Each state in the United States regulates the licensure of therapists. These health care professionals must have a degree beyond their baccalaureate degree. All states have a required test which must be administered after the completion of certified educational programs. Most states require the therapist to pass a national exam, in addition to the state exam.
To be eligible to practice as a physical therapist, the candidate must attend and complete an academic program of study that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. This is the certifying arm of the American Physical Therapy Association. Most programs are entry-level programs. A few programs offer the Master’s level degree and others offer doctoral degrees. The candidate will complete the bachelor’s level and then go on to the Master’s program, which is about 24 to 30 months long. A doctorate requires an additional 36 months of training.
During the educational process, candidates for therapists should expect to take many courses in the sciences. For example, therapists must successfully pass physiology, biology, exercise physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, pharmacology, neuroscience, radiology and pathology. Clinical reasoning classes and evidence-based practice classes are also required so the therapist can make determinations concerning how to address client needs and apply their resources.
Volunteer experience in the specific field of interest is sometimes required by colleges. This allows the college to focus resources on students who have a greater potential of actually working in the field. The volunteer experience will give the student an opportunity to explore options and identify other areas of interest.
People seeking careers in physical therapy can expect to have to complete a supervised clinical experience semester. During this internship, the student will work under the direction of an established therapist, usually without pay.
