Steps to Becoming a Physical Therapist You Need to Know [+ FAQs]

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a physical therapist “optimizes the patient's quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.”

In particular, physical therapists diagnose and treat individuals of all ages who have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that affect their function and movement. PTs, the abbreviation for “physical therapists”, will thus develop a treatment plan to improve their ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability. 

Generally, more and more people have settled on a physical therapy major, making it grow much faster than the average for all occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has shown that the employment of PTs is projected to grow 22% between 2018 and 2028. 

In addition to physical therapist years of school and essential skills, what else do you need to get into this rewarding career? This article will walk you through physical therapist education requirements in detail and help you answer the most frequently asked questions about this field.

This paragraph will focus on physical therapist schooling, including DPT programs, degrees, and licenses that you want to obtain for your career. 

Step 1: Earn a degree in relevant field 

“What degrees do I need to be a physical therapist?” Here comes the very first question that you all may have when looking into how to become a PT.  

The answer is you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree - one of the physical therapy prerequisites for acceptance into a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) program. Your bachelor’s degree doesn’t have to be in pre-physical therapy, but a health-related field is preferred, such as: 

• Anatomy
• Biology
• Biomechanics
• Cardiovascular and pulmonary sciences
• Endocrine sciences
• Kinesiology
• Metabolic sciences
• Musculoskeletal sciences
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Physiology

There are also other courses teaching soft skills that could help you with becoming a physical therapist, for example:

• Behavioral science
• Cultural competence
• Communication
• Management science

Step 2: Complete a DPT program

After you've earned a bachelor’s degree, the next step is to apply for a Doctor of Physical Therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). These physical therapy programs typically take three years to complete and cover topics including biology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, and pharmacology. The curriculum consists of 80% classroom and lab study, and 20% clinical education, allowing you to learn about your subject while gaining hands-on experience. 

The exact requirements for a DPT degree might vary, but below are the basics you need to meet: 

• Application fee
• Bachelor’s degree 
• Transcripts
• PT-supervised observation hours
• Supplemental materials (i.e., references, Graduate Record Examinations, etc.)

When choosing a DPT program, it's important to consider such factors as the tuition, the campus, the program’s post-graduate employment rates, student-teacher ratios, and teaching methods.

Here are the best physical therapy schools in the U.S. if you're looking to be a doctor of physiotherapy:

• University of Delaware
• University of Pittsburgh
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Northwestern University
• University of Iowa
• University of Southern California
• Duke University
• Emory University
• Creighton University
• MGH Institute of Health Professions

Step 3: Pass the NPTE 

All states require physical therapy licensure to practice legally. To obtain a PT license, you are required to pass the NPTE, standing for the National Physical Therapy Examination. It is given by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy; and four times a year, once a quarter in January, April, July, and October. 

The NPTE consists of 250 multiple-choice questions splitting into 5 sections and covering both body systems (e.g., neuromuscular and nervous systems, lymphatic systems, and musculoskeletal systems) and non-systems (e.g., safety and protection, therapeutic modalities, research, and evidence-based practice). Scoring a 600 or above out of 800 is considered passing.

Step 4: Obtain a physical therapy license  

Aside from passing the NPTE, practitioners must fulfill additional criteria, such as compliance training, background checks, etc. to receive physical therapy licensure. However, it might be different in some states so make sure you will reach out to your state board directly regarding how to get a physical therapy license.

To maintain physical therapy licensure, you'll have to meet continuing education requirements every two years in most states. The reason is that you can keep up with the latest health professions’ standards and trends through physical therapy continuing education.

Step 5: Attend a physical therapy residency or fellowship

If you want to specialize in an area of physical therapy practice, it's necessary to complete a residency program and/or a physical therapy fellowship. Through these PT programs, you will not only gain in-depth knowledge to work in a specialty area but also record some or all of the clinical hours needed to earn certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Then, what's the difference between Physical Therapy Residency vs. Fellowship Programs?

A residency experience prepares an individual to become a board-certified clinical specialist, whereas a fellowship is designed for graduates who already demonstrate expertise in a specific area of the physical therapy profession. Oftentimes, those who complete fellowships have already completed a clinical residency.

Though you've met all physical therapist education requirements, it might be challenging to obtain good employment. Let's dive into some winning tips for your PT career.  

1. Write a good physical therapist resume

To showcase your expertise, skills, and experience, it is necessary to have a perfectly written PT resume and cover letter that can portray you as a good professional in the field. You also need to demonstrate your enthusiasm for becoming a physical therapist to impress the hiring manager.  

