Suzie loves researching, interviewing experts and breaking down complex information into understandable and actionable advice to help others improve their lives. Based in Denver, Suzie and her husband are parents to a 14-year-old boy, a 12-year-old g.
Suzie Glassman Education WriterSuzie loves researching, interviewing experts and breaking down complex information into understandable and actionable advice to help others improve their lives. Based in Denver, Suzie and her husband are parents to a 14-year-old boy, a 12-year-old g.
Written By Suzie Glassman Education WriterSuzie loves researching, interviewing experts and breaking down complex information into understandable and actionable advice to help others improve their lives. Based in Denver, Suzie and her husband are parents to a 14-year-old boy, a 12-year-old g.
Suzie Glassman Education WriterSuzie loves researching, interviewing experts and breaking down complex information into understandable and actionable advice to help others improve their lives. Based in Denver, Suzie and her husband are parents to a 14-year-old boy, a 12-year-old g.
Education Writer Ilana Hamilton Update Editor, EducationWith five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learn.
Ilana Hamilton Update Editor, EducationWith five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learn.
Ilana Hamilton Update Editor, EducationWith five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learn.
Ilana Hamilton Update Editor, EducationWith five years of experience as a writer and editor in the higher education and career development space, Ilana has a passion for creating accessible, relevant content that demystifies the higher-ed landscape for traditional and nontraditional learn.
| Update Editor, Education
Updated: Jul 3, 2024, 10:37am
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If you’d enjoy a rewarding career in healthcare and you’re passionate about helping others live to their fullest potential, perhaps it’s time to consider becoming a physical therapist. As a physical therapist, you can help your patients improve bodily function, prevent or recover from injuries, and reduce pain.
Physical therapists are in high demand and often earn more than professionals in comparable roles, such as occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, audiologists and physical therapy assistants.
The best physical therapists tend to be great communicators who enjoy educating, treating and working with a wide variety of individuals. If that sounds like you, keep reading to learn how to become a physical therapist, including education, training and licensure. We’ll also cover how long it takes to start your physical therapy career and overview specialization options in the field.
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Physical therapists are highly trained professionals who work with injured or ill people of all ages to help their bodies move better. Physical therapists must complete a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) and pass a national licensing exam to practice in the United States.
Through careful analysis, observation and consultation with patients’ healthcare teams, physical therapists design treatment plans that include guided exercise and hands-on therapy.
Physical therapists’ goal is to help patients manage pain, recover from injury and prevent further injury.
Some physical therapists work exclusively with athletes, while others specialize in treating patients with certain medical conditions or issues related to gender or age. Work opportunities for physical therapists vary from long-established therapeutic fields to emerging healthcare practices.
Physical therapists are doctors who work in many healthcare and athletic settings. They collaborate with professionals like physical therapy assistants, nurses and social workers, as well as with medical doctors such as surgeons and sports medicine specialists.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), offices and clinics are the most common workplaces for physical therapists. Next come hospitals, followed by home health settings and nursing and residential facilities.
A physical therapist’s job is physically demanding, often requiring therapists to lift patients or stand on their feet all day. Physical therapists should use proper lifting techniques and take care not to injure themselves.
Becoming a physical therapist usually takes six or seven years. You’ll have to complete a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years, before earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy, which usually takes another three years.
Some accelerated physical therapy programs offer three years of undergraduate or pre-professional courses followed by a three-year DPT program.
Deciding to become a physical therapist requires a substantial investment of time, money and energy. Physical therapists work one-on-one with patients who are often experiencing challenges in their lives or careers. These professionals should be passionate about what they do and abide by a strong code of ethics.
A scientific review published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice identified six qualities that make a good physical therapist:
If these qualities describe you, consider following the steps below to become a physical therapist.
Most physical therapists start by earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field like exercise science, biology, kinesiology or psychology.
Research common prerequisites for D.P.T. programs to ensure you take all required courses before applying for your doctorate. Many D.P.T. programs require applicants to have taken courses in human anatomy, physics, biology, chemistry and statistics.
Many physical therapy schools require D.P.T. applicants to have experience working in the field under a licensed physical therapist’s supervision. Pursuing relevant paid or volunteer opportunities during undergrad can set you up for success when applying for doctoral programs.
