What is true about PT aides?

• A. They are non-licensed personnel and may be restricted by state law from performing treatment procedures
• B. They can write discharge plans without supervision
• C. They hold full licensure similar to PTs
• D. They can independently perform evaluations

Answer: (A)

PT aides are unlicensed personnel who work under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist or physical therapy assistant. Because they don’t have professional licensure, their activities are limited by state practice acts and must stay within what is permitted under supervision. They cannot independently perform treatment procedures or make clinical decisions—that authority rests with licensed therapists. This is why the true statement is that they are non-licensed personnel and may be restricted by state law from performing treatment procedures.

In practice, aides help with tasks that support the plan of care—setting up equipment, assisting patients with exercises under direction, transporting patients, and handling routine data collection—while the licensed clinician retains responsibility for evaluation, plan development, and discharge decisions. Writing discharge plans and conducting evaluations require professional judgment and licensure, so those roles aren’t within the scope of an aide.