2024 Best Online Physical Therapy Aide Certification Programs

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Physical therapy aide certification programs are designed to equip you with the proper skills and knowledge needed to take on the role of a physical therapy aide.

 Best Online Physical Therapy Aide Certification Programs

If you’re interested in helping healthcare professionals and improving patient care, you might consider a career as a PT aide.

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Completing an online certificate program for this position can help strengthen your physical therapy knowledge and introduce you to common roles and practices in the field.

Online Physical Therapy Aide Certification Programs

Woman taking Online Physical Therapy Aide Certificate

Physical therapy aide certificate programs can help prepare you to enter the healthcare profession as a physical therapy aide.

Although certification isn’t required to become a physical therapy aide, certificate programs can be beneficial for individuals who want to strengthen their skills and knowledge for a PT aide career. Earning a physical therapy aide online certification program offers you the opportunity to explore your interests in the career.

Some common subjects covered in a physical therapist aide certificate program include:

  • Human anatomy and physiology
  • Physical therapy treatments
  • Exercise and mobility training
  • Medical terminology

The curriculum of a physical therapist aide certification program focuses on preparing you for the various roles and responsibilities you may have. Becoming a physical therapy aide can be a stepping stone toward a career as a physical therapy assistant or physical therapist. In fact, some physical therapy aids enroll in physical therapist assistant programs online so they can earn their certification while they continue to work.

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Individuals interested in one of these career paths may consider professional certification because it can show dedication to the occupation and commitment to the field. This may help with future employment and education opportunities. Physical therapy aides don’t perform therapeutic tasks, but they assist physical therapy assistants and physical therapists.

Common responsibilities a physical therapy aide is authorized to perform include:

  • Cleaning and preparing treatment rooms or therapy areas
  • Scheduling patient therapy sessions
  • Answering phones
  • Helping patients move to and from therapy areas

Learning about legal issues, medical terminology, and patient care in a physical therapy aide certificate program can help you develop a deeper understanding of these responsibilities.

Physical Therapy Aide Careers & Salaries

Physical Therapy Aide Careers & Salaries

Most students complete a PT aide certificate program with the intent of becoming physical therapy aide. PT aides help healthcare professionals take care of patients by performing administrative and clerical duties.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapy aides earn an annual median salary of $29,200 and can work in a variety of healthcare settings.

Careers Annual Median Salaries
Physical Therapy Assistants $61,180
Physical Therapist Aides — Nursing Care Facilities $37,090
Occupational Therapy Aides $33,560
Psychiatric Aides $30,260
Physical Therapist Aides — Hospitals $30,230
Orderlies $29,990
Physical Therapist Aides — Offices of Physicians $29,960
Recreation Workers $29,680
Physical Therapist Aides — Government $29,020
Physical Therapist Aides — Offices of Audiologists, SLPs, OTs, and PTs $28,920

A physical therapy aide is an entry-level position in the field of physical therapy. It can be a rewarding career for individuals who want to help others.

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The position can also be helpful if you’re interested in pursuing further education and advancing your career as a physical therapy assistant. Other fields related to physical therapy include exercise physiology, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy. These occupations involve helping patients recover through therapeutic activities and treatment plans.

Physical Therapy Aide Certificate Curriculum & Courses

Students taking Physical Therapy Aide Certificate

The curriculum of a physical therapy aide certificate program focuses on developing the skills and knowledge needed to assist PT assistants and physical therapists with daily responsibilities.

Some core and elective courses that may be offered in a physical therapy aide certification online program include:

  • Introduction to Physical Therapy: This course introduces you to the practice of physical therapy, including its history and the roles of healthcare professionals in the field.
  • Introduction to Medical Terminology: You’ll learn about medical terms and their meanings in this course, along with proper spelling and pronunciation.
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology: This course introduces you to human anatomy, including the study of body functions and the physiology of human organ systems.
  • Exercise and Mobility Training: This course examines body mechanics and therapeutic exercises including the range of motion.
  • Workplace Health and Safety: This course teaches you about common safety practices and procedures for professionals and patients in the healthcare sector.
  • Kinesiology: You’ll learn about the study of human movement, including the roles and functions of joints and muscles.
  • Geriatric Physical Therapy: This course teaches you about physical therapy concepts and procedures used specifically for aging adults.
  • Therapeutic Procedures: This course focuses on therapeutic procedures used by physical therapy assistants and physical therapists, and it also includes patient care skills and procedures.
  • Musculoskeletal Structure and Function: The human musculoskeletal and nervous system and functions are explored in this course.
  • Rehabilitation Procedures: You’ll examine rehabilitation techniques as they relate to treating patients with disabling conditions, such as exercise procedures and prosthetic training.

