Veterinary Medical Board (CVMB); or
    2. Provision pursuant to a veterinarian referral, plus:
      • A written notification to the animal owner from the PT, and
      • An active written practice agreement between the physical therapist and the referring veterinarian (the PT must provide a copy to the CVMB or PT Board on request).
  • Notification and records: PTs providing animal physical therapy must notify the Physical Therapy Board of that practice.
  • Delegation/assistants: Physical therapy aides may assist the PT in specified tasks; the bill limits who may perform delegated animal PT tasks and requires PT oversight.
  • Liability and discipline:
    • A physical therapist is solely liable for delegated animal PT tasks performed under a referral or by persons the PT directly supervises.
    • A veterinarian issuing an order for animal physical therapy is not liable for the PT’s provision of that therapy (or by aides supervised by the PT).
    • Disciplinary actions by the CVMB against a PT are conclusive evidence of unprofessional conduct under the PT Practice Act; the PT Board must immediately notify the CVMB of any PT disciplinary actions or restrictions. PTs whose licenses are suspended/revoked/disciplined cannot provide animal physical therapy.
  • Limits: The bill does not authorize unlicensed persons to practice animal physical therapy (except specified aides) and does not authorize PTs to perform acts that constitute veterinary medicine beyond the PT scope.

Who is affected

  • Licensed physical therapists seeking to provide services to animal patients (new training, notification, and supervision requirements).
  • Licensed veterinarians (must establish vet–patient–client relationships and may enter practice agreements; limited liability for PT-performed therapy).
  • Animal owners and patients (expanded access to rehabilitative services performed by trained PTs).
  • California Veterinary Medical Board and Physical Therapy Board (new regulatory responsibilities, cross‑reporting, and enforcement roles).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced 2/21/2025; first read 2/24/2025.
  • Amended and re-referred to the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions 3/24–3/25/2025.
  • Committee hearing postponed 4/24/2025; current status: in committee (hearing postponed).

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Establishes a new regulated scope of practice for PTs working with animals, with specific education and supervised practice requirements.
  • Clarifies liability and supervisory relationships between veterinarians and physical therapists.
  • Imposes additional regulatory duties on two licensing boards; the bill notes these are state‑mandated local program changes but states no state reimbursement is required.
  • Practical implications include the need for training programs, standard practice agreements, procedures for owner notification, and enforcement mechanisms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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