2005 West Virginia Code - §30-20-1. — Legislative findings and declaration of public policy.

§30-20-1. Legislative findings and declaration of public policy.

The Legislature of the state of West Virginia hereby determines and finds that in the public interest persons should not engage in the practice of physical therapy or act as physical therapy assistants without the requisite experience and training and without adequate regulation and control; and that it is necessary to protect the citizens of this state from the unauthorized, unqualified and unregulated practice of physical therapy. It is therefore declared to be the public policy of this state that the practice of physical therapy affects the general welfare and public interest of the state and its citizens; that persons without the necessary qualifications, training and education and persons not of good character should not engage in the practice of physical therapy or act as physical therapy assistants; and that the evils of such unauthorized and unqualified practice may be best prevented and the interests of the public best served by regulating and controlling such practice as provided in this article.