All physical therapists must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). D.P.T. students complete courses including biomechanics, neuroscience and pharmacology. They also spend time working in clinics under the guidance of clinical instructors.
After earning a DPT, physical therapists must pass the NPTE from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. The exam is offered four times per year, and candidates can retake the exam up to three times in a 12-month period.
Physical therapist licensure requirements vary by state. Depending on where you plan to practice, you may have to complete background screening or compliance training to earn your credential, and you might need ongoing education courses to maintain your license.
Check with your state board for a list of licensing requirements.
Physical therapists can access several post-licensure training and credentialing opportunities to help them advance within specific areas of clinical practice and expand their employment options.
The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education accredits physical therapist residency and fellowship programs and maintains a searchable program directory.
Now is a great time to consider a physical therapy career. The BLS projects employment for physical therapists to grow by 15%, or an average of about 13,900 openings per year, from 2022 to 2032. This is significantly faster than the national average projected growth rate of 3% for all occupations.
Physical therapists made a median annual salary of $99,710 as of 2023, the BLS reports. The highest-earning 10% made more than $130,870, and the lowest-earning 10% took home less than $72,260.
Specializing in a particular area of practice will add additional time to your career path but can accelerate your professional growth and allow you to earn more throughout your lifetime.
The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) offers board certification in 10 specialty areas. To take an ABPTS specialty exam, you must complete residency training or a minimum number of practice hours. Explore potential focus areas for board-certified specialists below.
Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapists help patients with heart and lung conditions cope with and recover from events like a heart attack or heart surgery. They also assist patients with managing respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Clinical electrophysiology, one of the newest specialty certifications, involves using electricity to monitor, measure or induce a bodily response to evaluate and treat conditions related to nerve or muscle damage.
Board-certified specialists in neurology are experts in conditions affecting the neuromuscular system—the body’s motor neurons, sensory neurons and skeletal muscle fibers that control movement, posture and breathing. These physical therapists evaluate and develop treatment plans for patients of all ages with neurologic dysfunction.
Data from the 2020 U.S. Census found that 1 in 6 Americans were 65 or older, creating a high demand for physical therapists specializing in treating older adults. These specialists are experts in working with conditions affecting aging patients, like arthritis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Board-certified oncology specialists work with patients undergoing cancer treatment or suffering from other chronic illnesses, including HIV. They help patients manage the effects of chronic pain, muscle weakness or bone density loss caused by cancer treatment.
Orthopedics is the most popular certification, with more than 21,000 registered specialists in the country, as reported by the American Physical Therapy Association—over four times as many as the next most common specialty, neurology. This group helps patients prevent, manage and recover from injuries to bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.
Pediatric specialists treat traumatic, developmental and systemic disorders affecting children, from newborns to teenagers. They commonly work with children with autism, cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis, among other conditions.
Physical therapists specializing in sports medicine work with athletes of all ages, both professional and amateur, to correct issues related to athletic performance. They can work in sports medicine centers, in hospitals or directly with sports teams and coaches.
Therapists who specialize in women’s health certification treat conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth, like incontinence, back pain and pelvic pain. They also manage symptoms related to menopause and other conditions affecting women.
Wound management became a board-certified specialty in 2022 and is an emerging field for physical therapists. These practitioners manage the relationship and interactions between wounds (superficial or deep) and the body.
Salaries vary by geography, experience, employer and specialty, but the BLS reports that PTs employed at outpatient care centers earn some of the highest annual incomes, with an average annual wage of $123,900. Other top-paying industries include home healthcare services ($116,500), educational support services ($112,270) and individual and family services ($108,950).
Becoming a PT requires a bachelor’s degree, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and a passing score on a national certification exam, which can be time-consuming and challenging. Most D.P.T. programs require a minimum GPA, references, interviews, volunteer or paid experience working with patients under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist, and even a criminal background check for admission.
CAPTE reports that as of 2021, Doctor of Physical Therapy programs at public universities charged a median annual tuition rate of $19,379 for in-state students and $36,332 for out-of-state enrollees. D.P.T. candidates at private institutions paid a median of $38,030 per year.
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Education WriterSuzie loves researching, interviewing experts and breaking down complex information into understandable and actionable advice to help others improve their lives. Based in Denver, Suzie and her husband are parents to a 14-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl and two rescue dogs.
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