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What is a Physical Therapist?

If you're interested in a career that involves physical activity and helping others maintain a healthy lifestyle, becoming a physical therapist could be a great choice. As a physical therapist, you'll assist people recovering from injuries or setbacks, helping them regain mobility. Your patients will vary in age and condition, with some needing help with simple tasks while others may be wheelchair-bound and fighting to walk again. If you're committed to long-term education, adaptable to various situations, and eager to motivate and encourage patients, this career could be a great fit. Compassion is key, as some patients may be scared or frustrated, and you'll need to be understanding while still motivating them to put in the effort for recovery.

You may encounter different titles for physical therapists, like LPT, RPT, or DPT. Since 2010, LPT and RPT have been obsolete, as a license is now required to practice. PT indicates a licensed and registered therapist, while DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) is the standard for those who’ve completed a physical therapy program.

Physical therapists work with people recovering from injuries or illnesses that impact mobility. They design exercise and endurance programs to help rebuild strength and muscle, enabling patients to continue healing on their own. As a physical therapist, you’ll work with patients of all ages, from young athletes recovering from sports injuries to older individuals recovering from strokes or other medical conditions.

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Steps to Become a Licensed Physical Therapist

The process of becoming a physical therapist is pretty cut and dry. You’ll need to follow the steps in their correct order to become a PT. The entire process takes a minimum of six to seven years but can take longer depending on your individual circumstances. However, once you make it through the process, you’ll have a rewarding career ahead of you.

  • Step 1: Complete a Four-year degree

  • Step 2: Complete Your Graduate Degree in Physical Therapy

  • Step 3: Complete Clinical Internship

  • Step 4: Meet State Licensing Requirements

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Step 1: Complete a Four-year Degree

An undergraduate degree is required before you can apply to and start a Physical Therapy program. If you are entering college with the intention of becoming a physical therapist, you should do two things. First, learn the course and/or major requirements for a physical therapy program that interests you. Second, choose an undergraduate major that complements physical therapy such as physical education, or take a lot of heavily medical-related courses such as biology, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry. When you’re looking at physical therapy programs, pay close attention to the courses required and the academic requirements you’ll need to meet to be accepted, such as a certain grade-point average. Also, your major and the school should be regionally accredited, as this is a requirement to attend many graduate programs.

A health-related degree is ideal, but it’s not a requirement. Keep in mind that several classes from health programs will be required, so if you opt to not declare a health-related major you’ll still need to find a way to fit those classes in.

Step 2: Complete Your Graduate Degree in Physical Therapy

During the application process, you’ll most likely apply to schools using the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Using this tool will help you select the schools that offer what you want to study and ensure the program is accredited. Most doctor of physical therapy programs last three years. Programs are accredited through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). As a physical therapy student, you will study Applied Physical Therapy, Life Span Development, Complex Conditions and a variety of other courses.

Step 3: Complete Clinical Internship

Most programs require you to complete at least one internship in acute care or an orthopedic department. It can be completed in a hospital or clinic so long as it is monitored by a licensed medical professional. The number of hours required to complete the internship varies by the school so it’s best to check the requirements of your particular school.

Step 4: Meet State Licensing Requirements

Each state also has a set of requirements physical therapist candidates need to meet. Determine in which state you want to live and learn their requirements. Once you know what they are, follow them to the letter. In most cases, your physical therapists program can provide information on licensing requirements for any states you might be interested in working in. You’ll also need to take the National Physical Therapy Examination which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Some states require background checks and fingerprinting. Check your state’s requirements regarding licensure.

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What Do These Professionals Do?

A typical day for a physical therapist consists of completing a variety of tasks all centered around patient care. A therapist’s primary job is to work with patients to help them improve their mobility and fine motor skills, so part of the day consists of working with clients in the therapy room or other locations that are beneficial to the patient’s recovery. Between patient appointments, therapists meet with other caregivers to review and create treatment plans for patients, plan individual plans, and field questions patients might have regarding their progress. Depending on the work setting, the physical therapist might also have office duties that must be completed, such as paperwork or calling in prescriptions. Therapists also attend workshops and continuing education classes so that they can stay up-to-date with the latest technology and treatment methods.

