Understanding Your Obligation: The New APTA Code of Ethics

Effective January 1, 2026

On July 14, 2025, the APTA House of Delegates officially adopted the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession, marking the most significant revision to our professional ethics standards in over 15 years. This updated Code combines the former Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant into one comprehensive document. Whether you are a seasoned clinician, new graduate, or PTA, understanding this document is not optional: it is foundational to your professional identity and practice.

Why Every PT and PTA Must Know the Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics is more than a policy document filed away on the APTA website. It represents the moral compass of our profession and carries real consequences for your career and your patients. Here is why understanding it matters:

Professional Accountability. The Code establishes enforceable Standards of Conduct that APTA uses to assess whether members have engaged in unethical behavior. Regulators, licensing boards, employers, and the courts may reference these standards when evaluating professional conduct. Ignorance of the Code does not exempt you from its requirements.

Patient Protection. Our ethical obligations exist to protect the people we serve. The Code articulates our fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of patients and clients. Every clinical decision you make, from informed consent to discharge planning, has ethical dimensions that the Code helps you navigate.

Public Trust. Physical therapists consistently rank among the most trusted professionals in healthcare. That trust is not automatic; it must be earned and maintained through consistent ethical conduct. The Code provides the framework that justifies public confidence in our profession.

Professional Development. Ethical practice is not a destination but a journey. The Code provides guidance for navigating complex situations where the right course of action may not be immediately clear. It encourages you to seek mentorship and consultation when facing ethical challenges.

What Changed: Key Differences from the Previous Code

The new Code represents a substantial restructuring and modernization of our ethical framework. Here are the most important changes:

One Unified Document for the Entire Profession

The previous framework maintained separate documents for physical therapists (Code of Ethics with eight Principles) and physical therapist assistants (Standards of Ethical Conduct with eight Standards). The new Code unifies these into a single document that applies to all members of the physical therapy profession, reinforcing that PTs and PTAs share fundamental ethical obligations while acknowledging their distinct roles.

Nine Ethical Commitments Replace Eight Principles

The new structure is built around nine Ethical Commitments:

1. Respect - Respecting the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals
2. Integrity - Acting with professional integrity and fulfilling legal and ethical obligations
3. Accountability - Making sound professional judgments within scope of practice
4. Maintaining Professional Relationships - Respecting boundaries to promote a safe environment
5. Compassion and Trust - Being trustworthy and compassionate in addressing patient needs
6. Responsible Business and Organizational Practices - Promoting accountable and truthful organizational behaviors
7. Direction and Supervision - Providing appropriate direction and communication with supervisees
8. Professional Expertise - Enhancing expertise through career-long learning
9. Societal Responsibility - Participating in efforts to meet health needs locally, nationally, and globally

Dual-Purpose Framework: Enforceable Standards and Aspirational Examples

A significant innovation in the new Code is its explicit two-tier structure. Each Ethical Commitment includes both enforceable Standards of Conduct (which APTA can use as the basis for disciplinary action) and Aspirational Illustrative Examples (which guide professionals toward ethical excellence without serving as grounds for sanctions). This distinction clarifies expectations while still encouraging us to aim higher than the minimum requirements.

Explicit Foundation in Ethical Principles

The new Code explicitly anchors our commitments in six foundational ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, veracity, and fidelity. This alignment with widely recognized bioethical principles strengthens the philosophical foundation of our professional ethics.

Addressing Emerging Technologies

The updated Code directly addresses contemporary challenges including social media use and artificial intelligence. Standard 3.D calls on PTs and PTAs to be accountable for the accuracy and truthfulness of information they disseminate, including through emerging technologies. Similarly, Standard 5.C addresses professional responsibility when information is shared using current and emerging technologies. These additions acknowledge that ethical practice in 2026 looks different than it did in 2010.

Enhanced Focus on Direction and Supervision

The inclusion of "Direction and Supervision" as a distinct Ethical Commitment (rather than embedding it within other principles) emphasizes the critical importance of appropriate supervisory relationships. This change reflects the profession's commitment to patient safety through proper delegation and oversight.

Implementation Timeline

The Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession became effective on January 1, 2026. For complaints regarding alleged violations:

• Conduct occurring on or after January 1, 2026 will be assessed under the new Code
• Conduct occurring prior to January 1, 2026 may continue to be evaluated under the previous Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist or Standards of Ethical Conduct for the PTA through December 31, 2027

Download the New Code and Access Additional Resources

The complete Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession is available for download from APTA:

Download the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

Additional resources:

• Learn about standards for ethics and professionalism in physical therapy (opens in a new tab), as well as related APTA policies
• Learn how to file a complaint and review APTA's updated Disciplinary Action Procedural Document (opens in a new tab)
• Listen to the APTA Podcast episode "What to Know About the New Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapy Profession," featuring members of the APTA Ethics and Judicial Committee

Your Next Step

Reading the Code once is not enough. Schedule time to review it thoroughly. Discuss it with colleagues. Identify the sections most relevant to your practice setting. Consider how the Standards of Conduct apply to the ethical challenges you encounter regularly. Use the Aspirational Illustrative Examples to push yourself beyond minimum compliance toward true ethical excellence.

The Code of Ethics does not tell us what decision to make in every situation. Rather, it provides a framework for ethical decision-making that we must apply thoughtfully to the unique circumstances we face. Our patients, our colleagues, and our profession deserve nothing less.

Questions about the new Code of Ethics can be directed to APTA at ejc@apta.org