Which type of professional is NOT allowed to use physical agents for treatment according to exemptions?

The correct answer highlights that recreational therapists are not permitted to use physical agents for treatment under the exemptions established in Florida law. This distinction is important because physical agents, such as heat, cold, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound, are specific interventions that require specialized training and licensure provided primarily to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

Chiropractors, medical doctors, and registered nurses are recognized within their respective scopes of practice as having the authority to utilize physical agents given their training and licensure. Each of these professions provides clinical care that may involve the application of physical modalities to aid in recovery or rehabilitation.

Recreational therapists, while essential for promoting health through recreational activities and interventions focused on improving patients’ quality of life, do not typically receive training that encompasses the therapeutic use of physical agents in the same way that physical therapists do. Thus, they are not included in the exemptions for using physical agents for treatment. This clarity underscores the significance of professional scope of practice and the importance of appropriate training in ensuring safe and effective patient care.