Skills to Acquire

Physical Therapists use a variety of skills to do their jobs.

  • Communication skills:
    From talking to other medical professionals about treatment plans to explaining situations to patients, the ability to communicate with people is important.
  • Physical stamina and endurance:
    As a PT, there is a lot of physical activity involved. Assisting patients with standing, walking, and other tasks requires that the therapist have the strength and stamina for two.
  • Motivational skills:
    For patients who are stubborn, scared, or discouraged, physical therapists can be the best cheerleaders and coaches.
  • Knowledge of equipment:
    Therapists learn how to use most equipment during school, but when a new piece of equipment is introduced, the ability to learn how to use it on your own will be necessary.
  • Written skills:
    Preparing treatment plans and updating patient files require excellent writing skills and attention to details.
  • Teaching/instructing:
    Physical therapists have to explain treatment plans to patients, their families, and other medical staff. They also have to teach the patient what they need to do during therapy.

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Physical Therapist Career & Salary

Where Might You Work?

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Physical therapists can work in a variety of medical settings. Many physical therapists work in the physical therapy departments in hospitals. They also work in independent physical therapy clinics and centers. Some gyms and workout facilities have physical therapists on staff to assist customers with techniques, and colleges and universities often have physical therapists on staff to work with athletes to help with recovery and to help prevent injuries. Finally, you have therapists that travel and offer physical therapy to people in their homes. For those who want to help train the next generation of PTs, teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level is also an option, but this is generally a path taken later on in a therapist’s career.

Salaries for physical therapists increase with the level of responsibility. The median salary for a new physical therapist is $70,000, while a therapist that works their way up to running a facility can earn $90,000 or more on average.

Potential Career Paths

A physical therapist can hold several job titles throughout their career. Most start out as therapists in a hospital environment, but as their careers progress, they migrate to other jobs in other types of medical establishments. Here is a list of jobs a physical therapist might encounter and experience during their career:

Physical Therapist:
this is where all physical therapists start out, usually in a hospital or clinic.

Senior Physical Therapist:
after physical therapists have been working for a few years, they might earn this designation to help them stand out from the newer physical therapists. Staff might call on a senior PT more because of their expertise.

Physical Therapy Manager:
as with any business, there are managers. A Physical therapy manager manages other physical therapists and might be in charge of running the facility.

Physical Therapy Director:
this therapist is in charge of the entire physical therapy department.

Rehabilitation Director:
This therapist could be in charge of an entire business, or the director of a rehab that is part of a skilled care facility or hospital.

Career Outlook

If you’re planning to become a physical therapist, there’s good news: demand is expected to grow by 14%, faster than the average. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a need for at least 36,800 physical therapists between 2023 and 2033. This demand is driven by two factors: baby boomers living longer and leading active lifestyles, and people with chronic diseases like arthritis and diabetes needing help with mobility recovery. Additionally, advances in technology are increasing life expectancy, leading to more people recovering from medical setbacks like heart attacks or strokes, requiring physical therapy.

If you have a specific location in mind, states like Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Montana have high demand for physical therapists. For higher salaries, Nevada, New Jersey, Arkansas, Texas, and Georgia offer the best pay. Rural areas also often need therapists, as they are under-served compared to urban areas, particularly in acute care, skilled care, and orthopedic facilities.


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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a PT do?

Physical therapists practice on patients with injuries or setbacks to regain their mobility. They focus on rehabilitation, treatment, and preventive care.

Where do physical therapists work?

Physical therapists work in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, patients' homes, and private offices.

What is the job outlook for physical therapists?

According to the Bauru of Labor Statists, the projected growth rate for physical therapists from 2020 to 2030 is 21%.

What qualities should PTs have?

Physical therapists should be patient, determined, resilient, and compassionate. They also need to be collaborative, knowledgeable, and resilient.

How much can you make in these roles?

Physical therapist make around $70,000 on average. Therapists that works their way up to running a facility can earn $90,000.

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