physical therapist assistant education requirements
Physical Therapist Assistants
Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, providing rehabilitative services to clients who have lost mobility due to trauma or medical conditions. These assistants may train clients to increase function through exercise, perform therapeutic procedures and monitor patient development. This profession may be physically demanding; physical therapy assistants are often required to lift or move patients.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Associate's degree |
| Degree Fieldl | Physical therapy assisting |
| Licensure/Certification | State certification/licensure required (not in Hawaii) |
| Experience | None |
| Key Skills | Empathy and interest in people; organizational and strong verbal and written communication skills; manual dexterity and strength to work with patients |
| Salary | $55,170 (2015 mean for physical therapy assistants) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Aspiring physical therapy assistants need an associate's degree in physical therapy assisting. All but one state (Hawaii) requires physical therapy assistants to obtain state licensure or certification. No experience is necessary for entry-level positions. These professionals should have empathy and an interest in people. They should be organized, have manual dexterity and strength to work with patients. Strong verbal and written communication skills are needed. According to 2015 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapy assistants earned an average salary of $55,170.
Become a Physical Therapy Assistant
Step 1: Find an Accredited Education Program
Every would-be licensed physical therapy assistant is required to complete a 2-year degree program that is approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). In 2012, CAPTE reported that there were around 300 accredited physical therapy associate's degree programs in the U.S. Only graduates of such programs qualify for mandatory state licensure. Prospective students may want to contact potential schools for their accreditation information and their graduate employment statistics.
Step 2: Earn an Associate's Degree
Physical therapy assistant associate's degree programs tend to last five semesters and focus on clinical physical therapy education. Curricula involve mostly classroom and laboratory instruction. Courses may include anatomy, kinesiology, medical terminology, physical therapy assistance techniques, therapy exercises and pathology. Students are also required to complete around 16 weeks of clinical practicums.
Step 3: Become Licensed
Most states require licensure or certification for physical therapy assistants. Eligibility varies by state. However, physical therapy regulatory boards typically require completion of an approved degree program and passing scores on the National Physical Therapy Exam or a state-administered exam. Physical therapy assistants are also generally required to earn continuing education credits regularly to maintain certification or licensure.
Step 4: Seek Employment
Physical therapy assistants may find employment in a wide range of settings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most were employed by physical, occupational and speech therapists' offices as well as hospitals. Nursing homes, physicians' offices and home healthcare services also employed physical therapy assistants. Beginning assistants may also look for employment in acute hospitals, orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing units, which are expected to offer increased job opportunities due to the growing elderly population.
Step 5: Pursue a Specialty
While not mandatory, physical therapy assistants may choose to specialize in a specific clinical field. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) certifies physical therapist specialists in seven areas, including aquatic, pediatric, cardiovascular and neuromuscular physical therapy. To be eligible for specialty certification, candidates must be APTA members with five years of work experience and significant continuing education credits. They must also submit proof of contributions to the profession and letters of reference.
Physical therapy assistants need a field-specific associate's degree from a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation and Physical Therapy Education and all but one state require licensure or certification.
Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Education Overview - APTA
www.apta.org › For Prospective Students › PTA Education
by K Gardner - 2011
Nov 16, 2015 - Physical therapist assistant (PTA) education, obtained in a CAPTE-accredited two-year associate degree program, prepares graduates for taking the national licensure examination and entering the field of physical therapy with the required knowledge, skills, and behaviors of a PTA.Physical Therapist Assistant: Educational Requirements - Study.com
https://study.com/articles/Physical_Therapist_Assistant_Educational_Requirements.html
Educational Requirements for Licensure. Licensure or certification is required for physical therapist assistants in all U.S. states except Colorado and Hawaii. Licensing requirements vary by state but generally include completion of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy assistant program.
Required Education: Associate's degree for ph...
Median Salary (2015): $55,170*
Projected Job Growth (2014-2024): 41%*
How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant - Study.com
https://study.com/.../Physical_Therapy_Assistant_How_Do_I_Become_a_Physical_Th...
Most states require licensure or certification for physical therapy assistants. Eligibility varies by state. However, physical therapy regulatory boards typically require completion of an approved degreeprogram and passing scores on the National Physical Therapy Exam or a state-administered exam. Physical therapy
Degree Level: Associate's degree
Licensure/Certification: State certification/licen...
Degree Fieldl: Physical therapy assisting
Physical Therapist Assistant | Education & Careers
https://www.allalliedhealthschools.com › Physical Therapy
Curriculum varies from program to program, but in addition to the theory and practice of physical therapy, you'll probably study the basic medical sciences and other general education courses. You'll also gain plenty of hands-on experience in a clinical internship. Aside from earning a PTA degree, licensing requirementsHow to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant - Rasmussen College
www.rasmussen.edu › Degree Programs › School of Health Sciences › Blog
Jun 20, 2016 - All states except Colorado and Hawaii require PTAs to be licensed in addition to holding an associate's degree. Once applicants have graduated from a PTA program, they're eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for physical therapist assistants. Once you pass this exam, you'll be ...How To Become a Physical Therapy Assistant | PTA Requirements
www.exercise-science-guide.com › Education and Career Advice
Jump to Path of Education for PT Assistants - The 2 years a PTA program takes to complete includes all coursework and clinical education. This typically equates to 5 semesters at 15 credits per semester on average – 74 to 75 credits overall. Most of your time (approximately 75%) will be devoted to in-class ...How to Become a Physical Therapy Assistant in 5 Steps - Learn.org
https://learn.org/.../Physical_Therapy_Assistant_How_to_Become_a_Physical_Therap...
Research what it takes to become a physical therapy assistant. Learn about job duties, education requirements, licensure and job outlook to find...
Degree Required: Associate's degree
Job Growth (2014-2024): 41%
Licensure and/or Certification: All states require ...
Physical Therapist Assistant AAS - Lone Star College
www.lonestar.edu/physical-therapist-aas.htm
Dec 6, 2017 - One cohort is accepted into the program each year Besides the PTA courses, our program includes general education and science courses necessary for earning an Associates in Applied Science degree. Successful completion of the program satisfies the academic requirement for applying for the state ...Physical Therapist Assisting - GateWay Community College
https://www.gatewaycc.edu/physical-therapist-assisting
A PTA's responsibilities include: Working with patients suffering from injury or disease, causingphysical impairments that require treatment intervention to relieve pain and heal damaged tissue; Assisting in the treatment of patients to improve range of motion, strength and functional mobility; Usingphysical, mental and ...Physical Therapist Assistant | Madison Area Technical College
https://madisoncollege.edu/program/physical-therapist-assistant
Please note that upon admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program, you will be required to complete a background check and provide documentation of current required-immunizations and current Healthcare Provider CPR certification. Further information about these requirements will be shared at program ...