Physical therapists, or PTs, are health care professionals who evaluate and treat people with health problems resulting from injury or disease. PTs assess joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, function of heart and lungs, and performance of activities required in daily living, among other responsibilities. Treatment includes therapeutic exercise, cardiovascular endurance training, and training in activities of daily living. More than 90,000 physical therapists practice in the US today, treating nearly 1 million people every day.

What Are The EducationalRequirements For Becoming a PT?
The minimum educational requirement is a 4-year college degree in physical therapy from an accredited education program. However, the majority of programs offer the master's degree in physical therapy and after 2002, postbaccalaureate degrees will be required. Currently, 173 colleges and universities nationwide offer professional education programs in physical therapy.

What Are The Licensure Requirements For Becoming a PT?
After graduation, candidates must pass a state-administered national exam. Other requirements for physical therapy practice vary from state to state according to physical therapy practice acts or state regulations governing physical therapy. Information may be obtained by contacting your state licensure board. You can link to the Federation here, which will have listing of agencies.

For more information on the practice of Physical Therapy, please visit the American Physical Therapy Association's website at: http://apta.edoc.com