California 20252026 Regular Session Status: Passed Assembly 1 R cosponsors

AB 2497 — Physical therapists.

Last action — Read third time. Refused passage. (Ayes 26. Noes 19. Page 5549.).

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced February 20, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 32% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed Assembly

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    2 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

This bill changes regulations for physical therapists in California, including supervision and qualifications.

The bill updates definitions related to physical therapy, allows physical therapists to supervise more assistants, and clarifies education requirements. It also allows for tissue penetration using electrode needles.

What this means for you
  • Workers: Physical therapists may have more flexibility in their practice, potentially affecting job roles and responsibilities.
  • Healthcare: For healthcare providers, this bill may change how physical therapy services are supervised and delivered.

Summary

Existing law, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, establishes the Physical Therapy Board of California to license and regulate physical therapists and the practice of physical therapy. A violation of the act is a crime. Existing law defines the terms "physical therapist," "physical therapist assistant," and "physical therapy" and sets forth the scope of practice of a physical therapist. Existing law authorizes only a licensed physical therapist to use the title "physical therapist" or the letters "P.T." or any other words, letters, or figures indicating that the person is a licensed physical therapist. Existing law requires the board to define those doctoral degrees that are in a related health science for specified provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act. Existing law authorizes a licensed physical therapist who has received a doctoral degree in physical therapy or, after the adoption of the above-described definition by the board, a doctoral degree in a related health science to, among other things, use the initials "DPT," "PhD," or "EdD", as applicable, in a written communication following the licensee's name. Existing regulations define a physical therapy related health science for the purpose of the above-described authorization to include, among other things, biology, biomechanics, and exercise physiology. This bill, among other changes to the act, would redefine "physical therapy," "physical therapist," and "physical therapist assistant" for purposes of the act, as specified. The bill would, among other things, prohibit the use of any words, abbreviation, or insignia implying that physical therapy is provided unless those services are provided by or under the direction of a licensed physical therapist. The bill would delete the requirement on the board to define the doctoral degrees that are in a related health science described above and would update those provisions to, instead, specify that the doctoral degrees in a related health science are those specified by the board in regulation. The bill would additionally authorize a licensed physical therapist who has received a doctoral degree in physical therapy or a related health science to use the initials "DSc", as applicable, following the licensee's name. This bill would delete existing requirements for the performance of tissue penetration by a physical therapist and instead would include within the practice of physical therapy the use of electrode needles to perform tissue penetration for the purpose of evaluating and interpreting performance of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Existing law prohibits a physical therapist from supervising more than 2 physical therapist assistants at one time and establishes conditions for the initiation of services by a physical therapist directly, including providing a specified notice, orally and in writing, to a patient that is signed by the patient. This bill would increase the number of physical therapist assistants a physical therapist is authorized to supervise from 2 to 3. The bill would require a physical therapist to refer a patient to a physician and surgeon or other appropriately licensed health care provider when the situation or condition of the patient is beyond the scope of the education and training of the physical therapist. The bill would repeal the notice and other requirements for the provision of direct physical therapy treatment services. Because the bill would expand the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Read third time. Refused passage. (Ayes 26. Noes 19. Page 5549.).

  2. Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading. (Page 5274.)

  3. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  4. Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

  5. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 10. Noes 2.) (May 14).

  6. In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  7. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  8. Read second time and amended.

  9. Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.

  10. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 8.) (April 21).

  11. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.

  12. Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.

  13. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.

  14. Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.

  15. Referred to Com. on B. & P.

  16. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.

  17. From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  18. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 24 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

