Steps to Becoming a Physical Therapist

If you want to become a physical therapist it will take some time and effort on your part. Becoming a physical therapist will require you to complete several different steps in the process. But the time and effort will be worth it in the end, because you will be fully trained and qualified to start your career as a physical therapist.

The dirst step to becoming a physical therapist is to get a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university. This will get you started on the right track.

Next you will want to start work on your Master's or Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. By 2020, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) estimates that a majority of practicing physical therapists will hold a doctoral degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 out of the 212 accredited programs in physical therapy, only 12 of those awarded master's degrees. The rest were doctorate degrees.

After completing your physical therapy degree, you will want to complete a residency. This gives you the chance to train in a specialized area if you want. A normal residency will last about a year.

You have to pass state and National Licensing exams in order to become a licensed physical therapist. Each state has different regulations regarding the test, so be sure to find out the regulations in your local area.

If you choose to become Board Certified, you will need to meet the requirements of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). You must be licensed to practice and must have completed over 2,000 hours of practice in your specialty. 25 percent of those hours must have been within the last three years. The council within your specialty may expect you to have completed other requirements as well.

Duties of a Physical Therapist

A physical therapist treats patients of all ages that has some kind of limitation on what they can or can not do. The physical therapist will develop a plan based on the needs of the patient to help restore mobility and reduce pain. They care for patients in nursing homes, at hospitals, in outpatient care facilities, in schools, and within sports organizations.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is estimating that the need for physical therapists will grow around thirty percent from now until 2018. This means there should be plenty of employment opportunities available in this field in the coming years.

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