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Healthcare

How to become a Physical Therapist Assistant

Carries out the treatment plan a physical therapist designs, working directly with patients on exercises and mobility. From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there
2 years
Typical pay
$58k–$72k
Starting from
No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

Commonly asked for

  • Associate degree from a CAPTE-accredited program required
  • No prior healthcare experience required to enrol
  • NPTE-PTA exam and state licence required to practise
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The route

  1. Complete a CAPTE-accredited program

    Two-year associate degree; clinical rotations are the bulk of year two.

  2. Pass the NPTE-PTA

    The national exam for assistants.

    NPTE-PTA

    Get it from Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)

  3. Get your state licence

    Every state licenses PTAs.

  4. Destination

    Physical Therapist Assistant

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