This comprehensive online text-based home study course equips Georgia licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants with a thorough understanding of both the ethical foundations governing professional practice and the Georgia-specific laws, regulations, and statutory requirements that define the legal boundaries of that practice. Drawing on the landmark 2026 APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession, current Georgia Practice Act provisions, and emerging issues, including artificial intelligence and social media, this course provides the knowledge and analytical frameworks necessary to practice with integrity, accountability, and confidence.
The Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy will only accept ethics and jurisprudence courses approved by the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia (PTAG) and by colleges and universities with CAPTE-accredited programs (refer to Board Rule 490-4-.02(2)(a).
On Demand
Course Type: Text/Transcript
CEUs/Hours Offered: AK/4.0; AL/4.0; AR/4.0; AZ/4.0; CA/4.0; CO/4.0; CT/4.0; DC/4.0; DE/4.0; FL/4.0; GA/4.0; HI/4.0; IA/4.0; IACET/0.4; ID/4.0; IL/4.0; IN/4.0; KS/4.0; KY/4.0; MA/4.0; MD/4.0; ME/4.0; MI/4.0; MO/4.0; MS/4.0; MT/4.0; NC/4.0; ND/4.0; NE/4.0; NH/4.0; NY/4.0; OK/4.0; OR/4.0; PA/4.0; RI/4.0; SC/4.0; SD/4.0; TX/4.0; UT/4.0; VA/4.0; VT/4.0; WA/4.0; WI/4.0; WY/4.0
Learning Outcomes
- After this course, participants will be able to define ethics and distinguish it from law and professional standards, and identify core ethical principles and theories relevant to physical therapy practice.
- After this course, participants will be able to describe the nine ethical commitments, six foundational ethical principles, and enforceable standards of conduct outlined in the new APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession (effective January 1, 2026).
- After this course, participants will be able to recognize and describe both established and emerging ethical and legal issues in physical therapy practice, including HIPAA, malpractice, licensure, supervision, disciplinary action, fraud and abuse, social media, artificial intelligence, moral distress, and care of aging and pediatric populations.
- After this course, participants will be able to apply the RIPS Model of Ethical Decision-Making to analyze clinical ethical dilemmas through case study examples.
- After this course, participants will be able to identify proactive strategies and key resources to avoid ethical violations in practice.
- After this course, participants will be able to identify at least two sources of law that govern physical therapy practice in Georgia.
- After this course, participants will be able to discuss the clinical scope of practice for PTs and PTAs licensed in Georgia by reviewing the Georgia State Practice Act.
- After this course, participants will be able to list at least three continuing competency requirements for PTs and PTAs licensed in Georgia.
- After this course, the participant will be able to identify at least 2 regulations governing the practice of physical therapy in Georgia.
- After this course, the participant will be able to describe at least two roles of the Board of Physical Therapy in the practice of physical therapy in Georgia
- After this course, the participant will be able to navigate the board's website, including its policy statements and FAQs.
Course created on March 31, 2026
Agenda
| 0-15 Minutes | Learning outcomes, Introduction to ethics and physical therapy |
| 15-30 Minutes | Foundational Ethical Principles in Physical Therapy Practice and Ethical Theories: Frameworks for Moral Reasoning |
| 30-60 Minutes | The APTA Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession |
| 60-85 Minutes | Common Ethical and Legal Issues in Physical Therapy Practice and Emerging Ethical Issues in Physical Therapy Practice |
| 85-110 Minutes | RIPS Model of Ethical Decision Making and Case Studies |
| 110-120 Minutes | Proactive strategies, Resources and Conclusion |
| 120-125 Minutes | Overview of physical therapy and the law |
| 125-195 Minutes | Georgia Physical Therapy Practice Act O.C.G.A. 43-33 (Article 1 and Article 2) |
| 195-215 Minutes | Georgia General Provisions 43-1 through 43-1-35 (Title 43, Chapter 33, Article 1) |
| 215-230 Minutes | Physical Therapy Board Rules; Chapter 490 |
| 230-240 Minutes | Board Policy Statements, Review of GSBPT website navigation, Proposed Rules, Guidance on CE Broker Board website, and FAQs |
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Presented By
Calista Kelly
PT, DPT, ACEEAA, Cert. MDT
Senior Strategic Content Developer
Calista holds a master’s degree in physical therapy from St. Ambrose University and a doctorate degree (DPT) from the University of Mississippi. She obtained a credentialing certificate from the McKenzie Institute in 2011 and the CEEAA credential in 2014 from the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, an affiliate of the American Physical Therapy Association. In 2019, she completed the requirements for the Advanced Credentialed Exercise Expert for Aging Adults (ACEEAA) through the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. Calista has been licensed as a physical therapist since 2001 and has worked as a clinician in a variety of settings, including ICU, outpatient orthopedics/sports medicine, neuro, SNF/LTC, LTACH, wound care, home health, and pediatrics. Her practice interests are spine care, jurisprudence, orthopedics, acute care, wound care, and temporomandibular disorders.
