How to Become a Physical Therapist: A Helpful Guide to a Rewarding Career

December 11, 2024

Do you have a passion for assisting patients as they rehabilitate from injuries or supporting them as they manage chronic conditions? If so, the physical therapist career, backed by a health science bachelor’s degree from P.I.T., might be the right fit for you.

So, if you’re wondering how to become a physical therapist, as well as what the best strategies are to ensure a rewarding and long-lasting career, read on to learn more.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Physical therapists (PT) are health professionals who help patients to properly recover from injuries or maintain abilities when facing conditions that may inhibit their movement. Within this role, you will have the opportunity to work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, schools, and more.

Some of the day-to-day responsibilities of the physical therapist occupation can include:

• Observing patient movements to determine levels of ability
• Developing treatment plans that outline goals and expected outcomes
• Continuously evaluating progress and adjusting treatment as needed
• Educating patients and families on the recovery progress
• Maintaining patient records and charts

Becoming a Physical Therapist: 4 Steps to Success

1. Earn Your Undergraduate Degree

Once you’ve decided that the career path is right for you, one of the first steps to become a physical therapist is to pursue and complete an undergraduate degree from the university of your choosing. This can be any program that possesses a strong foundation in biology, physiology, and other related fields.

Are you looking to pursue an undergraduate degree that prepares you to be a physical therapist? If so, know that the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology offers a comprehensive health science bachelor’s degree to accommodate your specific career interests.

This program integrates rigorous coursework with hands-on experience to properly prepare students with the tools and competencies that they need to excel in the occupation of their choosing. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our program.

2. Complete Your DPT Program

After receiving their degree, students are then encouraged to pursue their DPT. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) clinical program is typically three years long and helps individuals demonstrate their complete expertise in human movement. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), this program provides students with rigorous courses encompassing concentrations such as neuroscience, biomechanics, and pharmacology, to name a few.

Along with coursework, students will also spend time working in various clinics to supplement their studies.

3. Pass the NPTE

After completing your DPT, physical therapists are then required to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which is offered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. It’s important to note that this examination is offered four times a year, meaning you will have plenty of time to prepare accordingly, as well as numerous opportunities to sign up for the exam throughout the year.

Additionally, keep in mind that candidates can retake the NPTE up to three times within a 12-month period.

4. Obtain Your State License

The last step to becoming a physical therapist is to get your state license, which allows you to legally practice in the state you reside in. Depending on the state you’re looking to work in, it may be required for you to complete an initial background screening or compliance training to receive your credential. On top of that, it may also be necessary for you to participate in ongoing education courses to maintain your license.

FAQs About the Physical Therapist Career

What is the average salary of a physical therapist?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for physical therapists in the United States is $99,710. Within the industry itself, some of the highest-paying settings when becoming a physical therapist include the following:

• Nursing care facilities
• Home health care services
• General medical and surgical hospitals
• Offices of physicians

What skills and qualities should a physical therapist possess?

When on the physical therapist career path, there are several skills that you should possess to excel in the role, which include the following:

What are some notable trends and statistics about the physical therapist career path?

• The overall employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 14% from 2023 to 2033, which is considered faster than average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• The physical therapy career is the fifth-largest occupation in clinical healthcare that also requires licensure, excluding general nursing (American Physical Therapy Association)

• As of 2021, there are around 72 physical therapists for every 100,000 people in the United States (American Physical Therapy Association)

• Approximately 36% of physical therapists work in private offices, while around 29% of these individuals work in hospitals (Cross River Therapy)

• The average age of physical therapists is 41.2 years old (Cross River Therapy)

• Globally, there are over 1.6 million registered physical therapists (Cross River Therapy)

• The states with the highest concentration of physical therapists include Vermont (7.8 per 1,000 jobs), Maine (5.4), and Rhode Island (4.6) (Ambitions)

• Women make up around 55% of all physical therapy patients, and people that are over the age of 65 also represent 55% of all therapy patients (Cross River Therapy)

• In 2022, the physical therapy industry had a value of $46.4 billion (Cross River Therapy)

What sets P.I.T. apart from other schools?

There are numerous reasons that students choose P.I.T. to start their journey for a physical therapist career, with some of the main advantages of our health science bachelor’s degree including that we are proud to offer:

• A variety of support services, like job placement, transfer assistance, and tutoring accommodations

• A 15-1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing students to network with peers and professors in a classroom setting

• Numerous opportunities for students to apply for grants, financial aid, and scholarships 

Apply to P.I.T. Today

Ready to take the next steps toward a rewarding career as a physical therapist? If so, apply to our distinguished program today. If you have any additional questions about how to become a physical therapist, please contact us directly, as we look forward to assisting you.