Online PTA Programs in 2023

Physical Therapy Assistant Online Course Curriculum

Online PTA Programs With Classes Nearby

Many local schools with physical therapist assistant programs on-campus will offer some of the coursework online through distance learning. It is worth looking into on-campus PTA Programs with online classes by checking out the schools in your area and seeing what they offer online. Clicking a state below will display all of the accredited PTA schools in that state.

Are the Best Physical Therapy Assistant Programs Online?

Physical therapy assistants are professionals who assist physical therapists in their practice. They provide patients with various treatments such as stretching and mobility, massages, therapeutic exercises, and other physical therapy treatment plans.

So, one may ask, are the best physical therapist assistant programs online? Or are the best PTA programs taught in the classroom?

Physical therapist assistant education programs train individuals to perform these services under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. These physical therapy programs usually last for two years and an online program will still require hands-on learning which provides firsthand experience working in a real clinical practice.

Physical therapy assistant programs are offered at both associate and bachelor degree levels. Prospective students who want to become physical therapy assistants should first complete either an associate or bachelor’s degree in physical therapy assisting followed by passing the NPTE National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs.

After completing the program and passing the exam, students can apply for licensure. Licensure requires passing a national exam and passing any state examination and potential additional requirements.

Physical therapy assistant schools offer the required PTA associate degree to become a PTA. There are 661 accredited physical therapist assistant schools nationwide (See Complete Database of PTA Programs by State), but not all of them offer their PTA courses online. PTA schools are CAPTE-accredited 2 year associate degree programs that prepare graduates for completing the national licensure exam called the National Physical Therapist Exam (NPTE) and officially becoming a licensed physical therapy assistant (PTA). Certification or a license is required in most states to perform PTA work.

More important than prepping students for the licensing exam, physical therapy assistant schools provide students with the required knowledge and skills to become a valuable physical therapist assistant. A great online physical therapist assistant program will emphasize this.

Logistics of Physical Therapy Assistant Schools Online

Although there are many accredited PTA schools and programs, the entire curriculum won’t be offered through online PTA courses known as distance learning courses. It is important to keep in mind that about 25% of the PTA associate degree curriculum is dedicated to clinical education through hands-on training in person. In fact, PTA students spend an average of 16 weeks in full-time clinical settings.

So, when you find a physical therapy assistant school online, you must plan for your clinical work and with the help of your program identify a local PT clinic to complete it. Logistically, the rest of your course material and assignments will be administered through an online learning portal. The notion of earning a degree online is not new. Online education began over two decades ago. But it is still something entirely new to anyone who has never done it before.

If you’re a first-time distance learning student, it’s important to understand the online education process and the requirements of the program you’re interested in. The grey box below contains details on the online education process to help you understand how your online program works.

State Licensing After Your Online PTA Program

To become a physical therapy assistant in the U.S., you need to hold a license which is regulated by individual states in addition to DC, PR, & US territories. You can use our state licensing tool to access your state’s PTA license requirements, forms, and fees.

Specific requirements and processes differ by state jurisdiction, but all require that you take and pass the NPTE to become licensed. You may also need to fulfill general requirements, including criminal background check, CPR certification, and the purchase of a license application processing fee.

Some state licensures require applicants to be eighteen years of age. Also, licensure is only accepted in the state that gives the license. So for example, if you want to work as a PTA in State A and then move to State B, you will need to get licensed again in your new state. It is a good idea to start learning your state’s requirements as soon as possible so you aren’t delayed in beginning work upon graduation.

About the NPTE

The National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), or NPTE for PTAs, is a computer-administered exam that consists of 200 multiple choice questions and must be taken at one of the many Prometric test centers located throughout the United States on specific dates.

The test can be taken in any jurisdiction where it is available. Exam participants have a maximum of 5 hours to finish the exam. The passing score range is from 600 and above (out of 800).

The NPTE may be taken up to three times in succession, and only six times all together. The exam fee is $485.00 so you’ll want to pass it on the first try. The NPTE for PTA exam is governed by the FSBPT or The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. For more information on exam policies, visit their website where you can review detailed eligibility requirements.

There is a wealth of materials that can be used for your exam preparation, including some which can be found at a library or bookstore for free. Find out more from your school’s library or at the FSBPT website to know about what resources are available.