Career Overview: Roles and Responsibilities of a Physical Therapist (PT)
Physical therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who evaluate, treat, and help prevent movement disorders and functional limitations in people across various settings. Their clinical responsibilities include performing movement and functional assessments, evaluating impairments, developing and implementing individualized treatment plans, and monitoring patient progress and outcomes. Physical therapists also emphasize prevention and patient education by promoting safe movement, injury prevention, and long-term self-management strategies. Additionally, PT practice often comes with a responsibility to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and adhere to professional and ethical standards.
- Hospitals
- Outpatient Clinics
- Home Health
- Schools
- Sports and fitness facilities
- Workplaces
- Nursing Homes or Long-Term Care Facilities
(After earning a DPT)
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary
- Clinical electrophysiology
- Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Sports
- Wound Management
- Women's Health/Pelvic Health
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
Most PT schools require or strongly recommend:
- General Biology – 2 semesters with labs
- General Chemistry – 2 semesters with labs
- General Physics – 2 semesters with labs
- Human Anatomy and Physiology – 2 semesters with labs
- Medical Terminology
- Statistics
- Psychology
- English
Coursework varies by school. Always verify specific requirements on each program’s website.
The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is a standardized test designed to test your critical thinking skills in general categories rather than on specific “pre-requisite” content: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
After taking the GRE, you will receive a few different scores: a sub-score for your verbal and quantitative reasoning sections (scored between 130-170) as well as a combined score for your quantitative and qualitative reasoning sections (scored between 260-340). Additionally, you will receive a score for your analytical writing on a 6-point scale. Schools that require the GRE will likely report a minimum score needed to apply, or an average score of the previously admitted class/es. As you evaluate your scores, ensure that you are either at/above the minimum, or within a close range of the average.
Always check each school’s website to confirm testing requirements.
Application: Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)
- Personal information
- Academic History
Transcript Entry
Standardized Tests - Supporting Information
Observation Hours
Achievements
Essay
Experiences
Licenses and Certifications - Program Materials
Learn more about the PTCAS application
Research Programs: Create a list of programs and review their individual requirements for prerequisite courses, observation hours, testing (GRE), and letters of recommendation.
Obtain Observation Hours: Many programs require observation/shadowing to be completed under direct supervision of a licensed PT or PTA before applying.
Typical Expectations
- Most programs requirement ranges from 0-50hours of shadowing
- Opportunities can be paid or unpaid
- Try to observe a mix of settings/specialties
- Competitive applicants often exceed minimum hour requirements.
Letters of Recommendation: Most programs require 3 letters of recommendation.
- One MUST be from a PT or PTA
- Others may be from professors, supervisors, or research mentors
Programs will often specify who is an approved letter writer
To obtain meaningful letters, build relationships early by actively participating in class or clinical experiences, seeking feedback, and demonstrating reliability and initiative. When requesting a letter, ask well in advance, provide your resume, your personal statement, and clearly share deadlines and submission instructions. Thoughtful, detailed recommendations from individuals who know you well can significantly strengthen your application by offering credible, personalized perspectives on your strengths and potential.