Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist in Texas?

No. Texas has direct access, which means you can be evaluated and treated by a physical therapist without a physician's referral first.

As of September 1, 2025, state law allows a qualifying physical therapist to treat you for up to 30 consecutive calendar days without a referral. That is a significant change: the previous limit was 10 consecutive business days. If treatment needs to continue past 30 days, the therapist must obtain a referral from a referring practitioner at that point.

Not every physical therapist can treat you under direct access. Texas sets qualifying criteria covering how long the therapist has been licensed, professional liability coverage, and advanced training in differential diagnosis. Basimma Hammonds meets the state's criteria for direct access, so you can be seen at Reclaim without a referral.

State law also requires you to sign an acknowledgment before treatment begins. It says, in short, that physical therapy is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis by a physician, that a physical therapist cannot diagnose an illness or disease, that the evaluation is not based on imaging, and that your insurance may not cover care obtained this way.

One more thing worth knowing: your insurance plan may still require a referral for reimbursement even though the state does not. Reclaim is a cash-pay practice, so that particular problem does not come up here.

The simplest way to find out where you stand is to come in and ask. The in-person consultation is free, takes about 30 minutes, and you will leave knowing whether physical therapy is the right answer for your problem.

Call (512) 772-3196 or book your free consultation.

Sources: HB 4099, 89th Texas Legislature · Texas Occupations Code § 453.301