Physical Therapist Assistant & PT Aide Schools

Degree & Certification Programs in Physical Therapy Assistance

PT Aides

It takes an average of several months to become a PT aide for those who already have a high school diploma or GED. This includes the time to apply for jobs and receive any on-the-job training. There are no licensing or certification requirements. Depending on age and prior education, those without a high school diploma or GED may take up to four years to complete their diploma or pass their GED examinations.

PTAs

PTAs need an associate’s degree from a physical therapist assistant program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)’s Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). These two-year programs accept applications annually and provide coursework in physical therapy, general education, and clinical education. Depending on the school, the number of accepted students may range from 12 to 50 or more.

Admissions requirements are determined by individual schools, as there is no centralized application for PTA programs. Some schools may have a more selective admissions process and require a competitive, point-based process.

Those applying to a PTA program should always check with admissions offices for further information about requirements. However, most schools require one or more of the following:

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum cumulative GPA
• Completion of prerequisite coursework in science, math, and English
• Submittal of personal statement or essay
• Recommendations from past employers or teachers
• Documented proof of observation of a clinical setting
• Immunizations

Roughly three-fourths of two-year PTA degree programs take place in a lab or classroom, where students may also pursue additional certifications such as first aid skills. The remaining fourth of the curriculum is focused on clinical hours, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Students in PTA programs spend an average of 16 weeks gaining full-time, hands-on experience. Degree programs for PTAs do not offer specializations. Accordingly, those interested in gaining experience within a specific industry, such as skilled nursing facilities or sports, will want to select a degree program with curriculum and clinical education opportunities that fit that area.

Here’s a featured list of accredited programs that train students to become licensed PTAs.

Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College has one of the longest-running PTA programs in the US and was the first to graduate a class of physical therapy assistants in 1969. Located in Miami, Florida offers a two-year associate’s degree that PTA students can complete in five semesters.

Notable for its focus on technology, Miami Dade College uses an online learning management system, Blackboard, so that students may rewatch on-campus lectures and access resources such as guides to laboratory skills. This 74-credit program features a service-learning component, where students gain clinical experience while also serving the local community.

• Location: Multiple campuses in Florida
• Duration: 2.25 years
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• Tuition: $8,789

Cerritos College

Located in Cerritos, California, Cerritos College offers an associate’s degree that prospective PTAs can complete in two years. With a focus on preparing students for licensure, over two-thirds of graduates pass their licensure exam on the first try.

Courses include therapeutic exercise, aging and integumentary management, soft tissue interventions, and prosthetics and orthotics for allied health professionals. The program begins every fall semester and can be completed in two academic years.

• Location: Cerritos, CA
• Duration: Two years
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• Tuition: $46 per credit (residents); $320 per credit (non-residents)

Northland Community & Technical College

Located in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, provides a 74-credit associate of applied science (AAS) degree that positions students for immediate entry into working as a PTA. This program provides a diverse curriculum that includes additional courses in medical coding, interpersonal skills, public speaking, and more.

To apply, students must take and pass the TEAS V for Allied Health Exam, hold current CPR certification, complete all courses with a grade of “C” or higher, have an educational background in the sciences, complete the health screening & immunization requirements, and a criminal background check for clinical experiences.

• Location: East Grand Forks, MN
• Duration: Two years
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• Tuition: $15,631 total

Baker College – College of Health Science

With campuses throughout Michigan, Baker College’s College of Health Science offers an associate’s PTA degree that takes two years to complete. Providing coursework in areas such as human anatomy and physiology, psychology, communication, patient assessment, and pediatric management, the 78-credit program notably includes three clinical placements.

The program is offered on-campus, but general education and prerequisite coursework is available at the Muskegon, Owosso, and Royal Oak campuses and online.

• Location: Multiple campuses in Michigan
• Duration: Two years
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• Tuition: $435 per credit

Austin Community College

Located outside of Austin in Round Rock, Texas, Austin Community College offers a two-year physical therapy assistant program. Students in this program learn from award-winning faculty who teach students how to improve mobility with exercises, techniques, and patient tracking.

