Five Practical Steps to Become a Physical Therapist in Texas

There are many paths that can lead to a successful career and help humanity. One such path can lead you to become a physical therapist.

Physical therapists play a huge role in helping injured and ill patients. Their services can aid people in managing their pain, improving mobility, and reaching their highest potential. They can work with hospitals, organizations, and home healthcare agencies.

However, it is not an easy journey to become a physical therapist. It requires education, years of practice, and licenses to practice. The key is to stay determined and look at the bigger picture.

If you are unsure where to begin, here are a few steps that can lead you to success as a physical therapist in Texas.

1. Aim for the Bachelor’s Degree

There are no shortcuts to success. You need to get proper education from an institution with diversity, inclusion, and exceptional faculty. There are several brilliant DPT schools in Texas that can help you on the path of becoming a physical therapist.

Although many states do not require a bachelor’s degree for DPT programs, it’s mandatory in Taxes. So, buckle up for hard work, and take the first step of your journey very carefully.

Take this as the first step to your successful career. The professionals in the field can guide you about physical therapy’s challenges and benefits and help develop your interest. You get to learn something new with every step.

The first step to start your physical therapist journey is acquiring a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field. However, your bachelor’s degree does not have to be in physical therapy. You can choose among many applicable health-related fields. These fields may include the following

  • Biology
  • Physiology
  • Anatomy
  • Kinesiology
  • Pulmonary Sciences
  • Pharmacology

A background in communication, behavioral sciences, management sciences, and evidence-based practice can also benefit your successful physical therapist career. You can also discuss your plans with a professor for guidance.

2. Gather Experience in the Field

Practice makes perfect is an ideal saying for physical therapists. As mentioned earlier, physical therapists need hours of practice and impressive skills to make their career. Therefore, whenever you get a chance to provide your services, do not miss it.

The requirement of shadowing and practicing hours can differ for the physical therapy programs of your choosing. These hours may seem like a nuisance at the time, but in reality, they can be very helpful for your career.

These hours of shadowing and practicing can help you learn soft and technical skills by working with professionals in the field. Besides how a treatment takes place, you can also absorb how they interact with patients and perform their day-to-day duties.

This way, you will learn to deal with people of different ages, backgrounds, and problems more effectively. You can work in some of the following physical therapy practice areas:

  • Geriatrics
  • Oncology
  • Pediatrics
  • Sports
  • Neurology

Exposure can help you listen to your calling and choose the right career.

3. Obtain a License

The requirements for licensure differ in every state. However, it is required for every physical therapist and assistant in the field to require the relevant license. You may also be referred for compliance training and background check.

In addition, practitioners are also required to meet continuing education requirements every two years. This practice helps physical therapists keep up with current trends, practices, and standards.

These steps can help you obtain the license.

  • Carefully fill out the forms with accurate details
  • Submit the application to ECPTOTE
  • Provide evidence of your education
  • Share endorsements in other jurisdictions

4. Maintain Your License

Unlike many other branches of healthcare, obtaining a license once is not enough for physical therapists. They have to receive continuing education credits every two years in every state. However, the number of credits may vary in every state.

In Texas, twenty continuing education credits must be completed, including two hours of law and ethics study. Continuing education helps them advance their career through several residency programs and board certifications.

Please remember that you will be required to maintain a passing score on the Texas Jurisprudence examination.

5. Earn a Board Certification

When you aim for greatness, stop at nothing. Although board certification is optional, having it by your side increases your authority in the field. Therefore, after you become a licensed physical therapist, it is ideal to go for board certification.

You can get your board certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) in the following field of physical therapy.

  • Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
  • Clinical Electrophysiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Wound Management
  • Woman Health
  • Sports

To get your board certification, you must pass the National Physical Therapy exam and complete the residency program as per American Physical Therapy Association’s requirements. You will also need at least 2000 hours of practical experience in most states.

Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:May 16, 2023

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