How to Become a Physical Therapist in California

Physical therapists are “movement experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education,” according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Physical therapists treat individuals from all ages (newborn to geriatric) in various settings. They evaluate, assess, diagnose, educate, and work with individuals who have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions. They tailor a plan of care to the patient’s needs to improve physical movement and independence.

Yes, you can consider physical therapists as doctors of their field.

Currently, physical therapists must earn their doctorate in physical therapy, meaning that they are doctors of physical therapy. Physical therapists receive a clinical doctorate in their profession separate from the path of becoming a doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO).

Patients at PRO~PT may either meet with a licensed physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant. The difference between the two is:

Physical therapists:

• Diagnose patients
• Develop a physical therapy plan, including in-patient and out-patient exercises
• Change & update the physical therapy plan as the patient’s progress is assessed
• Educate patients about the therapy

Physical therapist assistants:

• Keep track of a patient’s progress
• Help the patient through exercises and with equipment when needed
• Assist physical therapists with in-clinic and in-home therapy

The national average salary that a physical therapist makes is about $92,000 annually. In the state of California, the average is about $88,199 with a range of $45,679 to $143,988 annually, according to ZipRecruiter data.

Factors that affect physical therapists’ pay:

• Location
• Physical therapy setting—home health and per diem physical therapists typically make higher incomes
• Experience
• Education

On average, it takes about 7 years to become a physical therapist.

Currently, a prospective physical therapist must earn a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT). DPT programs require a bachelor’s degree prior to admission to their physical therapy school, which is usually a two- to three-year course.

After completing their DPT degree, prospective PTs must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination and the state licensing exam in order to start practicing.

1. Graduate with an undergraduate bachelor’s degree.
2. Enroll and complete a post-graduate physical therapy program at an accredited institution.
3. While in your program, join a clinical education program such as what PRO~PT offers students.
4. Receive a “Certificate of Completion” form from your institution.
5. Apply for your physical therapy license through the California Physical Therapy Board.
6. Pass the California Law Examination (CLE), an exam testing your knowledge of laws and regulations relating to physical therapy.
7. Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), an exam testing your knowledge of anatomy and topics related to physical therapy.

• Azusa Pacific University
• California State University – Fresno
• California State University – Northridge
• California State University – Sacramento
• Chapman University
• Loma Linda University
• Mount Saint Mary’s University
• Samuel Merritt University
• San Diego State University
• UC San Francisco – San Francisco State University
• University of Southern California
• University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences-California
• University of the Pacific
• West Coast University
• Western University of Health Sciences-California

In order to sit for the NPTE, prospective PTs must have graduated from an accredited DPT program. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), “accredits physical therapy programs to assure quality — both that the quality of [the] course work is high and that the schools produce people qualified to serve the public.”

Click here for a full list of accredited programs across the country.

Each program has different requirements for entry, so it is important to look them up before applying. Some schools require that you take the GRE and receive a certain score while others do not.

Observation/clinical hours are usually required but the amount and setting may vary as well (e.g. 100 hours vs. 150 hours, inpatient vs. outpatient). GPA requirements vary. Prerequisite coursework and its expiration may vary. One program may accept a class taken up to five years prior to application, whereas another would accept coursework taken up to seven years prior.

The CAPTE website lists the websites for each accredited program where you can find more information on their requirements.

There is a $160 first-time application processing fee for the first program application and an additional $60 for each program after that. There are also fees to take the GRE and for sending transcripts.

These costs can add up, so it benefits you to be mindful as you work your way to a physical therapist license.

The Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) allows prospective physical therapists to apply to multiple programs with one application. The application process can take months to complete and verify because it takes time to gather transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Start the application early to avoid missing deadlines.