AB 2497 Johnson Assembly Third Reading

Failed 26 Yea · 19 Nay · 35 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 18002
Democratic 719033
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 2619035
% of votes cast 33%24%0%44%
How each member voted (80)
Member Party Vote
Ávila Farías — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Nay
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Not Voting
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Not Voting
Alvarez, David Democratic Not Voting
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Not Voting
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Not Voting
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Not Voting
Bennett, Steve Democratic Not Voting
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Nay
Bonta, Mia Democratic Nay
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Not Voting
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Not Voting
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Nay
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Not Voting
Connolly, Damon Democratic Nay
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Nay
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Not Voting
Garcia, Robert Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Not Voting
González, Mark Democratic Not Voting
Haney, Matt Democratic Nay
Harabedian, John Democratic Nay
Hart, Gregg Democratic Not Voting
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Not Voting
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Not Voting
Kalra, Ash Democratic Nay
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Nay
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Not Voting
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Nay
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Nay
Ortega, Liz Democratic Nay
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Not Voting
Papan, Diane Democratic Not Voting
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Nay
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Not Voting
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Not Voting
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Not Voting
Ramos, James C. Democratic Nay
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Not Voting
Rivas, Robert Democratic Not Voting
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Not Voting
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Not Voting
Rogers, Chris Democratic Nay
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Not Voting
Schultz, Nick Democratic Not Voting
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Not Voting
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Not Voting
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Not Voting
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Nay
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Nay
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Nay
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Not Voting
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Not Voting
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Not Voting
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Yea
Ellis, Stan Republican Yea
Flora, Heath Republican Yea
Gallagher, James Republican Yea
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Yea
Hoover, Josh Republican Yea
Johnson, Natasha Republican Yea
Lackey, Tom Republican Yea
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Yea
Patterson, Joe Republican Yea
Sanchez, Kate Republican Yea
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Yea
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass as amended.

Passed 10 Yea · 2 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 3001
Democratic 7202
Total 10203
% of votes cast 67%13%0%20%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Nay
Fong, Mike Democratic Nay
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Not Voting
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Not Voting
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Yea
Hoover, Josh Republican Yea
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]

Passed 10 Yea · 8 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 5801
Republican 5000
Total 10801
% of votes cast 53%42%0%5%
How each member voted (19)
Member Party Vote
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Nay
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Nay
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Nay
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Nay
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Nay
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Nay
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Nay
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Nay
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Not Voting
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Yea
Johnson, Natasha Republican Yea
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

finance healthcare labor
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 2497 do?
Existing law, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, establishes the Physical Therapy Board of California to license and regulate physical therapists and the practice of physical therapy. A violation of the act is a crime. Existing law defines the terms "physical therapist," "physical therapist assistant," and "physical therapy" and sets forth the scope of practice of a physical therapist. Existing law authorizes only a licensed physical therapist to use the title "physical therapist" or the letters "P.T." or any other words, letters, or figures indicating that the person is a licensed physical therapist. Existing law requires the board to define those doctoral degrees that are in a related health science for specified provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act. Existing law authorizes a licensed physical therapist who has received a doctoral degree in physical therapy or, after the adoption of the above-described definition by the board, a doctoral degree in a related health science to, among other things, use the initials "DPT," "PhD," or "EdD", as applicable, in a written communication following the licensee's name. Existing regulations define a physical therapy related health science for the purpose of the above-described authorization to include, among other things, biology, biomechanics, and exercise physiology. This bill, among other changes to the act, would redefine "physical therapy," "physical therapist," and "physical therapist assistant" for purposes of the act, as specified. The bill would, among other things, prohibit the use of any words, abbreviation, or insignia implying that physical therapy is provided unless those services are provided by or under the direction of a licensed physical therapist. The bill would delete the requirement on the board to define the doctoral degrees that are in a related health science described above and would update those provisions to, instead, specify that the doctoral degrees in a related health science are those specified by the board in regulation. The bill would additionally authorize a licensed physical therapist who has received a doctoral degree in physical therapy or a related health science to use the initials "DSc", as applicable, following the licensee's name. This bill would delete existing requirements for the performance of tissue penetration by a physical therapist and instead would include within the practice of physical therapy the use of electrode needles to perform tissue penetration for the purpose of evaluating and interpreting performance of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Existing law prohibits a physical therapist from supervising more than 2 physical therapist assistants at one time and establishes conditions for the initiation of services by a physical therapist directly, including providing a specified notice, orally and in writing, to a patient that is signed by the patient. This bill would increase the number of physical therapist assistants a physical therapist is authorized to supervise from 2 to 3. The bill would require a physical therapist to refer a patient to a physician and surgeon or other appropriately licensed health care provider when the situation or condition of the patient is beyond the scope of the education and training of the physical therapist. The bill would repeal the notice and other requirements for the provision of direct physical therapy treatment services. Because the bill would expand the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Who sponsors AB 2497?
AB 2497 is sponsored by Johnson, Natasha (Republican).
What is the current status of AB 2497?
This bill has passed the Assembly. Introduced February 20, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track AB 2497?
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