📣 Cue the confetti and 90s slow-motion sports montage music. Big things are happening in Oregon’s physical therapy world, and if you’re a PT in the Beaver State, now’s the time to pay attention. The Oregon Senate Committee on Healthcare just voted to pass the amended HB 3824B, affectionately known as the PT Modernization Act. That’s right, it cleared the committee with 4 “yes” votes and just one lonely “no.”
Here’s why this is a huge step forward for PTs in Oregon:
- ✅ Dry Needling? Approved.
- ✅ Certifying disability placards? Yup, that too.
- ✅ Alignment with the PT Model Practice Act? Getting closer.
This legislation isn’t just bureaucratic buzz. It’s a major move toward empowering physical therapists to operate more fully within their scope and better serve their patients. Think of it like getting an upgrade from VHS to DVD. (Yes, Gen Z, DVDs were once a thing.)
What Happens Next?
The bill still needs to pass a full Senate vote. And spoiler alert: the opposition isn’t going to sit this one out. So if you live, work, or even just exist in Oregon, this is your moment to act.
Here’s the easiest political action you’ll ever take:
👉 Send a pre-filled message to your senator
You just plug in your name and address, hit “submit,” and boom. Civic duty complete.
Want to personalize your message? Find your senator’s contact info right here.
Oh, and if you love watching legislative drama (the non-HBO kind), you can catch a replay of the 10-minute Senate discussion starting at the 33-minute mark in this video.
Why This Matters for Your Practice (and Your Marketing)
If this bill becomes law, Oregon PTs are stepping into a whole new era of independence. Just like our friends in Utah, who recently made PT history by recognizing physical therapists as primary care providers for neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
Haven’t heard that story? You’ll want to read about it here: Utah Just Made PT History
With new clinical responsibilities comes a need to refresh how you show up online, on calls, and in your community.
Here are a few tips to stay ahead of the curve:
1. Update Your Website and Messaging
Patients will need to understand what this new law means. If you can now perform dry needling or help with disability placards, say so clearly on your website. Think: “Now offering dry needling for pain relief. No referral required.”
2. Invest in SEO That Matches Your Expanded Role
Searches like “dry needling near me” or “disability placard physical therapy Oregon” are going to spike. Make sure your site is optimized for those keywords. Better yet, build a blog or landing page that explains the new law and how it benefits your patients.
3. Get Your Front Desk Ready
When more patients start calling with new questions, your team needs to nail the response. This is where Jet AI Call Analysis becomes your secret weapon. It helps you understand exactly how calls are being handled and shows you where your team can improve to turn more inquiries into scheduled visits.
4. Run Ads That Reflect Your New Authority
This isn’t just a scope-of-practice win. It’s a marketing win. Paid search ads that say “Now offering dry needling” or “Certified to help with disability placards” are going to land big with Oregon patients looking for help.
Bottom Line
The PT Modernization Act isn’t just another law. It’s a signal that Oregon PTs are stepping up and stepping forward. But to truly capitalize on that progress, your clinic needs to act like it.
Update your messaging. Optimize for search. Sharpen your front desk. And don’t forget, if you need help pulling any of this off, we’ve got your back (and your ACL and your rotator cuff too).
Need help making your practice marketing as modern as your scope of practice? Let’s chat.
