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Have you dreamed of working as a physical therapist someday? Its a viable career choice that allows you to help patients improve body movements and minimize pain. Plus, you can help prevent injuries and disabilities that impede the optimal functionality of the human body.

Maybe youre ready to launch your career but dont know where to start. Benzinga will show you the ropes in this detailed guide on how to become a physical therapist.

Before you take the first step toward becoming a physical therapist, you should know what the role entails and how much you can expect to be compensated. Its also best if you have an idea of the education requirements. Most importantly, you want to know if the demand for physical therapists will increase over time.

Weve included this information and more to help you determine if a career as a physical therapist is right for you.

Physical therapists play an integral role in the preventive care, rehabilitation and treatment process for their patients. Their primary goal is to help patients improve movement in the area thats injured or impacted by a chronic condition or illness.

Other core roles and responsibilities include:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these industries employ the largest number of physical therapists:

In May 2019, the average annual salary for physical therapists was $89,440, notes BLS.gov. Heres how it breaks down by industry:

You need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to work in the field. Before you can be admitted to a program, you will need a bachelors degree under your belt. Youre not limited to majors but its best to consider options that include courses on anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics and physiology. An undergraduate degree in exercise science is also ideal.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physical therapists is slated to increase by 22% through 2028. This is good news for aspiring physical therapists, as the projected growth rate is 17% higher than the average for all other occupations.

Follow these steps to become a physical therapist.

You want a bachelors degree program thats offered by a reputable college or university. It should also be accredited and feature small class sizes that allow you to receive individualized attention. Dedicated student support resources for distance learning students are also ideal.

Consider an online course to learn more about the physical therapy profession or supplement your knowledge. Affordable options are available for all skill levels, and you can work through the course material at your own pace.

The program you select should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Expect to spend 3 years working through the program.

When you graduate from the DPT program, you can participate in a clinical residency program. Doing so allows you to gain additional experience in the field and focus on a particular area of care. If you want to gain even more specialized expertise, consider a fellowship program. View your options through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Educations website.

Before you can practice as a physical therapist, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination to get licensed. It is facilitated by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

These online exercise science degree programs will help you meet the education requirements needed to be admitted to a DPT program.

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