What Do I Need to Do to Become a Physical Therapy Professional? | Did you know that the average salary of a physical therapist is over $90,000?
If you’re looking for a rewarding career, then you’ll be glad to know that physical therapists perform work that directly benefits all types of people. From people who have survived traumatic accidents to those who have chronic conditions.
Are you wondering how to go about it? Keep reading to learn all about what you need to do to become a physical therapy professional.
- Get Your Bachelor’s
Before you become the best physical therapist, you’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree in a field that is in some way related to physical therapy. This will give you a great foundation for further learning and training.
Are you wondering what kind of undergraduate majors would fit the bill? You’ll be glad to know that you have plenty of options to choose from, including anatomy, biology, chemistry, and even physics. All of these majors and others will play some kind of role in your later studies.
- Enroll in a DPT Program
If becoming a physical therapy expert is your dream, then after you get your bachelor’s, you should sign up for a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) program. Just be sure that it’s an accredited program so that it can count.
Since you studied a lot of related subjects during your undergraduate journey, you won’t have to struggle with the first half of the DPT program. This is when you’ll learn more about anatomy, imaging, pathophysiology, and biomechanics, among other topics.
During the second half of your program, you’ll get actual hands-on training. You’ll be able to don your white coat and work with patients under the supervision of a licensed professional. This is where you’ll truly learn what it feels like to help people reach their optimal health.
- Ace the NPTE and Get Licensed
Every local physical therapist has had to study for, and eventually pass, the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination). This test is made of 250 questions with multiple choices for answers. They cover 5 different main subjects.
In order to pass, you’ll need to get a score of at least 600 if not higher. However, you still won’t be able to give anyone physical therapy treatment just yet.
Your next step is to get a license so you can treat patients.
Ready to Become a Physical Therapy Professional?
Now that you’ve learned all about what you need to do to become a physical therapy professional, you can start down the path of a fruitful career. Not only is the work fulfilling on a spiritual level, but you can also make enough to complete other goals, such as buying a home or even starting a family.
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