Who are Physical Therapists?
Physical therapists are health care professionals who provide services aimed at preventing the onset and/or slowing the progression of conditions resulting from injury, disease, and other causes. For more than 750,000 people in the United States physical therapists: diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical functional abilities; restore, maintain and promote not only optimal physical function, but optimal wellness and fitness and optimal quality of life as it relates to movement and health; prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, conditions or injuries.

Where do physical therapist practice?
"As essential participants in the health care delivery system, physical therapists assume leadership roles in rehabilitation; in prevention and health maintenance programs that promote health wellness, and fitness; and in professional and community organizations. Physical therapists also play important roles both in developing standards for physical therapist practice and in developing health care policy to ensure availability, accessibility, and optimal delivery of physical therapy services. Physical therapy is covered by federal, state and private insurance plans. The positive impact of physical therapists' services on health-related quality of life is well accepted." (from Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, 2001).

What are the Educational and Licensure Requirements for becoming a Physical Therapist?
The minimum educational requirement is a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited education program. Though many schools continue to graduate students with a master's degree, many programs such as Thomas Jefferson University, have transitioned to offering the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. After graduation, candidates must pass a state-administered national exam. Other requirements for physical therapy practice vary from state to state according to physical therapy practice acts or state regulations of the particular state.

What is the Employment Outlook for Physical Therapists?
According to the APTA Background Sheet, 2003, the physical therapy profession enjoys a 1.1 percent unemployment rate, the best employment conditions since enactment of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. APTA also reports a median salary of $52,000 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting.

*From: APTA Background Sheet, 2003 and Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, 2001