Training Required to Be a Physical Therapist

The purpose of this blog is to address the training required to become a physical therapist. I am going to provide an informational view on the general coursework and inform you about what degree(s) and certifications are needed. I will also list a couple recommended organizations you can be a part of as a physical therapist to help you further your career.

The training required to become a physical therapist varies from school or program, and from state to state. In other words, different schools or programs and also states have different requirements to become a physical therapist. You will need to take a state licensure exam for the state you are practicing in. For example, for the Physical Therapy Program at Texas Woman’s University, the course work includes, 8 credit hours of chemistry, 8 credit hours of physics, 8 credit hours of anatomy and physiology, 3 credit hours of college algebra, 6 credit hours of psychology, and 3 credit hours of medical terminology.2

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Most programs require a bachelor’s degree for admission and the bachelor’s degree must be completed with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of courses at the time of application and maintained until the beginning of the program.2 However, some programs will admit college freshman into 6 or 7 year programs that will allow them to graduate with both a bachelor’s and a doctoral degree in physical therapy.2 You can also enter the program with a master’s degree with similar requirements to the bachelor’s degree but in this case with a maintained 3.5 GPA.

All states require some type of licensure to practice physical therapy. Therefore, all physical therapists are required to have passed the National Physical Therapy Association Examination. Additionally, states require background checks and continuing education classes or courses for physical therapists to keep their licensure.  

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Some organizations that are recommended for physical therapist to join would be the American Board of Physical Therapist Specialties. This offers 8 certifications in clinical specialty areas including, but not limited to sports and geriatric physical therapy.1 The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) which is an accredited association in this specialty area.1

In conclusion, I have described in an informative view of the course work, degree(s) and certifications needed, and recommended organizations for potential physical therapists. In my next blog I will discuss the techniques and equipment that are commonly used in physical therapy rehabilitation.

References

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Physical Therapists,

on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm (visited October 12, 2016).

2University, T. W. (2016, October 5). Physical Therapy: About Physical Therapy. Retrieved from TWU: http://www.twu.edu/physical-therapy/about-pt.asp