How to Become a Physical Therapist in Nevada

The Nevada State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners is in charge of licensing and regulating physical therapists and physical therapy assistants. The board is made up of five members, four of whom are licensed physical therapists and one who is a public member. You must be licensed by the board in order to practice physical therapy in the state of Nevada.

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The average annual income for a physical therapist in Nevada is $115,220, while the average annual income for a physical therapist assistant is $57,100. Both of these averages rank among the highest throughout the United States. Nevada is also home to the Nevada Physical Therapy Association, which represents more than 400 physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. In order to become a physical therapist or a physical therapy assistant, you must complete the following steps:

Step 1 – Finish Your Degree

Physical Therapists:

Universities in Nevada do not offer a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Physical Therapy. The only degree offered is a Doctor of Physical Therapy
Nevada has two Universities that offer a degree in Physical Therapy:

University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Touro University Nevada

Physical Therapy Assistant:

Nevada has three accredited colleges that offer degrees in physical therapy:

Carrington College – Las Vegas
College of Southern Nevada
Pima Medical Institute – Las Vegas

Step 2 – Finish Clinical Experience

Clinical opportunities vary in length, form, and direction depending on what college or university that you attend. In general, clinical experience for at least a year, and will include a multitude of different environments for you to gain hands-on experience with physical therapy. Clinical requirements for physical therapy assistants are shorter and less comprehensive than those for physical therapists.

Step 3 – Pass Examinations

The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Both physical therapists and physical therapy assistants must take this examination. You must score at least a 600/800 in order to pass this exam. Testing days can be found on the FSBPT’s website. The PT and the PTA NPTE test fee is $370.

You must also pass the Nevada Jurisprudence Exam in order to be licensed. PA’s and PTA’s must take this test, attached to the license application, and return it with the completed application.

Step 4 – Apply for Licensure

Both physical therapists and physical therapy assistants must go through the same application process. The following steps must be completed in order to apply for a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant license in the state of Nevada:

Submit an application for licensure
Submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

If applying for a physical therapy assistant license, you must include high school transcript information

You must request fingerprinting information from the board
Submit reference letters

You must submit three professional reference letters. These letters must be submitted by licensed physical therapists who you have worked with in the last two years
You must also submit one personal reference letter covering your moral character. This letter cannot be submitted by a professor, classmate, or person related to you by blood or marriage

You must pay the licensing fee

Physical therapist – $325
Physical therapy assistant – $225

Step 5 – Maintain Licensure

Both physical therapists and physical therapy assistants must renew their licenses every year. The renewal period stretches from June 1st through July 31st.

Physical Therapists:

You must complete the renewal application online
Renewal fee – $150
You must also complete a minimum of 15 continuing education hours per year

Only eight of these hours may be completed in non-clinical courses

Physical Therapy Assistant:

You must complete the renewal application online
Renewal fee – $150
You must complete a minimum of 15 continuing education hours per year

Only eight of these hours may be completed in non-clinical courses