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Education and training

Before they can practice, physical therapists are required to pass a licensure exam after graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational program.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, in 1999 there were 189 accredited physical therapist programs. Of the accredited programs, 24 offered bachelor's degrees, 157 offered master's degrees, and eight offered doctoral degrees. By 2002, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education will require all physical therapist programs seeking accreditation to offer degrees at the post-baccalaureate level.

Physical therapist programs start with basic science courses such as biology, chemistry, and physics, followed by specialized courses such as biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures. Besides classroom and laboratory instruction, students receive supervised clinical experience.

Admission to physical therapist education programs is very competitive. Interested students may improve their admission potential by attaining superior grades, especially in science courses. Interested students should take courses such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, social science, mathematics, and physics. Before granting admission, many programs require that the student at least have experience as a volunteer in a hospital or clinic physical therapy department.

Physical therapists need strong interpersonal skills to successfully educate patients about their physical therapy treatments and to interact with the patient's family. Therapists should also be compassionate and posses a desire to help patients.

Physical therapists are expected to remain current in their professional development by participating in continuing education courses and workshops. A number of states require continuing education to maintain licensure.

In 1998, physical therapists earned a median annual income of $56,600. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,700 while the highest 10% earned in excess of $90,870 a year. Those in the middle 50% earned between $44,460 and $77,810 a year. In 1997, physical therapists' median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest number of physical therapists included home health care services, $65,600; nursing and personal care facilities, $60,400; health care practitioner offices, $56,600; physicians' offices and clinics, $55,100; and hospitals, $50,100.

Future outlook

Employment for physical therapists is expected to grow by 21–35% through 2008. For a variety of reasons, the demand for physical therapists should continue to rise. As the baby boom generation ages, the number of individuals with disabilities requiring therapy services should increase, as well as patients who will require cardiac and physical rehabilitation after a heart attack or stroke. In addition, the need for physical therapy will be increased as technological advances save the lives of a larger number of newborns with severe birth defects.

Future medical developments will also increase trauma victims' survival rate, thereby creating additional demand for rehabilitative care. Growth may also result from advances in medical technology which permit treatment of more disabling conditions.

Widespread interest in health promotion may also increase demand for physical therapy services. A growing number of employers are seeking the services of physical therapists to evaluate worksites, develop exercise programs, and teach safe work habits to employees in the hope of reducing injuries.