How to Become Physical Therapist in Colorado
Many physical therapists find the occupation tremendously rewarding, even though it can be demanding at times. Therapists work in hospitals or private clinics. The demanding part may come when they see patients who have just suffered traumatic injuries. It can take time and patience to help those patients progress so they have much of their strength and flexibility back. The rewarding part is being able to help patients on the road to recovery and play a major role in medical rehabilitation. Colorado, like all other states, requires you to be licensed as a physical therapist.
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Things You'll Need
- Degree in physical therapy from school or program
- Application and exam fees
- State license
Instructions
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Complete a certified course on physical therapy, either through a school or graduate program. The school and program must be accredited by Colorado's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
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Apply to the Colorado Office of Licensing -- Physical Therapy, part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Contact the state office at its website, by phone at (303) 894-7800, or by mail: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202.
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Include on the Colorado licensing application your accurate personal information, where else you have been licensed if applicable, your physical therapy education, the name of the school and your degree. There are also screening questions about your past. The fee for the application is $50.
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Check on the status of your application starting about a week from the date of its mailing to the Colorado Office of Licensing. You may call the Colorado state office or check on the status at its website.The applications stay on file for one year.
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Take and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to receive your Colorado license. Fees for the exam include $80 for the score transfer to the state, $55 for an individual score report and $150 for exam score verification.
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Passing the exam means you will be authorized and licensed to practice physical therapy by the Colorado Division of Registrations. If you do not pass, you may take the test again. A second test will cost you the same fee.
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Tips & Warnings
Colorado is a direct access state. That means that a referral by a physician is not necessary for a physical therapist to care for a patient. Physical therapist assistants are not licensed by the state of Colorado and are not required to take an exam. This might be a way for some people to learn about physical therapy and eventually become a licensed physical therapist.
