Physical Therapist
Help patients improve movement, manage pain, and restore function after injury, illness, or surgery through hands-on therapy and exercise.
| Median Salary | $101,020 per year |
| Job Growth (10yr) | +11%Excellent |
| Education | Doctoral Degree |
| Time to Start | 6-8 years |
Work Settings
- •Outpatient clinics and private practices
- •Hospitals (acute care and inpatient rehabilitation)
- •Home healthcare services
- •Nursing and residential care facilities
- •Schools and educational settings
- •Sports medicine facilities
- •Industrial and occupational health settings
Primary Duties
- •Conduct comprehensive patient evaluations to assess movement dysfunction, pain, and functional limitations
- •Develop evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific goals and conditions
- •Perform manual therapy techniques including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and therapeutic massage
- •Prescribe and supervise therapeutic exercises to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance
- •Apply therapeutic modalities such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, heat, and cold therapy
- •Educate patients and families about their conditions, treatment approaches, and home exercise programs
- •Document patient progress in electronic medical record systems and adjust treatment plans as needed
- •Supervise Physical Therapist Assistants and support staff in implementing treatment plans
- •Collaborate with physicians, occupational therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care
How to Become Physical Therapist
Complete bachelor's degree with prerequisites
Earn a bachelor's degree in any major while completing required prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, and psychology. Gain observation hours in various PT settings.
Duration: 48 months
Apply to DPT programs
Submit applications through PTCAS (Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service), including transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and program-specific supplemental materials.
Duration: 12 months
Complete Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program
Intensive doctoral program with 77% didactic coursework (classroom and lab) and 23% clinical education. Complete an average of 22-27 weeks of full-time supervised clinical experiences across diverse settings.
Duration: 36 months
Pass National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
Register for and pass the 250-question national board exam (scaled score of 600 required). Exam fee is $485. Results typically available within weeks of testing.
Duration: 3 months
Obtain state licensure
Apply for license in your desired state, pass state jurisprudence exam, complete background check, and submit required documentation. Processing times vary by state. Some states offer temporary permits to practice while awaiting full licensure.
Duration: 4 months
Begin professional practice
Start your career as a licensed Physical Therapist. Complete continuing education requirements for license renewal (varies by state, typically every 2 years).
Duration: 24 months
Continuing Education
Nearly all states require Physical Therapists to complete continuing education (CE) hours to maintain licensure. The specific number of required CE hours and the length of renewal cycles (typically every 2 years) vary by state, but the requirement ensures you stay current with the latest clinical advancements and maintain professional competency throughout your career. Some states mandate that a portion of CE hours cover specific topics such as ethics, jurisprudence, or emerging issues like opioid management.
Certifications & Licenses
- •State Physical Therapy License (required in all states)
- •National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) passage (required)
- •Board Certification in Clinical Specialties - Orthopedics (optional)
- •Board Certification in Clinical Specialties - Sports Physical Therapy (optional)
- •Board Certification in Clinical Specialties - Geriatrics (optional)
- •Board Certification in Clinical Specialties - Neurology (optional)
- •Board Certification in Clinical Specialties - Cardiovascular & Pulmonary (optional)
- •Board Certification in Clinical Specialties - Acute Care (optional)
Citations
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Physical Therapists ↗
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) ↗
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) ↗
- Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) ↗
- Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) ↗
- American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) ↗
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