How Do You Become a Physical Therapist? A Step-by-Step Career Guide

Becoming a physical therapist (PT) takes approximately seven to eight years of education and clinical training, leading to a rewarding career with a strong job outlook of 15% growth. The path involves earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, completing a residency, and obtaining a state license. This guide breaks down the steps, from education to your first job.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

A physical therapist is a healthcare expert who helps patients manage pain and improve movement after an injury, illness, or surgery. Their core responsibility is to develop personalized treatment plans. A PT's typical duties include:

• Conducting physical evaluations to assess a patient's strength, range of motion, and balance.
• Diagnosing movement dysfunction and setting recovery goals.
• Creating and demonstrating therapeutic exercises.
• Using techniques like massage, stretching, and specialized equipment.
• Educating patients and their families on the recovery process.

This role requires compassion, physical stamina, and excellent communication skills to motivate patients through their recovery journey.

What Are the Educational Requirements to Become a Physical Therapist?

The educational path to becoming a PT is rigorous and standardized. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: You must first complete a four-year undergraduate degree. While there is no specific "pre-PT" major, common choices include exercise science, kinesiology, biology, or health science. Your coursework should include prerequisites like anatomy, physiology, physics, and chemistry.
2. Complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program: The next step is to earn a doctoral degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). These programs typically take three years and combine advanced coursework with clinical rotations. Admission is competitive and often requires applying through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS).

How Do You Gain Experience and Get Licensed?

After graduating, you must gain hands-on experience and meet licensing requirements to practice legally.

• Complete a Clinical Residency: After earning your DPT, most graduates complete a residency program. This paid, full-time clinical experience lasts about one year and provides supervised, specialized training in settings like hospitals or outpatient clinics.
• Obtain Your State License: All states require physical therapists to be licensed. The universal requirement is passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). States may have additional requirements, such as jurisprudence exams or background checks. Licenses must be renewed periodically, often requiring continuing education credits.

Should You Consider Specializing?

While not mandatory, board certification can enhance your career opportunities and earning potential. After gaining significant clinical experience (usually 2,000 hours), you can become a specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Popular specialties include:

• Sports Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Physical Therapy
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Neurologic Physical Therapy

What is the Job Outlook and Salary for a Physical Therapist?

The profession is growing rapidly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15% employment growth from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. This demand is driven by an aging population and increased focus on outpatient care.

According to ok.com data, the median hourly wage for physical therapists is $48 per hour. Salaries can vary based on location, setting, and experience. The table below outlines the median annual wages for PTs in top industries.

How Can You Find Physical Therapist Jobs?

With a positive job outlook, finding opportunities is favorable. To start your search:

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your DPT degree, residency experience, state license, and any specialties.
• Use Specialized Job Boards: Search for openings on ok.com and other healthcare career sites.
• Network: Connect with professionals met during clinical rotations and residency programs.

Top states for PT employment include California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.

To launch your career, focus on securing the required DPT degree, gaining clinical residency experience, and passing the NPTE licensing exam. The investment in education leads to a stable, in-demand career helping patients regain their mobility and quality of life.