So, you want to become a physical therapist. Physical therapy is a smart occupation to pursue because it’s one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. The road to becoming a physical therapist may be long, but it can be especially rewarding. If you think that the physical therapy route is for you, here’s what you need to know about your next steps.
What are the steps to becoming a physical therapist?
There are several steps associated with the process of becoming a physical therapist. The necessary steps include:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree — The first thing that is necessary to become a physical therapist is a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or a field related to it. Some examples of degrees that are related to physical therapy include chemistry, biology, and physiology.
- Earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree — After you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree, the next step is to earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. A DPT is required to work as a physical therapist. Your DPT program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Doctor of Physical Therapy programs usually take an average of three years to finish. They consist of coursework, labs and clinical rotations.
- Take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) — After earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, it’s necessary to take your licensing exam. The National Physical Therapy Examination is a test that all prospective physical therapists must take and pass to obtain their license to practice.
- Take the state licensing exam — In addition to passing the NPTE, you must also take a state licensing exam. Most states mandate that a physical therapist take both the NPTE and the state exam to work in a clinic.
- Finish a residency — Many physical therapists will undergo a residency program to boost their real-world experience. Residencies can be carried out in clinics, hospitals, sports centers and more. Completing a residency also helps physical therapists indicate to potential employers that they have experience.
- Search for a physical therapist job opportunity near you — The next step toward becoming a physical therapist is looking for a job. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You’ve worked hard, and it’s about time you started your career in the clinic of your dreams. However, before you interview for a job, you may want to make a few considerations first to determine the best employer for you. These considerations are listed below.
What are some of the key takeaways from our FREE career guide playbook?
Have you checked off all the steps above, minus the last? When looking for a PT job opportunity, there are several considerations you should take into account. Here are some factors you should keep in mind when choosing the best employer:
- Work environment.
- Mentorship and growth opportunities.
- Patient population.
- Work-life balance.
- Compensation and benefits.
- Location.
You can learn more details about each of these factors in our free career guide playbook. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of this resource.
Alliance PTP can help you find the career of your choice
As a newly certified physical therapist, you may be struggling to get your career started. Perhaps you’re looking to find a work environment that works best for you. But you don’t have to continue struggling. At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’ve created a nationwide partnership in care. Our partnerships are constantly evolving to help our PT practice partners and their team members. As a new physical therapist looking for somewhere to begin your career, we’re confident that we can provide you with the competitive salary and workplace culture that you need.
We know that our partners can’t provide exceptional PT without amazing PT team members and admin staff. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for physical therapists who want:
- A steadier daily schedule than most PT providers provide.
- Exceptional health, retirement and wellness benefits.
- Readily available mentorship and professional development opportunities.
- To be part of a team that’s committed to its patients and community.
Take advantage of all the career opportunities Alliance PTP offers. Look over our Careers page to see all the current career opportunities Alliance PTP can provide you with.