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- Last Updated: April 21, 2023
How to Become a Physical Therapist
Physical therapy is a growing field, and the demand for physical therapists is only going to increase as the population ages. Because of this, becoming a physical therapist (PT) can be a rewarding career choice, both financially and emotionally. If you’ve ever wondered how to become a physical therapist, what do physical therapists do, or what the requirements to be a physical therapist are, you’re in the right spot. We’ve put this guide together to help you learn more about this profession so that you can decide if a physical therapist career is for you.
A physical therapist is usually tasked with managing the care of people who have been injured and need help rehabilitating. They’ll treat all types of people, from older adults to children, athletes, and office workers alike. Some of the most common physical conditions you might treat include:
- Amputations
- Arthritis
- Back and neck injuries
- Injuries related to work and sports
- Neurological disorders such as stroke
- Sprains, strains, and fractures
- And more
But what does a physical therapist do all day? One of the most appealing aspects of being a physical therapist is that you probably won’t have a “normal” day – they will vary depending on your patients. Since no injury is alike, PTs need to be able to develop a unique plan with the individual patient, then help them through their recovery. For general PTs, that means you’ll need a wide skill set. However, some physical therapists will choose to specialize in a certain injury, which could normalize your days a little more. Regardless of their specialty, the duties of a physical therapist will typically be:
- Review patients’ medical history and notes from other healthcare workers
- Observe patients’ motor functions and listen to their concerns in order to diagnose the issue
- Develop personalized plans for patients, outlining goals and the expected outcomes of the plans
- Enable better health and wellness and prevent further injury through the use of exercises, stretching maneuvers, and equipment
- Evaluate patients’ progress and modify care plans as needed
Because of the medical knowledge physical therapists need in order to treat their patients, becoming a physical therapist takes longer than most jobs. The average physical therapist needs about seven years of school – four years for their bachelor’s degree and three to earn their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. After that, PTs have the option of applying to a residency program for extra training and experience. Residencies last about one year.
If you choose to specialize, it might take even more time. Each specialty regulatory board has different requirements, but all stipulate that you have 2,000 hours of direct patient care related to the specialty. In terms of work hours, that equates to about one year.
The 10 areas of specialty recognized by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) are:
- Cardiovascular & Pulmonary
- Clinical Electrophysiology
- Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Sports
- Women’s Health
- Wound Management
- Bachelor's Degree (33.7%)
- Doctorate Degree (21.8%)
- Master's Degree (21.2%)
- Associate's Degree (15.2%)
- High School or GED (3.9%)
- Vocational Degree or Certification (3.3%)
- Some College (0.6%)
- Some High School (0.2%)
Requirements to Be a Physical Therapist
As mentioned above, there are certain requirements to be a physical therapist you must meet before you can practice. For example, all states require that PTs are licensed. That means passing the National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Some states have additional requirements, and you can learn more on the FSBPT website.
To learn more about the requirements to be a physical therapist by specialty, head to the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties website.
Soft Skills Needed to Be a PT
Aside from the education and licensing requirements, there are also certain soft skills you should develop when training to be a physical therapist. For example, physical therapists deal with patients and their families all day, so you’ll need great communication skills. You should also be empathetic, have lots of compassion, and a desire to help people.
Great PTs also have strong analytical and observational skills. This helps them diagnose a patient’s problem, evaluate treatments, and provide care. Being able to manage your time well is also necessary since PTs treat multiple patients each day while also still needing to complete administrative tasks.
Remember, PT salaries vary significantly by location, so use our free Salary Research Tool to find the right data for your area.
Physical therapy is a competitive field, and to land a job you’ll need a great resume. However, you can’t just throw everything you’ve ever done onto one resume and call it a day, especially if you’ve been a PT for several years. So, how can you create a stand-out document? If you follow these tips for a physical therapist resume you’ll be landing interviews in no time.
The most important tip is to tailor your resume to each job. Many employers use an automated Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen resumes, so if your resume doesn’t fit what the bot is looking for, you won’t move on. Take a look at the job posting and note any keywords you see, then add the relevant ones to your resume. For physical therapists, the keywords will likely include types of patient care, specific training or licenses, and experience with a certain type of patient.
If you’re a recent graduate, you might not have a lot of experience beyond what you’ve gained while earning your DPT to add to your resume. That’s normal, and you don’t need to worry. You can make sure you stand out to hiring managers by highlighting any other training or transferable skills you’ve picked up in other jobs or volunteer roles throughout your life.
Finally, if you can provide data points, that will go a long way toward convincing an employer you’re the right candidate. Talk about the number of patients you’ve treated, or even better, highlight your patient satisfaction statistics. Any real-world numbers you can provide will be beneficial.
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