Courses include human growth and development, rehabilitation techniques, management of neurological disorders, and clinical hours. Graduates from this program have a 100 percent pass rate on the licensure exam and a 94 percent job placement rate.

• Location: Round Rock, TX
• Duration: Four semesters
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• Tuition: $85-$353 per credit (depending on residency)

Mohave Community College

With campuses in Bullhead City, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, and North Mohave, Mohave Community College offers a two-year degree. This two-year associate’s degree program prepares students for the PTA licensing exam and work with patients of all ages who are suffering from a variety of ailments. Courses include rehabilitation of special populations, physical therapy seminars, and clinical practicum.

• Location: Multiple campuses in Arizona
• Duration: Two years
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• Tuition: $81-$283.50 per credit (depending on residency)

Core & Elective Courses in Physical Therapy Assistance

PT Aides

While PT aides are not required to obtain any certifications or licenses, they can expect on-the-job training to prepare them for the following responsibilities:

• Preparing treatment areas for patient use, including setting and cleaning up
• Cleaning treatment areas and moving equipment to maintain functionality
• Assist with patient intake and other clerical duties
• Working with physical therapists and PTAs to observe and document patient progress and responses
• Coordinating with physicians’ offices and hospital personnel
• Transporting patients to and from treatment areas

Note that allowed job functions for PT aides may vary by state. Working as a PT aide is a common stepping stone into a career as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.

PTAs

While programs may differ by college and state, the two-year PTA program prepares students for the following responsibilities:

• Observing patient status and progress before, during, and post-treatment
• Noting and reporting patient status to the physical therapist
• Helping patients do specific exercises and provide treatment as part of their plan of care
• Providing patient care using manual treatments, such as stretching and massage
• Using supportive equipment and devices, such as exercise balls, to help patients
• Working with the patient and their friends and family on post-care activities and options

Below are some common PTA courses that an accredited program may offer:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Exercise physiology
• Biomechanics
• Kinesiology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical pathology
• Behavioral sciences
• Communication
• Ethics and values

These courses are completed alongside clinical observations and rotations so students gain hands-on experience. Clinical experience typically accounts for 25 percent of each program. As PTAs undergo different education and training than physical therapists, it is not considered a stepping stone to becoming a physical therapist.

Career Outlook & Salary - Physical Therapist Assistants & Aides

As one of the country’s fastest-growing careers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023) predicted PTAs and PT aides between 2022 and 2032—a 19 percent increase, adding to the 145,100 employed PTAs in 2023. Work environments for PTAs and PT aides include offices, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, or home healthcare settings that provide one-on-one care. An estimated 27,600 new positions will be needed in the same decade.

PT Aides

PT aides earn annual average salaries of $33,210 (BLS May 2022). PT aides working in local government had the highest annual salary at $41,320. Top-employing industries for PTAs include offices of health practitioners ($31,570); general medical and surgical hospitals ($36,670), and offices of physicians ($34,640).

In May 2022, the BLS reported the following annual salary data for PT aides:

• 10th percentile: $22,380
• 25th percentile: $26,940
• 50th percentile (median): $31,410
• 75th percentile: $35,280
• 90th percentile: $41,320

According to the BLS, the highest paying states for PT aides are Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Washington.

PTAs

In May 2022, the BLS reported that PTAs earned average annual salaries of $64,510. Note the average annual salary differs by industry. PTAs working in home health have the highest average salary at $78,360, whereas those working in specialty hospitals had the lowest average salary at $69,600. Average salaries in other settings include nursing care facilities ($73,180); retirement and assisted living facilities ($72,800); and management of companies and enterprises ($69,600).

In May 2022, the BLS reported the following annual salary data for PTAs:

• 10th percentile: $43,340
• 25th percentile: $53,,970
• 50th percentile (median): $62,770
• 75th percentile: $75,310
• 90th percentile: $85,230

According to the same report, the highest paying states for PTAs are California, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.