How to Become a Physical Therapist in Ohio

Physical therapists work closely with patients to help restore muscle and joint mobility, flexibility and function after an injury or surgery. Exercise therapy makes up a bulk of the physical therapist's work, but they also use electronic stimulation, heat and cold therapy, deep tissue massage and ultrasound to relieve pain and restore mobility. The State of Ohio requires licensing for all physical therapists -- which requires a specific course of study, from an accredited program and a doctorate degree. There are two major steps to becoming a physical therapist in Ohio, attending an accredited program and passing the licensing exam.

Instructions

1. Choose a program. There are 10 accredited physical therapy programs in Ohio, and each one is slightly different from the other. Which program you choose depends on your own needs, budget, personal academic requirements and professional/educational background. The best option is to first determine where you want to go to school, then check the program websites of those schools to determine which one is the best fit for you. Each school has a website that describes their doctorate of physical therapy (DPT) program as well as their exact requirements for admission, financial aid options and general campus information.

2. Complete Admission Requirements. All the programs in Ohio require a bachelor of science (BS) degree for admission. Candidates without a BS degree will need to complete the BS-equivalent coursework prior to application. The average academic requirements are a minimum 3.0 GPA, at least four quarters each of biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, and at least three quarters each of statistics, psychology, social sciences and college math. Candidates must also sit for the Graduate Requirement Exam (GRE), and some colleges also require volunteer hours, letters of recommendation and the Test of Standard Written English (TSWE) for admission. Non-English-speaking students are also required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

3. Complete the academic curriculum. The Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board (OTPTAT) requires a minimum of 120 credit hours--including hands-on clinical education --and must include basic sciences, biological and physical sciences. Most programs require full-time enrollment and last 3 1/2 to 4 years. The average PT coursework includes gross anatomy, pathology, biomechanics, kinesiology, exercise science and patient management. Students are also required to complete several clinical hours, working with real patients in a supervised setting. Many programs also require a small amount of elective courses like business administration.

4. Pass a national exam to become licensed. Once candidates graduate from the accredited program of their choice, they are qualified to sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam conducted by the Ohio OTPTAT Board. Candidates must fill out an application, provide proof of completion from an accredited program, and submit to a criminal background check. They must also pay the application fee (currently $125). Once the candidate passes the exam, the OTPTAT issues a license.

Tips & Warnings

• Volunteering in a physical therapy setting helps the candidate determine if physical therapy is the right career for him. Even if the specific program does not require volunteer hours for admission, it's a good idea to spend at least 20 hours in a physical therapy setting before applying to a program.

Resources

• Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board
• National Physical Therapy Exams