How to become a physical therapist

If you’ve ever been injured, chances are that you have paid a visit to a physical therapist. PTs – more accurately known as doctors of physical therapy – are medical professionals that understand the mechanics of injury, recovery, and physical disability.

While physical therapists must spend many years in school before getting licensed, they go on to earn good salaries – which are on average 74.7% higher than the national median for people with just a bachelor’s degree.

For all of you wondering how to become a physical therapist, we lay out a clear roadmap for reaching your goal, helping you navigate college, PT school, and licensing. Below are 5 clear steps to becoming a physical therapist.

Physical therapists adopt a combination of hands-on therapy, stretching, workouts, and repeated visits to heal injuries and strengthen joints and muscles to prevent relapse. PTs work closely with other healthcare professionals involved with the patient to create continuity of care, which is critical in overall health.

The exact nature of an individual physical therapist’s job determines their specific duties. In general, most PTs work one-on-one with individual patients. After reviewing the patient’s record, PTs diagnose the issue and prescribe exercises, or other treatments, to promote recovery.

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Physical therapists work in a range of settings. Some practice in hospitals – both public and private – while others work in clinics, either as sole practitioners or in tandem with other doctors. Nursing homes, schools and athletic facilities also commonly employ physical therapists. Some PTs even pay visits to patients’ homes.

How long does it take to become a physical therapist?

Full-time students can complete their physical therapist education in 7 years. Shortly after graduating, they also need to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination for licensure.

Step 1 – Get an undergraduate degree

About 4 years

The first step to becoming a PT is to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year institution.

Preferably, your undergraduate major will be related to biology, exercise science, kinesiology, or psychology. If not, you may need to take postbaccalaureate classes before applying for the doctorate program. To avoid this happening, check the prerequisites of the PT doctorate programs you’re considering. The earlier you do this, the better.

It’s wise to start accruing prerequisite classes in the following subjects:

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics
• Psychology
• Anatomy
• Statistics

Getting volunteer experience as an undergrad is also recommended. Although an internship is not required to get into PT school, accruing some work experience in college can make you a more attractive candidate when applying to doctoral program.

Step 2 – Apply for a DPT program

During undergrad

To apply for a DPT program, you will need to submit your college transcripts and letters of recommendation. You may also be required to provide other paperwork, like a criminal background check.

The majority of DPT programs require you to take the GRE. Note that PT school is not the same as med school – so the MCAT will not be accepted.

Most – but not all DPT programs – make use of the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), which allows you to apply to several DPT programs at once. If you want to attend a school that does not participate in PTCAS, you will have to apply for it individually.

Make sure that the DPT program you choose is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), otherwise your credentials may not be recognized by employers.

Step 3 – Complete a DPT program

About 3 years

Earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy is the most important step in becoming a PT. The doctoral program is typically completed in 3 years by full-time students. There is the option to specialize, with some students deciding to focus on pediatrics, geriatrics, athletes, or the cardiovascular or musculoskeletal systems.

Whether students specialize or not, the basic curriculum typically includes courses in:

• Human anatomy
• Kinesiology and exercise
• Clinical education
• Specific types of physical therapy
• PT by age
• Neurobiology

The first year of the program covers all the basics of physical therapy. In addition, beginning in the first year, clinical rotations take place in a medical setting. Under supervision, students treat patients by implementing what they have been taught in class.

The second year dives deeper into specific types of injury, trauma, or neurological disorders.

The third year focuses on leadership and solidifies what has been learned in the preceding 2 years.

To accommodate students who prefer flexibility, non-clinical courses are sometimes available online.

Step 4 – Pass the NPTE and get licensed

Several months

A license is necessary to practice as a physical therapist. In addition to earning the DPT, graduates need to successfully pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The pass score is a minimum of 600, and you can retake the exam if needed. Program advisors can provide guidance on the best resources to study for the NPTE.

Licensing requirements differ from state to state, so it’s important to check with your specific state’s physical therapy board to find out what is required. Typically, all you need is proof that you have completed your program and passed the NPTE, plus some additional paperwork.

Step 5 – Complete a residency or fellowship (optional)

Unlike for doctors, residencies and fellowships are not required to become a PT, although they might help you get a better job.

Residency or fellowship is a postgraduate period in which you work for a hospital or clinic under a licensed physical therapist. This is a paid position.

Step 6 – Get certified (optional)

The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers 9 optional certifications. To apply, you need to demonstrate work in that specialty, such as pediatrics, oncology, or neurology. That means certification happens after several years in the field, not upfront.

These certifications may lead to higher-paid or more interesting positions.

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Kinesiologist vs Physical therapist vs occupational therapist

Physical therapy, kinesiology, and occupational therapy are fields that sometimes get confused. While all 3 fields are closely related, the terms are not interchangeable.

Kinesiologist vs Physical therapist

While PTs focus on helping patients recover from injuries, Kinesiologists are more concerned with human movement, exercise, and physical activity. Unlike physical therapists, kinesiologists only need a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Kinesiologists may work in sports performance, fitness and exercise, or ergonomic research. While they can develop exercise programs, they cannot issue diagnoses or treat patients with serious physical ailments.

Physical therapist vs occupational therapist

Occupational therapists focus on helping patients develop skills for daily living, improving their ability to perform tasks such as dressing, cooking, and using the bathroom.

OTs commonly assist individuals with physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges that affect their daily living skills. This makes occupational therapy a more holistic field than physical therapy – which is more concerned with injury recovery.

An OT can work in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, mental health facilities, and community health centers.

Alternative jobs for physical therapists

If you fear that being a physical therapist may not be for you, but are still interested in a similar career, we have compiled some alternative jobs for physical therapists below.

Average physical therapist salary and job demand

Like medical doctors, physical therapists are well paid and well respected. The average salary of a physical therapist is $95,620 a year or $45.97 an hour. The predicted growth rate for jobs between 2021 and 2031 is 17%. That’s a much faster rate than average, which is a huge boon for people looking to get into the field.