Sec. 605.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Advisory board" means the Orthotists and Prosthetists Advisory Board.

(2) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation.

(3) "Custom-fabricated" means an orthosis or prosthesis designed, prescribed, fabricated, fitted, and aligned for a specific individual in accordance with sound biomechanical principles.

(4) "Custom-fitted" means an orthosis or prosthesis adjusted, prescribed, fitted, and aligned for a specific individual in accordance with sound biomechanical principles.

(5) "Department" means the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

(5-a) "Executive director" means the executive director of the department.

(6) "Licensed orthotist" or "LO" means a person licensed under this chapter who practices orthotics and represents the person to the public by a title or description of services that includes the term "orthotics," "orthotist," "brace," "orthoses," "orthotic," or a similar title or description of services.

(7) "Licensed orthotist assistant" or "LOA" means a person licensed under this chapter who assists at an orthotic or prosthetic facility and is under the supervision of a licensed orthotist responsible for the acts of the assistant.

(8) "Licensed prosthetist" or "LP" means a person licensed under this chapter who practices prosthetics and represents the person to the public by a title or description of services that includes the term "prosthetics," "prosthetist," "prostheses," "prosthetic," "artificial limb," or a similar title or description of services.

(9) "Licensed prosthetist assistant" or "LPA" means a person licensed under this chapter who assists at an orthotic or prosthetic facility and is under the supervision of a licensed prosthetist responsible for the acts of the assistant.

(10) "Licensed prosthetist orthotist" or "LPO" means a person licensed under this chapter who practices both orthotics and prosthetics and represents the person to the public by a title or description of services that includes the terms "prosthetics orthotics," "prosthetist orthotist," "prosthetic orthotic," "artificial limb," "brace," or a similar title or description of services.

(11) "Licensed prosthetist orthotist assistant" or "LPOA" means a person licensed under this chapter who assists at an orthotic or prosthetic facility and is under the supervision of a licensed prosthetist orthotist or a licensed prosthetist and licensed orthotist responsible for the acts of the assistant.

(12) "Orthosis" means a custom-fabricated or custom-fitted medical device designed to provide for the support, alignment, prevention, or correction of a neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disease, injury, or deformity. The term does not include a fabric or elastic support, corset, arch support, low-temperature plastic splint, truss, elastic hose, cane, crutch, soft cervical collar, orthosis for diagnostic or evaluation purposes, dental appliance, or any other similar device carried in stock and sold by a drugstore, department store, or corset shop.

(13) "Orthotic or prosthetic facility" means a location, including a building or office, where the profession and practice of orthotics or prosthetics normally takes place.

(14) "Orthotics" means the science and practice of measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing an orthosis under an order from a licensed physician, chiropractor, or podiatrist, or an advanced practice nurse or physician assistant acting under the delegation and supervision of a licensed physician as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 157, and rules adopted by the Texas Medical Board, for the correction or alleviation of a neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity.

(15) "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or other organization.

(16) "Profession of orthotics or prosthetics" means allied health care medical services used to identify, prevent, correct, or alleviate acute or chronic neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunctions of the human body that support and provide rehabilitative health care services concerned with the restoration of function, prevention, or progression of disabilities resulting from disease, injury, or congenital anomalies. Orthotic and prosthetic services include direct patient care, including consultation, evaluation, treatment, education, and advice to maximize the rehabilitation potential of disabled individuals.

(17) "Prosthesis" means a custom-fabricated or custom-fitted medical device used to replace a missing limb, appendage, or other external human body part but that is not surgically implanted. The term includes an artificial limb, hand, or foot. The term does not include:

(A) an artificial eye, ear, finger, or toe;

(B) a dental appliance;

(C) a cosmetic device, including an artificial breast, eyelash, or wig; or

(D) another device that does not have a significant impact on the musculoskeletal functions of the body.

(18) "Prosthetics" means the science and practice of measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing a prosthesis under an order from a licensed physician, chiropractor, or podiatrist, or an advanced practice nurse or physician assistant acting under the delegation and supervision of a licensed physician as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 157, and rules adopted by the Texas Medical Board.

(19) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1144 (H.B. 2847), Sec. 11.001(1), eff. September 1, 2019.

(20) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1144 (H.B. 2847), Sec. 11.001(1), eff. September 1, 2019.

(21) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1144 (H.B. 2847), Sec. 11.001(1), eff. September 1, 2019.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 545 (H.B. 2703), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 5.209, eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 5.318(10), eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 838 (S.B. 202), Sec. 1.166, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1144 (H.B. 2847), Sec. 11.001(1), eff. September 1, 2019.