How to Become a Physical Therapist: Your Step-By-Step Guide

As a physical therapist, you’ll help others improve their quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. Pairing in-depth medical training with expert patient care, physical therapists examine patients and help them get started on a treatment plan as they work toward physical recovery following an ailment or health condition.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of open positions for physical therapists is projected to grow by 17 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations during the same position [1]. If you're interested in a high-paying, in-demand health care job focused on patient care, then you might consider becoming a physical therapist.

In this guide, you'll learn everything you'll have to do to become a physical therapist, including the educational requirements, gain licensure, and various career paths. At the end, you'll explore cost-effective online courses that can help you gain job-relevant skills today.

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree.

To become a physical therapist, you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, so the first step to becoming a licensed physical therapist is to earn your bachelor’s degree. Your bachelor's degree does not need to be in physical therapy, but many students choose a health field related to it, such as biology, chemistry, or physiology. 

Alternatively, you could also enter a "3+3 program," which allows you to undertake three years of undergraduate work and then enter your three-year DPT program. This option reduces the time spent in school to six years instead of the seven it takes to complete a bachelor's and DPT program. If you are sure you want to be a physical therapist, this may be the most efficient option. 

If accepted as a freshman into a "3+3 program," you complete specific physical therapy-related undergraduate classes and other state requirements, including maintaining a minimum GPA before beginning the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Read more: A Guide to the Bachelor of Health Science Degree

2. Choose a DPT program.   

After you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree or met the other requirements, you can apply for a Doctor of Physical Therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). These programs typically last three years and cover topics including biology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, and pharmacology. 

To find the right program for you, visit the American Physical Therapy Association’s website to find a list of CAPTE-accredited programs. You can filter your DPT program search by start date, GRE requirements, deadline date, location, and accreditation status, among other filters. 

When choosing a DPT program, consider factors like the campus setting, the program’s post-graduate employment rates, the size and demographics of the student population, student-teacher ratios, the cost of the program, and the teaching methods. An out-of-state program will cost significantly more than a program in your state. Tour the campus and meet faculty, if possible. An academic adviser can also help you make the decision about which program is right for you.

Admission requirements  

When applying to a DPT program with a bachelor's degree, most will require that you have taken specific prerequisite courses as part of your undergraduate coursework.

The particular courses will depend on the DPT program, but common prerequisites include courses in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and statistics. You will also likely have to meet a minimum GPA requirement and Graduate Record Examination score. In addition, you will typically need some experience in a physical therapy setting, either as a volunteer or paid position. 

Accreditation 

Choose a DPT program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) to ensure it is a qualified entry-level education program. The CAPTE is recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The CAPTE awards its specialized accreditation status to qualified educational programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Having accreditation helps assure the quality of the education that you receive. 

Cost 

The cost of a DPT program will vary depending on factors like the location of the school or program and whether it is a private or public institution. It also varies depending on the length of the program and the certificate or degree awarded. 

According to the CAPTE, the median total cost of a program is $66,714 for public in-state programs, $115,858 for out-of-state programs, and $114,128 for private programs [2]. 

Besides tuition, DPT programs also often have annual fees and other program expenses associated with them. Such costs include background check fees for clinical education, activity fees, identification card fees, textbooks, and professional liability insurance. You also need to account for housing and transportation costs during the program.

Program structure 

According to the CAPTE, the average number of weeks spent completing a program in 2020-2021 was 123.67 weeks, or 2.4 years [2].

Programs are structured in two phases: classroom education (didactic) and lab study and clinical education. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapy students spend about 80 percent of the program length on didactic curriculum and lab study and then an average of 27.5 weeks in their clinical experience [3]. Besides the classes listed above, courses include behavioral sciences, communication, ethics and values, management sciences, finance, sociology, and clinical reasoning. 

3. Graduate from your DPT program and pass the NPTE.

The purpose of the DPT program is to prepare PT students for the NPTE, or National Physical Therapy Examination. This test is a necessary step to obtaining your physical therapy license. According to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, the test measures basic entry-level competence after graduation from an accredited or equivalent non-accredited program. 

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4. Pass your state's licensure exam.

To practice in a state, you must pass a state licensure exam to receive your physical therapist license. You need to pass both the NPTE and a state exam to practice legally in many states. All states require a license to practice physical therapy. Make sure to check with your state's requirements to ensure that you've met all of them before pursuing your example.

5. Complete a residency or earn board certification (optional). 

Many physical therapists also choose to complete a residency training or earn board certification. These optional steps can enhance a physical therapist’s training and credibility with patients. According to APTA, a clinical residency can advance a physical therapist's preparation as a provider of patient care services in a defined area of clinical practice. Physical therapists can get board certified through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. 

6. Apply for PT jobs.

With the degree and license, you can now apply for physical therapy jobs or choose to open your own practice. Physical therapists work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, athletic training centers, and schools. 

At a glance: physical therapist salary and job outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists earned a median annual salary of $99,710 as of May 2023 [1]. Salaries vary based on position, experience, degree, location, and practice setting. The demand for physical therapists varies from state to state, with growth expected to continue as the population ages. The APTA says unemployment rates for physical therapists are typically low. 

Get started 

One way to learn more about physical therapy and gauge interest in pursuing a career in the field is to take a cost-effective, online physical therapy course through Coursera. In the University of Toronto Managing Your Health: The Role of Physical Therapy and Exercise course, you'll explore the concepts and benefits of physical therapy and exercise. In the University of Minnesota's Preventing Chronic Pain: A Human Systems Approach, meanwhile, you'll learn how to better understand chronic pain conditions and how they can be prevented through self-management in our cognitive, behavioral, physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental realms.