Requirements to Become a Physical Therapist

A physical therapist is a health care professional. They work with people suffering from injuries or diseases, and help promote or prevent physical disabilities and restore function. A physical therapist works with many different kind of patients, such as accident victims, people afflicted with cerebral palsy, brain damage, heart diseases, arthritis, and all those who are suffering from disabling medical conditions. They work in close coordination with other health care professionals to asses, plan and prepare treatment strategies to improve the patients posture, motor function, muscle strength and performance, respiration and coordination of bodily movements. A physical therapist uses a combination of many tools, equipment and techniques to treat patients. Some of the tools and equipment are ultrasounds, walkers, leg braces, prosthetics, wheelchairs, etc. And some of the techniques include electric stimulation, massage therapy (deep tissue massage), cold compresses, hot packs, etc. Besides being involved in the actual development of their patients, they also have to complete all required documents regarding patient treatment, therapies and progress. While this is more or less the duties of a physical therapist, lets move on to the educational, and legal requirements to become a physical therapist.

How to Become a Physical Therapist

Educational Requirement to Become a Physical Therapist
As physical therapy jobs are in much demand, and are extremely well paying, it is a popular career choice for many. To become a qualified physical therapist, one needs to have an excellent educational track record in undergraduate programs. Undergraduate programs must include anatomy, medical assisting, trigonometry, computer skills, humanities, geometry, chemistry, physiology, and/or health education in order to seek admission in a physical therapy graduate program. Admissions in physical therapy programs are highly competitive, and some states have entrance exams as well.

The U.S. recognizes only those physical therapists who have earned their graduate, masters, or doctoral degrees from an accredited physical therapist educational program. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 200 accredited physical therapist programs that offer graduate, masters and doctoral degrees. There are primarily four methods of earning a physical therapy degree; direct entry masters in physical therapy degree, transitional masters in physical therapy degree, direct entry doctorate in physical therapy degree, and transitional doctorate in physical therapy degree. Physical therapy programs are highly intensive, and also provide hands-on clinical experience in the field of biomechanics, human development, anatomy, and therapeutic procedures.

Licensing Requirement to Become a Physical Therapist
In the U.S., passing a physical therapy license exam and obtaining a license is essential to practice as a physical therapist. While most states have their own specific requirements, some general licensing rules are followed in most states. Physical therapists have to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). They are also required to pass state exams in the state they wish to practice in. These exams are regulated by the state’s regulatory board. For foreign students passing in an English proficiency test is also a mandatory requirement. To appear for the licensing exam; national and state, the aspirant must provide relevant documents obtained from the accredited programs he/she has undertaken. As a policy, these credentials are evaluated and approved by a state-appointed credentialing agency.

Physical therapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation, orthopedic centers or practice privately. The salary of a physical therapist can range anywhere between $40,000 to $86,000, and is currently rising with each passing year. The salary depends on the location, specialization, and experience. Employment in this sector is expected to increase much faster than average as more and more specialized and advanced centers come up. For all education, licensing and career profiling updates, one can always refer to the American Physical Therapy Association website. Besides the above requirements, before becoming a physical therapist, aspirants also need to polish their interpersonal communication skills, and have compassion for helping other people.