What Physical Therapists Do

Physical therapists examine, diagnose, and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to people at the end of life. Physical therapists work with patients who have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that need treatment. They help patients avoid surgery and prescription drugs, maximize mobility, manage pain and chronic conditions, prevent future problems, and improve physical function and fitness.

Physical therapists examine each patient, develop a treatment plan to improve movement, reduce or manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability. Physical therapists will work with patients to implement the treatment plan or ask a physical therapist assistant to carry out the treatment plan. Physical therapists will monitor and adjust the treatment plan throughout the patient’s treatment. When appropriate the physical therapist will discharge the patient or move the patient to the next phase of the treatment plan.

Physical therapists can have a profound effect on people’s lives. They help people achieve fitness goals, regain or maintain their independence, and lead active lives. Movement is a key factor of life and physical therapist help to keep people moving.

Visit ChoosePT.com, APTA's official consumer information website, to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy.

Where Physical Therapists Work

Physical therapists practice in a wide range of settings, including but not limited to hospitals, outpatient clinics, people's homes, schools, sports and fitness facilities, workplaces, and nursing homes.

How Much Physical Therapists Earn

The median salary for a physical therapist is $97,720. Salaries vary based on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting.

Demand for physical therapists varies by geographical region and area of practice, but PT unemployment rates are typically low across the country. The need for physical therapists is expected to remain strong as the United States population ages and the demand for physical therapist services grows.

Physical Therapist Education and Licensure

To practice as a physical therapist in the U.S., you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education-accredited physical therapist education program and pass a state licensure exam.

The length of professional DPT programs is typically three years. Primary content areas in the curriculum may include, but are not limited to, biology, anatomy, cellular histology, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral sciences, communication, ethics/values, management sciences, finance, sociology, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, cardiovascular and pulmonary, endocrine and metabolic, and musculoskeletal.

Approximately 77% of the DPT curriculum is classroom (didactic) and lab study and the remaining 23% is dedicated to clinical education. Physical therapy students spend on average 22 weeks in their final clinical experience.

If you are an internationally educated PT or PTA, please read more information on internationally educated PTs and PTAs.

Getting Into a DPT Program

Most DPT programs require applicants to earn a bachelor's degree prior to admission. Other programs offer a 3+3 curricular format in which three years of specific preprofessional (undergraduate/pre-PT) courses must be taken before the student can advance into a three-year professional DPT program.

A few programs offer freshman entry, recruiting students directly from high school into a guaranteed admissions program. High school students accepted into these programs can automatically advance into the professional phase of the DPT program, pending the completion of specific undergraduate courses and any other stated contingencies, e.g., minimum GPA.

The PTCAS Directory provides a list of DPT programs participating in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service and includes requirements for each program.

Find a DPT Program

Choosing The Right Program: The 4 Ps  

Choosing the right Doctor of Physical Therapy program can feel overwhelming. With so many options to explore, it's important to find a program that aligns with your personal goals, academic needs, and professional aspirations. At APTA, we want to make that decision a little easier. Below are four key factors to consider when searching for a physical therapy program.  

Place  

Includes both the program's physical location and learning environment. Evaluate whether the location fits your lifestyle and offers opportunities for work-life balance, involvement, and professional growth. Programs are located across the country and offer unique opportunities based on their location. Just as important, explore the program's curriculum, teaching methods, academic support, and clinical experiences to ensure they align with your learning style and career goals. The learning environment will help you become a successful DPT student and walk across the stage in four years.  

People  

Includes the faculty, students, and alumni you will be engaging with in your prospective program. Faculty can be a valuable resource throughout your DPT education and beyond. Many faculty members have areas of expertise and research interests, providing opportunities for students to gain mentorship and hands-on experience. Your cohort will become an important part of your journey, often becoming close friends and trusted study partners. A strong cohort can greatly enhance your experience by providing support, encouragement, and a sense of camaraderie. Finally, a program's alumni network is a valuable resource for connecting you with shadowing, networking, and future opportunities.  

Program Statistics  

Includes all aspects of your application to ensure you are a competitive candidate. Understanding how your application aligns with a program's requirements can help you present your strengths effectively and maximize your chances of acceptance. You should consider narrowing your program list to make the selection process more manageable. Identifying key deal-breakers and dream programs can help you focus on the options that best align with your goals and preferences, leading to more precise and targeted applications. Most applicants apply to 1-10 programs, and acceptance rates exceed 90% for those applicants applying to 5-8 programs. You should also consider average cumulative GPA, GRE score, required physical therapy observation hours, and prerequisite courses. All statistics can be found in the PTCAS directory.  

Price  

Includes all costs associated with applying and attending a DPT program. For any graduate program, it is essential to consider the cost of attendance and potential return on investment. Many DPT programs offer different tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. Additionally, some programs help students offset overall costs by offering scholarships, graduate assistantships, or opportunities to establish residency, which may significantly reduce tuition and make earning a DPT degree more affordable. All tuition costs are available in the PTCAS directory and should be reviewed prior to applying to a program. 

Visit the PTCAS Program Directory for more program specific information to continue your physical therapy journey.

Admissions

The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service allows applicants to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple DPT programs.

Learn About the Admissions Process

After Graduation

Licensed physical therapists may choose to pursue a residency or fellowship program to enhance their knowledge and practice.

A clinical residency is designed to advance a physical therapist's preparation as a provider of patient care services in a defined area of clinical practice. It combines opportunities for ongoing clinical supervision and mentoring with a theoretical basis for advanced practice and scientific inquiry.

A clinical fellowship is a planned program of postprofessional clinical and didactic education for a physical therapist who demonstrates clinical expertise in an area of clinical practice related to the practice focus of the fellowship. (Fellows are frequently postresidency prepared or board-certified clinical specialists.)

Physical therapists also have the opportunity to become board-certified clinical specialists through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Specialization is the process by which a physical therapist builds on a broad base of professional education and practice to develop a greater depth of knowledge and skills related to a particular area of practice. PTs are not required to be certified in order to practice in a specific area.

There are currently 10 specialty areas of physical therapy: cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, sports, women’s health, and wound management.