# Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-104: Unauthorized practice of medicine - Scope of practice

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-104

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-104
- **Heading:** Unauthorized practice of medicine - Scope of practice
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 63 / Chapter 13 / Section 63-13-104

## Text

(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as allowing physical therapists to practice medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, chiropractic or nursing. (b) (1) Except as provided in § 63-13-303 , the scope of practice of physical therapy is under the written or oral referral of a licensed: (A) Doctor of medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, podiatry, or osteopathy; or (B) Nurse practitioner or physician assistant pursuant to § 63-6-204(b) . (2) The scope of practice of physical therapy shall not include the performance of treatment where the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant uses direct thrust to move a joint of the patient's spine beyond its normal range of motion without exceeding the limits of anatomical integrity. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 107, s 1, eff. 4/4/2023. Acts 1999, ch. 528, § 10; 2007 , ch. 423, § 1.
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as allowing physical therapists to practice medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, chiropractic or nursing.
(b) (1) Except as provided in § 63-13-303 , the scope of practice of physical therapy is under the written or oral referral of a licensed: (A) Doctor of medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, podiatry, or osteopathy; or (B) Nurse practitioner or physician assistant pursuant to § 63-6-204(b) . (2) The scope of practice of physical therapy shall not include the performance of treatment where the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant uses direct thrust to move a joint of the patient's spine beyond its normal range of motion without exceeding the limits of anatomical integrity.
(1) Except as provided in § 63-13-303 , the scope of practice of physical therapy is under the written or oral referral of a licensed: (A) Doctor of medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, podiatry, or osteopathy; or (B) Nurse practitioner or physician assistant pursuant to § 63-6-204(b) .
(A) Doctor of medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, podiatry, or osteopathy; or
(B) Nurse practitioner or physician assistant pursuant to § 63-6-204(b) .
(2) The scope of practice of physical therapy shall not include the performance of treatment where the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant uses direct thrust to move a joint of the patient's spine beyond its normal range of motion without exceeding the limits of anatomical integrity.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 107, s 1, eff. 4/4/2023.
Acts 1999, ch. 528, § 10; 2007 , ch. 423, § 1.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-101 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-102 Legislative intent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-103 Chapter definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-104 Unauthorized practice of medicine - Scope of practice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-201 Legislative purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-201.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-202 Applicants for licensure - Qualifications - Examinations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-202.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-203 Determining qualifications of applicants - Granting licenses and permits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-203.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-204 Licenses - Issuance - Fees - Revocation - Reinstatement - Renewal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-204.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-205 Limited permits - Failure of initial examination](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-205.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-206 Supervision of an occupational therapy assistant by an occupational therapist](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-206.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-207 Delegation of tasks to unlicensed personnel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-207.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-208 Construction of part - Activities not prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-208.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-209 Denial, suspension or revocation of license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-209.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-13-210 Administrative procedure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-210.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T63_C13_S63-13-104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.