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Financial: Calista Kelly is employed by Continued.com.
Non-Financial: Calista Kelly has no non-financial disclosures.
Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is presented by PhysicalTherapy.com, a Continued site.
Content Disclosure: This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Course participation information
To ensure you are ready to participate, please complete our short Test Drive to prepare your computer to view the course.
NOTE: Full attendance for all courses is mandatory. For self-study courses, this includes reading the full text, listening to the full audio recording, or watching the complete video, as appropriate for the format of the course.
Passing an online exam and completing a course evaluation will be required to earn continuing education credit.
Live Webinars allow presenter and participant interaction. The exam and course evaluation for these courses must be completed within 7 days of the event.
On-demand courses include texts, video and audio recordings of live webinars, and multimedia formats. The exam and course evaluation for on-demand courses must be completed within 30 days of course registration.
To participate in the course, complete the exam and course evaluation, and earn continuing education credit, you must be a PhysicalTherapy.com member. Participants must complete the entire course; partial credit is not allowed.
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Visit our Contact us page or give us a call if you have questions.
California
PhysicalTherapy.com is a recognized continuing competency approval agency for the Physical Therapy Board of California. This course is offered for 4.00 hours of continuing competency.
CE Broker
PhysicalTherapy.com is approved to report to CE Broker for PTs and PTAs licensed in the states of AR, AZ, FL, GA, KS, MI, MS, ND, NV, OK, SC and TN, and ATs licensed in the states of AZ, KS, LA, MI, TN, and WI. CE Provider #: 50-14089. If you are a PT/PTA or AT in one of these states, CE Broker may be of interest to you.
Washington D.C.
The District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (Board) has established that PhysicalTherapy.com is an approved continuing education provider for DC physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Licensees must adhere to all other continuing education regulations of the Board, including those related to online courses and content.
Physical Therapy Association of Georgia
This course is approved for 4.00 hours (Intermediate level) by the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia (PTAG).
International Association for Continuing Education and Training
continued, LLC, DBA PhysicalTherapy.com, is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). continued complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, continued is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. continued, LLC, is authorized by IACET to offer 0.40 CEUs for this program.
IL Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor
PhysicalTherapy.com is approved by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation as a sponsor of continuing education for PTs/PTAs (Sponsor License #216000252). This course is offered for 4.00 hours (Intermediate level).
New York
PhysicalTherapy.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education.
Oklahoma
PhysicalTherapy.com is an Approved Provider by the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision for Physical Therapists, PT CE Provider BAP202310006. This course is offered for 4.00 hours of continuing education for Oklahoma PTs/PTAs.
Texas Physical Therapy Association
This course is offered for 4.00 hours (Intermediate level) by the Texas Physical Therapy Association. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE. The Texas Physical Therapy Association (TPTA) administers the CCAP on behalf of the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Provider #2706033TX).
We recognize that state CE requirements are constantly changing. If you have any questions regarding our courses and your state requirements, please contact us at 866-782-6258 or contact Customer Service.