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HRS §461J-2

Who can call themselves a physical therapist

You must have a Hawaii license to work as, advertise as, or use the title of physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Unlicensed people cannot use related titles or letters like PT or PTA. Practice must follow board rules.

everyone

The statute, as written — Practice of physical therapy; qualifications

(a) No person shall practice physical therapy gratuitously or for pay, offer to practice physical therapy, offer physical therapy or physical therapy services, or represent, advertise, or announce, either publicly or privately, that the person is a physical therapist or physiotherapist, unless the person is appropriately licensed under this chapter. (b) No person shall use, in connection with the person's name or business, the words "licensed physical therapist", "physical therapist", or "physiotherapist", or the letters "RPT", "LPT", "DPT", "PT", or any other words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying that the person is a physical therapist, unless the person is appropriately licensed as a physical therapist under this chapter. (c) No person shall use the title "physical therapist assistant", the letters "PTA", or any other words, abbreviations, or insignia in connection with that person's name to indicate or imply, directly or indirectly, that the person is a physical therapist assistant unless that person is appropriately licensed as a physical therapist assistant under this chapter. (d) No person shall practice as a physical therapist or as a physical therapist assistant, except as licensed pursuant to this chapter and under the administrative rules determined by the board in accordance with chapter 91.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.