What to include in a resume for physical therapy jobs:

1. Personal information (i.e., phone number, email address, LinkedIn, etc.)
2. Personal statement
3. Physical therapist’s years of school 
4. Work experience & Accomplishments
5. Physical therapy licensure

2. Find a suitable work environment

There are plenty of perks to enjoy throughout your physical therapist career, one of which is being able to work in a variety of settings. You can change your workplace without taking up a new occupation.

One of the most common work settings for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants is the outpatient clinic, while others can include: hospitals and nursing homes, elementary schools, corporate settings, and even patient homes.

Answering the questions below can help you choose a suitable work environment: 

• What major of physical therapy are you in?  
• What type of patients do you enjoy working with?
• What is the market potential for your specific area of interest?
• Is the location of the workplace convenient for you?
• Do you want to work as a traveling physical therapist or prefer settling down in one place?

Here is a list of 7 important physical therapist skills required to be effective and successful in this profession:

• The ability to work with people from various backgrounds
• A deep knowledge of the human body and nutrition
• A commitment to delivering a high level of customer care
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Awareness and understanding of safeguarding practice and policy
• Strong problem solving and stress management skills
• Physical stamina and coordination to perform the job 

Developing skills and knowledge is not only critical for beginners who want to step in the field, but also important for experienced professionals to advance their careers. From both a personal and professional perspective, the best way to acquire and master PT skills is through physical therapy continuing education and hands-on experience.

How to become a sports physiotherapist

Physiotherapists treat athletes with sports injuries and provide them with advice on how to avoid injury.

To do this job, you will first need to obtain a 4-year Bachelor's degree in physiotherapy, or an associated degree in exercise physiology, followed by a postgraduate qualification in physiotherapy. After that, complete your hospital/clinic rotations as a junior physiotherapist to gain all-round experience before specializing.

How to become a pelvic floor therapist (PFT)

As a pelvic floor therapist, you treat patients having pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, diastasis recti, and other conditions that constitute pelvic floor/pelvic girdle dysfunction.

5 steps to becoming a certified pelvic floor therapist include:

1. Obtain a license to practice PFT
2. Learn to treat pelvic floor dysfunction
3. Start practicing PFT
4. Develop your skills and knowledge
5. Earn the Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification

How to become a pediatric physical therapist 

Pediatric physical therapists work directly with children and help their families by teaching and guiding exercises to assist these individuals in reaching their full ability to function independently. 

Below are the pediatric physical therapy requirements you need to fulfill: 

• Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, advisably with a major or minor in biology, anatomy, child development, neuroscience, or physiology
• Complete a DPT program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education 
• Attend one year of a clinical residency to gain hands-on experience with pediatrics
• Complete a fellowship to further this specialization (if desired)
• Pass the NPTE for licensing

1. Where do physical therapists work?

This depends on what major a physical therapist is in, but generally, you will be required to work across many different settings with a variety of patient ages and issues. 

Here are the most popular work environments for your physical therapy practice:

• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Patient homes
• Sports training facilities and fitness centers
• Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
• Skilled nursing and extended care facilities
• Schools and research/education centers
• Industrial, workplace, or other occupational environments
• Virtually

2. What qualities should a physical therapist have?

In addition to thorough physical therapy training, you need to possess certain qualities for success in this field of work. 

Here are 10 qualities for becoming a great physical therapist:

• Realistic
• Patient
• Collaborative 
• Supportive
• Determined
• Resilient
• Compassionate & Caring
• Knowledgeable
• Communicative
• Well-organized

3. How long does it take to become a physical therapist?

You will need 3-4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree and 3-4 more years to complete a DPT program. Together with the NPTE and obtaining the license, it normally takes you around 8 years to become a physical therapist.

4. How much does a physical therapist make?

As of Aug 2023, a physical therapist’s median annual salary is $88,521, as revealed by Glassdoor. Salaries might vary based on position, location, years of experience, degree of education, and practice setting.

5. What are the most challenging aspects of physical therapy? 

The physical therapy landscape has changed dramatically in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. 

Here are the top 3 challenges that are affecting PT’s:

• Telehealth services: Though telehealth uptake in physical therapy practices continues to increase, the adoption of telehealth technology is not quite straightforward. Also, most clients have associated physical therapy with in-person visits to work on rehabilitation and mobility for ages.
• Educational costs: For physical therapists, 6 years of school come with student loans and interest repayments in large amounts. The situation will be tougher for those commonly starting at lower salaries than most other healthcare professionals.
• Patient retention: Many patients have difficulty with time commitment and scheduling, while others believe PTs have unrealistic expectations for treatment. In particular, the majority don't agree with the cost of treatment.

--- Originally written by May Luong ---