Are you searching for how to become a physical therapist in Texas? Then it is worth researching since the average salary for physical therapists in the state is $91k per year.
Interestingly, the top physical therapists in Texas is making as much as $130k.
Furthermore, the demand for physical therapists in Texas is projected to grow by 20.4% from 2018 to 2028, with 1150 PT job openings annually throughout the state.
In this article, we are sharing how to become a physical therapist in Texas.
Steps on How to Become a Physical Therapist in Texas
- Step1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Field
- Step 2: Complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
- Step 3: Apply for a license with The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
- Step 4: you must submit all of the following information to the Board
- Step 5:Take the TX Jurisprudence Assessment Module (TX JAM) exam
- Step 6: Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
- Step 7: Complete a Residency Program (optional)
- Step 8: Earn Board Certification (optional)
- Step 9: Launch Your Physical Therapy Career
- Step 10: Maintain and renew your license
Now, let us us look at these steps on how to become a physical therapist in Texas in detail.
Step1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a Related Field
If you want to become a physical therapist, then you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a field that is related to health science. Earning a Bachelor’s degree is the first on our list of the steps on how to become a physical therapist in Texas.
Sometimes students are required to complete specific prerequisites, such as courses in physics, kinesiology, biology, chemistry, physiology, and anatomy.
It is your duty to research the prerequisites of the doctoral degree programs that you are interested in and be sure that you are taking the classes that you need.
Step 2: Complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, then such a student must enrol in and complete an accredited Doctor of Therapy (DPT) program.
Usually, DPT degree programs begin with didactic courses in pathophysiology, imaging, biomechanics, anatomy, and more.
During the second year of the program, students complete their white coat ceremony and enter the clinic for hands-on rotations supervised by a clinical instructor.
More innovative schools may also include a simulation component. For example, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS)—the largest PT school in the United States1—features a state-of-the-art simulation center on each of its five campuses.
There, DPT students have the chance to practice clinical interactions with mock patients before they enter the clinic.
Step 3: Apply for a license with The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
After step 2, The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners is a body that regulates the licensing of physical therapists in the state.
The first step in obtaining your PT license is to apply for it online. Before doing so, you must provide information such as your name and address information, your social security number, and your driver’s license information.
Also, you must provide the name, location, and school code for the school that granted your DPT degree. But, that’s not all, you will be needing your Credit card or e-check information to pay the application fee.
Please note that the application fees are non-refundable, therefore it is very essential that you meet all the requirements before applying.
You cannot save a partially completed online application and return to it later.
Step 4: you must submit all of the following information to the Board
Applying online is one step, but then you must submit other pieces of information such as an official transcript, Passport-type photo, Letter of completion, Fingerprinting, and take the TX Jurisprudence Assessment Module (TX JAM) exam.
To submit your official transcript, contact the registrar at your school and have them email your official transcript directly to the board.
transcripts in PDF form are accepted if emailed directly from the registrar’s office to exam@ptot.texas.gov.
A recent, 2 in. x 2 in. passport-type photo has to be submitted to the board. The submission can be either digitally or by mail.
Fingerprinting – The state of Texas requires a fingerprint background check.
Step 5:Take the TX Jurisprudence Assessment Module (TX JAM) exam
As part of the information you will submit to the board, At the Board, you will take the TX JAM exam, you must register online via the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT.)
Before you take the TX JAM, you have to ensure that you review and study the TX Legal Standards, Ethical Behavior, and APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) Core Documents.
For the examination, you are given two hours and 20 minutes to take it. Usually, there are 75 questions, and 80% of the questions must be answered correctly in order to pass.
Step 6: Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
Once the Board receives all the items listed in step 4 and once step 5 is completed for your application, you may schedule your National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) exam date through FSBPT.
One thing you must take note of is the NPTE eligibility requirements and key dates and deadlines.
Once you have successfully registered, you will receive an Authorization to Test letter (ATT) from FSBPT (it’s also available online via your FSBPT account.)
Your ATT letter will direct you to contact Prometric (the official testing centre) to schedule a time to sit for the exam.
The test is a multiple-choice exam that consists of 250 questions. Taking a practice exam is one of the best ways to prepare for the NPTE.
After completing your official National Physical Therapy Exam, FSBPT will report your score to the Board one week after your test date.
You can see if you passed the exam by logging into your FSBPT account.
You can track your overall progress towards licensure by checking the Board’s Applicant Status Lookup page.
Step 7: Complete a Residency Program (optional)
Though optional, the clinical residency is a post-graduate program that includes additional training, coursework, and clinical experiences.
A residency is a good way to begin specializing in your area of greatest interest.
Physical therapy fellowship programs are also available in that regard. This step is completely optional, and that means it is a step that you can decide not to go through.
There are ten specialty areas for physical therapists:
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
- Clinical Electrophysiology
- Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Sports
- Wound Management, and
- Women’s Health
Read on to see other steps on how to become a physical therapist in Texas.
Step 8: Earn Board Certification (optional)
Once you complete the above steps, become licensed and have gained work experience in the field, physical therapists have the opportunity to become board-certified clinical specialists through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).
For you to be board-certified, applicants must have a minimum pass in the National Physical Therapy exam and complete an American Physical Therapy Association-accredited residency program.
Alternatively, at least 2,000 hours of clinical experience qualifies you to receive the Board Certification.
Step 9 : Launch Your Physical Therapy Career
This career is a very rewarding one. It is a career that gives you the opportunity to change people’s lives for the better using traditional methods and some non-traditional treatments like cupping therapy.
Physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.
Step 10: Maintain and renew your license
The last step on how to become a physical therapist in Texas is maintaining and renewing your license.
Your license has to be maintained. Your license is valid for two years. To renew it, you must take and pass the Texas Jurisprudence Assessment Module (TX JAM) exam, you must complete a minimum of one continuing competency unit (CCU) of Human Trafficking Prevention Training, you must also complete 30 CCUs of continuing education, and finally, you must submit fingerprints (if not already) for a criminal background check.
Usually, your license can be renewed at any time in the three months before the expiry date. You may renew online or by mail.
Texas Physical Therapy Association is an excellent resource for all PTs in the state.
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Source: https://blog.getluna.com/the-pt-license-process-in-texas