USA (Physical Therapy)

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Original Editor - Jeremy Bryan

Top Contributors - Jeremy Bryan, Admin and Elaine Lonnemann  

Patient Access to Physical Therapy Services / Entry Point

In the United States there are two ways to gain access to Physical Therapy services, by referral of by direct access. By referral is the traditional method and it means that a physician, surgeon, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant writes a prescription for Physical Therapy services. By direct access means going directly to a Physical Therapist without meeting with another clinician for a prescription.

Currently, all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands allow direct access in some form. Each specific state stipulates their own parameters of direct access.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, as of February of 2021, there were 20 states that allowed direct access with no parameters or restrictions, 27 states, along with the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands, that allowed direct access with some form of parameters or restrictions, and three states that allowed direct access only under specific circumstances.

Therapist Preparation

In order to practice Physical Therapy in the United States, a license is required for each state where the Physical Therapist practices.

In order to obtain a license a candidate must:

Obtained a degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited Physical Therapy program.

OR

Have international Physical Therapy education reviewed and approved by an acceptable credentialing agency.

AND

Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

AND

Meet any additional state requirements such as the passing of state specific rules and regulations examinations.