Your Guide to Become a Physical Therapist

Becoming a physical therapist is a great opportunity to launch a prosperous career. If you are interested in natural sciences, medicine and physics this career path can meet your career goals. If you also like to help people in every day life, then it’s surely a perfect choice! So how to become a physical therapist with no problems?

Main Steps to Become a Physical Therapist

1. Start with Undergraduate Degree

Getting a Bachelor's Degree in physical therapy is the first step on your way to become a physical therapist. Basically, it’s an entry-level degree to the profession. Bachelor’s Degree is, on average, 4 years in duration.

2. Gain Experience

During your undergraduate physical therapist education try to gain some practical experience. It is the most important think in this manual on how to become a physical therapist! Consider taking a volunteer work in clinics or organizations where physical therapy is practiced. Being prepared in advance will definitely help you to become a physical therapist!

3. Get a Graduate Degree

With the reference to the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) report of 2009, there are 212 accredited graduate physical therapy schools. Given this data, you have a wide choice of options to become a physical therapist. On average, it takes from 2 to 2.5 years to complete a Master's Degree in physical therapy. Graduate degree programs for becoming a physical therapist include theoretical courses, lab classes and clinical hours. Graduating from the school you will be perfectly prepared to become a physical therapist!

How to Become a Licensed Physical Therapist

4.Licensing

For becoming a physical therapist you have to get a license. As a main requirement you will have to successfully pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. Some states may have some extra requirements for becoming a physical therapist. Check them out before submitting your papers for the license procedure.

5.Continuing Education

Getting a license is the last step on your way to becoming a physical therapist. Yet you must remember that your license is to be renewed every two years. In order to prove your qualification upon license renewal you will have to take some courses prior to that.

So have you found out the answer on how to become a physical therapist? The way to becoming a physical therapist is quite long and requires a great deal of time and efforts. However, becoming a physical therapist is absolutely worth it!