On August 23, 1965, Act No. 476 was signed establishing the "Physical Therapy Practice Act" in Alabama. The board was established when the governor appointed three physical therapists from a list of five names submitted to him by the Alabama Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Act No. 622, signed September 4, 1969, amended Act No. 476 to provide for licensing of physical therapist assistants.
It shall be the duty of the board to pass upon the qualifications of applicants for licensing as physical therapists and licensing as physical therapist assistants, to conduct examinations, to issue licenses and renewals to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants qualifying under this article and in a proper case to suspend or revoke the license of such persons. The board may adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with law as it may deem necessary for the performance of its duties.