This type of program introduces you to human movements and functions as well as various PT practices and procedures to help you gain a better understanding of how to care for physical therapy patients.

Admissions Requirements

Friends preparing requirements for Physical Therapy Aide Certification

Along with an admissions application, you may be asked to submit other materials to be considered for a certificate program. Common admissions requirements for a physical therapy aide program include:

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent
  • SAT or ACT scores (only some schools require them)
  • Statement of purpose

Admissions requirements can differ between schools, but students are often asked to provide proof of high school or GED completion for undergraduate certificate programs. A growing number of schools no longer require SAT or ACT scores, but you can check with your prospective schools to discover their unique admissions criteria.

Online Physical Therapy Aide Programs Accreditation

University offering Physical Therapy Aide Certificate

Regional accreditation is a process that colleges and universities go through to prove that their programs meet quality standards. You might want to consider the accreditation status of potential schools since it provides credibility in your education.

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One of the eligibility requirements to receive federal financial aid is attending an accredited institution. Employers may also consider the accreditation status of a school when reviewing applicants. Receiving an accredited education may also be necessary for certification and licensure eligibility. You can research accredited institutions on the US Department of Education’s website.

Physical Therapy Aide Licensure and Certifications

CPTA helping a patient

Licensure and certification are not required to become a physical therapy aide because the role doesn’t involve therapeutic or medical responsibilities.

Physical therapist aide requirements typically consist of a high school diploma or GED. Physical therapy assistants and physical therapists, though, are required to hold certification and licensure. Here are some aide certification options that could potentially open up employment opportunities as well as show your commitment to the field:

  • Certified Physical Therapy Aide (CPTA)
  • Physical Therapy Technician / Aide Certification (PTTC)
  • Certified Physical Therapy Aide Specialist (CPTAS)

Earning certification involves passing an exam that typically includes subjects on anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, patient care, and legal issues.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Physical Therapy Aide Certificate financial aid

Financial aid and scholarships may help you reduce the upfront costs of a certificate program. You can apply for government financial aid at the state or federal level.

To find out if you’re eligible for federal aid, you can submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Government aid is income-based assistance that’s determined by several factors, such as Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and enrollment status.

Scholarships can also be awarded to students for numerous reasons. Some are merit-based, which are often determined by athletic or academic performance. Other scholarship programs have simple application processes that allow almost any student to apply.

What Can You Do with a Physical Therapy Aide Certificate?

Physical Therapy Aides discussing with doctor

Earning a physical therapy aide certificate can help you prepare for a career in physical therapy as an aide. It can also equip you to sit for a certification exam to become professionally certified as a PT aide.

Although earning an academic certificate or professional certification isn’t required for a physical therapy aide position, it can help advance your career and possibly open up more opportunities. Physical therapy aides typically need at least a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Completing a certificate program can help provide you with experience before entering the field.

What Does a Physical Therapy Aide Do?

Therapy Aide guiding a client to the therapy area

A physical therapy aide performs administrative and clerical duties to support physical therapy assistants and physical therapists. Aides can be found in a variety of healthcare settings, such as offices of physical or occupational therapists and physicians, hospitals, and nursing care facilities. These professionals help patients indirectly through non-medical responsibilities.

Some daily responsibilities of a PT aide can include cleaning and setting up therapy areas, helping patients move to and from therapy areas, scheduling appointments, answering phones, and washing linens. The range of duties that a physical therapy aide is allowed to perform can vary between states.

How Long Is a Certificate in Physical Therapy Aide Online Program?

Man taking Physical Therapy Aide Certificate online

The time it takes to complete a physical therapy aide certificate online program can vary depending on the school. Some schools have programs that can take 3 months or less to complete, while others may take at least 1 year.

