Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements

Becoming a physical therapy assistant is a great way to build a career that allows plenty of hands-on, personal involvement with patients, yet without having to get a 4-year degree.

In actuality, many physical therapy assistants (PTAs) work closer with the patients than the physical therapist does, so it could be a great job for those looking for that kind of interaction.

Physical therapy assistant requirements are fairly strict in the US however; with the way that the healthcare profession in general is not only increasing, but also continuing to educate, this will likely remain so, too.

More and more assistant positions are being re-evaluated, as are the educational requirements to hold those positions, the PTA being one of them.

Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements - Education

Although a degree is not technically required in order for someone to take the test to earn their PTA and then become licensed, today, most employers will not hire anyone who does not have an Associate's Degree.

So, it is possible to become employed after taking a vocational course, but not as likely and not recommended.

Those that are hiring PTAs are looking for that 2-year degree, as well as other qualifications, and according to a number of professional organizations like the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) the educational preference - if and when it becomes an actual requirement - is likely to be a 4-year requirement.

With this in mind, it is highly recommended that anyone looking to enter the medical profession as a PTA earn their 2-year Associates' Degree prior to testing and licensing in order to have the best job opportunities available to them.

Students will not only be well prepared for all testing, but they will be ready to enter the job field, as well as pass any additional testing or other requirements that may be on the horizon if and when the rules do change.

Those who attend vocational programs are technically more suited for physical therapy aide positions, which are very different and require no licensure or certification.

Becoming a PTA in the UK and some areas in Europe is considerably different than in the US in that the base position requires no formal education other than passing 4 or more GCSEs.

However, most physical therapy assistants do go on to take more specialized training that is available only to those already working as a PTA, and earn specialized titles in different concentration areas such as cardiovascular physical therapy, neurologic, stroke recovery and more.

Physical Therapy Assistant Requirements - Licensure

In the US, in 48 of 50 states currently, in order to be employed as a PTA job seekers need to pass qualification skills testing and obtain licensure. This is something that is required on a statewide basis, so even if someone is a PTA and holds a license in one state, they will still need to test in a new state in order to gain licensure and the ability to be employed there.

The only two states that do not require licensure right now are Colorado and Hawaii, though it is uncertain if that will change as other educational and employment rules change.

Board Licensure of Physical Therapy Assistants involves taking a physical therapy exam, which is presented by and governed by each state's health department.

Additionally, there are continuing education requirements, and licenses must be renewed every few years in order for a PTA to remain legally employed. Those working in a physical therapy aide position are not required to obtain licensure or accrue continuing education credits.

As it is probably expected, salaries in all positions are considerably higher for the licensed individuals in the US and the specialized PTA employees in the UK.

Not just that, but these positions offer much more in terms of responsibility and actual involvement in patient treatment and care, which is usually a main interest of those who seek employment as a PTA. When considering the fact that requirements are likely to be increasing, it stands to reason that anyone entering the profession would want to earn the 2-year Associates Degree.

Also, many PTAs find that after working in the field for a while they desire to continue their education to become a licensed physical therapist; in these cases, schooling can simply be continued where it was left off to earn new requirements in no time.