Alabama Physical Therapy Education

Physical therapy is a top career choice in “The Heart of Dixie”. According to Indeed.com, the average
physical therapist in Alabama is approximately $94,000, which is actually six percent higher than the
national median income for physical therapists. Not only do Alabama jobs in physical therapy offer
competitive wages, but they're also in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated a 33
percent growth in the field of physical therapy (PT) between 2006 and 2016. Indeed.com's job trend graph
shows that physical therapy in Alabama has been steadily rising since 2006. Getting started in a career in
physical therapy in Alabama is an easy field to get into that is also financially rewarding, especially in the
state of Alabama.

Physical therapists in Alabama help to restore patients to their peak performance by assisting them in
restoring their mobility, avoiding future injury and eliminating pain. In order to fulfill these job functions,
Alabama physical therapists must complete several requirements.

Requirements to Become a Physical Therapist in AL

Alabama residents who wish to practice physical therapy within the state must meet the requirements set
forth by The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Qualified physical
therapists in Alabama are required to graduate from high school or complete an equivalency program in
order to earn a degree in physical therapy.

In order to enter a physical therapy school in the state of Alabama, an individual must first, have a bachelor's
degree in a field related to physical therapy – for example, kinesiology, exercise science or physiology. After
receiving a bachelor's degree, one must apply to a physical therapy school. The American Physical Therapy
Association (APTA) has approved 234 physical therapy programs throughout the United States. An aspiring
physical therapist will need to complete a two to three year degree depending on the desired program level
(Master OR Doctor of Physical Therapy).

Alabama physical therapists have several options, in terms of education. In order to earn a Masters Degree in
physical therapy, Alabama residents will need to enroll in one of the 68 CAPTE-approved Master's programs
(MPT, MS or MSPT) or one of the 142 doctor of physical therapy programs in the United States. Before
graduating as an undergraduate, Alabama residents who are hoping to become PTs should find
out about the requirements for their choice schools prior to applying because each school has
different criteria for student acceptance. Some schools admit students before they finish undergraduate
work (on the condition that they meet coursework and GPA requirements) and some schools allow students
to apply before they have finished their undergraduate work.

Physical Therapists in Alabama have a bright future and a promising career. If you're interested in the
medical industry, and you think you're an ideal candidate for helping people in a field like physical therapy –
get started with an in-depth education to be working as a doctor or other professional in the field within just
a few years.
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 To become a PT, you must matriculate into a master’s or doctorate program in physical therapy.
While requirements vary from
•
board shall issue a license without examination to a qualified PT/PTA who is licensed by another
state, a US territory or the District of Columbia, if the requirements for licensing or registration in
such state, territory or district were at the date of licensing or registration by such state substantially
equal to Alabama’s requirements.

APTA, which compiles the above information, believes that in a decade, most PTs will have doctorates. Both
the master and doctorate programs require between six and nine semesters of classes to graduate.
(Incidentally, U.S. News and World Report ranked University of Alabama’s-Birmingham graduate physical
therapy program number 29 in their 2008 list of the top 85 programs.)

As graduation approaches, begin collecting recommendations from teachers or professional PTs or PTAs with
whom you have worked. An internship with a physical therapy clinic will give you invaluable experience and
introduce you to professionals who may help you in your career goals, including vouching for your good
character, professional attitude and knowledge of the subject. The Alabama licensing board requires you to
be of good moral character, which may include an analysis of your professional conduct during your
internship or schooling. You will be asked to submit character reference forms along with your application
and the fee.
There are two exams you must pass. The jurisprudence exam will test your knowledge of Alabama-specific
laws and regulations concerning the PT industry. The other exam is handled by the Federation of State
Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and you can take the computer-based test anywhere in the country. The
PT exam takes five hours for 200 scored questions and the PTA exam takes four hours for 150 scored
questions. (Additional, unscored questions are included to help the FSBPT improve future tests.)
While you are awaiting the results of your exam, you can seek a temporary license, which allows you to
practice physical therapy until the results come in. The FSBPT submits your score directly to the Alabama
Board of Physical Therapy.

Provided you did well on the exam and your application (and moral character) are in good order, you will
receive your PT or PTA license from the state of Alabama.
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The Must have Ye Forei Must have completed a program of
APTA counts 234 accredited PTA credentials s gn- physical therapy education
programs in the U.S. These evaluation train approved by the American Physical
community or technical colleges from ed Therapy Association’s Commission
and universities require two years International appli on Accreditation in Physical Therapy
of study to graduate with an Credentialing cant Education.
associate’s degree. Note that to Associates, s Foreign-trained applicants must
enroll in a university to become a Inc. must have completed a minimum of 124
PT, you generally need to have a have semester hours of specific PT
bachelor’s degree or at least acce education if completed before 2003
have completed part of an ptabl and 155 semester hours if
undergraduate degree. So e completed after 2003; must be
working towards your PTA license score licensed in the country where the
is not likely to move you towards s on PT education was completed; and
becoming a PT. TOEF must get a credentials evaluation.
L
To become a PT, you must (220)
matriculate into a master’s or ; TSE
doctorate program in physical (50);
therapy. While requirements vary and
from school to school, you TWE
generally want to achieve a high (4.5).
grade point average (GPA) and do
well in a variety of science and
math courses, including biology,
chemistry, statistics, psychology
and anatomy.

To earn a master’s degree in

physical therapy (MPT, MSPT or
MS), apply to one of the 68
master’s programs in the country.
To become a doctor of physical
therapy (DPT), apply to one of the
142 programs in America.
For either degree, check the
requirements carefully and be
sure to compare many schools.
Some allow you to apply before
you’ve completed your
undergraduate work, while others
will admit you before you finish,
provided you meet their GPA,
class work and other
requirements.
•
board shall issue a license
without examination to a
qualified PT/PTA who is licensed
by another state, a US territory or
the District of Columbia, if the
requirements for licensing or
registration in such state,