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Some physical therapy aide schools offer accelerated online programs that allow students to finish in as little as 1 month. How long it takes you to complete a certificate program often depends on the number of classes offered. While those with more classes may take longer to complete, they might also offer more in-depth coursework.

What’s the Difference Between a Physical Therapy Aide Certification vs. Certificate?

A physical therapy aide certification isn’t the same as a certificate. Here are the main differences between these two credentials.

Physical Therapy Aide Certification Physical Therapy Aide Certificate
  • Professional credential
  • Involves passing a certification exam
  • Awarded by a certification organization or board
  • Academic credential
  • Proof of program completion
  • Awarded by a postsecondary institution

A physical therapy aide certificate is awarded to individuals who complete a physical therapy aide certificate program from an academic institution. Physical therapy aide certification is a professional credential you can choose to seek to become a certified physical therapy aide.

What’s the Difference Between a Physical Therapy Aide vs. Assistant?

Although the job titles sound similar, physical therapy aide and physical therapy assistant are separate occupations that have different responsibilities. Here are some differences between these two roles.

Physical Therapy Aide Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Performs administrative and clerical duties
  • Assists physical therapy assistants and physical therapists
  • Cares for patients indirectly
  • Performs therapeutic treatments and sessions
  • May oversee physical therapy aides and assist physical therapists
  • Cares for patients directly

A physical therapy aide supports physical therapy assistants and physical therapists. Physical therapy assistants have more responsibilities than an aide. They care for patients directly through treatment and therapeutic activities.

Is a Physical Therapy Aide Certificate Worth It?

Physical Therapy Aide guiding an elderly patient

Yes, a physical therapy aide certificate is worth it for many students. It can help you enhance your skills and knowledge in physical therapy and potentially give you a step up in the field. It can also be a stepping stone to earning a degree in physical therapy.

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In addition, physical therapy positions are experiencing faster-than-average growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapy aide positions are projected to see 19% job growth over the next ten years.

Universities Offering Online Certificate in Physical Therapy Aide Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Borough of Manhattan Community College

Borough of Manhattan Community College

Borough of Manhattan Community College offers a Physical Therapy Aide Certification. The curriculum covers key concepts like anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and law and ethics. This program is housed in a convenient, 100% online format. Incoming students can choose to begin classes at any time.

BMCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

California State University – Long Beach

California State University Long Beach

California State University—Long Beach offers a Certificate for Physical Therapy Aides. The program aims to help students develop a fundamental understanding of anatomy, medical terminology, patient positioning, ambulatory assistive devices, and note recording. Students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of instruction to graduate. Classes can be attended in person or online.

CSULB is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University offers a Certified Physical Therapy Aide program. Many graduates pursue physical aide assistant roles in settings like hospitals, long-term care facilities, or private practices. The curriculum consists of 190-course hours. On average, students can complete the program in 9 months of full-time study.

Mississippi State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers a Certificate for Physical Therapy Aides. This program may be an excellent step for students interested in pursuing varied support roles within healthcare. The curriculum covers core topics, like anatomy, patient transfers, common exercises, modalities, and medical equipment. All classes meet fully online.

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of Georgia

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia offers a Physical Therapy Aide Certification program. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the American Medical Association Certification Association’s Physical Therapy Technician and Aide professional certification exam. The program consists of 190 hours of instruction. Students can take their courses at any time and attend classes entirely online.

The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Getting Your Physical Therapy Aide Certificate Online

Woman pursuing Physical Therapy Aide Certificate Online

If you’re interested in a career as a physical therapy aide, you might consider applying for a certificate program.

A physical therapy aide certificate program can help you gain a deeper understanding of physical therapy roles and procedures. Aside from equipping you for this in-demand role, a PT aide certificate program could also help you prepare for taking a professional certification exam.

You can take your first steps toward a career as a PT aide by researching accredited schools to discover physical therapy aide online certificate programs that best support your goals.

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Amy Hayes
WRITTEN BY
Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Old Dominion University, with a minor in English. She previously worked as an educator before starting her career as a writer. Amy spends much of her time researching and writing, with the goal of sharing valuable information with readers.