As the population ages, the demand for different kinds of medical professionals keeps growing stronger. There are many factors to consider when setting career goals in this broad area. Different positions come with different expectations for the skill set, education and experience you’ll need. The role you choose will also determine the average salary you can expect, the level of supervision required and the settings in which you’ll be able to work. These are just a few examples.

A career in physical therapy comes with a lot of freedom to choose the patient population, body systems or treatment modalities you want to work with. The average salary is competitive, and demand for physical therapists is expected to grow by 15% through 2032. Physical therapists work with very little supervision, though more supervision is required for physical therapist assistants (PTAs). PTs can work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to private clinics, skilled nursing facilities and patients’ homes.

This article outlines the education requirements you’ll need to pursue a career in physical therapy.

What education is required to be a physical therapist?

To practice physical therapy in the United States, you’ll need to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). Most three-year DPT programs require new students to have four years of college-level coursework or a bachelor’s degree. Some states may have other education requirements for physical therapists. To maintain licensure, you’ll also need to take a certain number of continuing education credits every year. This is determined by your state licensing board. 

Within the field of physical therapy, you can also decide to be a PTA, pursue board certification in a specialty area and gain a subspecialty by participating in a fellowship program. The education requirements for these career paths are slightly different.

DPT program prerequisites

Each DPT program has its own education requirements for new students. As mentioned above, most will require applicants to complete four years of college-level coursework or a bachelor’s degree within seven to 10 years before beginning the program. They may also require you to maintain a certain grade point average during that time. Some will have specific course prerequisites or prioritize applicants with volunteer experience. Colleges and universities will require you to submit transcripts as part of your application.

Other application materials you may need include an essay or personal statement and letters of recommendation. Many schools will also interview applicants and require you to pass a criminal background check. Some will ask about specific skills and abilities, and some require applicants to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

DPT programs often require new students to have college credits in the following areas:

• Anatomy 
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Humanities or social sciences
• Physics
• Physiology 
• Psychology
• Statistics

Doctor of Physical Therapy degree

Virtually all U.S. states require physical therapists to earn a DPT from a program that’s accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Programs include advanced coursework on systems in the human body, evidence-based physical therapy practices, ethics and responsibility, and other topics, as well as a clinical residency. This is a hands-on learning experience where students receive training and mentorship in a clinical setting like a hospital or a private physical therapy practice. Some residencies complement clinical experience with research, traditional classwork and testing.

DPT coursework may include the following topics:

• Advocacy 
• Behavioral sciences
• Biomechanics
• Cellular histology
• Clinical reasoning 
• Communication
• Core values 
• Exercise physiology 
• Finance
• Kinesiology
• Management of care delivery 
• Pathology
• Patient or client management models 
• Pharmacology
• Practice management 
• Prevention, wellness and health promotion
• Sociology

National Physical Therapy Exam

The National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). According to the FSBPT website, this exam serves “to help ensure that only those individuals who have the requisite knowledge of physical therapy are licensed in the physical therapy field” and “to help regulatory authorities evaluate candidates and provide standards that are comparable from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.” 

Prospective PTs must take the NPTE at a designated testing center. It has 250 questions and takes about five hours to complete. You’ll need to store your personal belongings in a locker while you’re taking the test. You won’t need to retake the NPTE to maintain licensure. If your state has a jurisprudence exam, you may have to retake it before your license expires. A jurisprudence exam covers the laws and statutes that apply to physical therapy practice in your state.

Continuing education

Continuing education units (CEUs) or continuing competence credits are courses that physical therapists take to maintain licensure. This helps ensure that they have some knowledge about recent developments in the field of physical therapy and advances in treatment modalities, care delivery and management practices. Each state requires PTs to earn a certain number of CEUs during each licensing period. 

These courses cover material that’s similar to the coursework in DPT programs. There are a number of different organizations that provide accreditation for continuing education courses, and each state has different requirements for CEU accreditation. 

Alternate career paths in physical therapy

There are some other educational options to consider in the field of physical therapy. To be a physical therapist assistant (PTA), you only need a two-year associate’s degree. This is considered a terminal degree, because only about 10% of PTAs go on to pursue careers as physical therapists. In 2023, the ratio of students enrolled in PTA programs to those enrolled in DPT programs was about 10:4. Physical therapist assistants have more direct supervision on the job; PTs are more independent. Physical therapists make more money than PTAs, but the career outlook for both is very strong.

One way to challenge yourself in your PT career while earning some extra money is to pursue board certification in a specialty area. To become a board-certified specialist in a specific area such as pediatrics or sports physical therapy, you’ll need all the same educational requirements and some experience in your chosen specialty. You’ll also need to apply with the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) and pass a board certification test. Some specialty areas have additional requirements. 

There are other certifications you can pursue as a physical therapist. For instance, a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (COMT) will help you earn more money and make you more competitive. We have over 30 fully certified COMTs on our staff at Lattimore Physical Therapy.

Finally, you can gain a higher level of expertise or a subspecialty by participating in a fellowship program. You need to be a board-certified specialist to apply to these programs, which are accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE). 

Explore physical therapy career opportunities at Lattimore PT

Are you looking for experience in a private physical therapy clinic? Consider joining our team at Lattimore PT. We take care of our staff and empower them to take a “hands-on” approach for the best treatment outcomes. Wherever you are in your physical therapy career, Lattimore PT may be the supportive and growth-oriented environment you need to get to your next level.

We have about 30 locations in New York state. If you’re looking for opportunities right now, send us your information. We’d love to keep you in mind next time we have an open position.