How to Become a Physical Therapist in Oregon, OR

Oregon offers its residents many diverse terrains and landscapes to enjoy. Oregon is also offering lots of job growth in healthcare industries. Open jobs for Physical Therapists and Assistants are growing at a rapid rate. In Oregon, the average wage is $79,000 for a Physical Therapist; the median salary is $54,310 for a Physical Therapy Assistant. There are 3.9 million residents in Oregon that are being served by 2,460 Physical Therapists and 540 Physical Therapy Assistants, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

The Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board handles all of the licensing and registration for physical therapists. Temporary licensing is available for out-of-state transfers and students that are waiting to take the national exam. Applicants with temporary licenses can only practice with the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist.
The Oregon state requirements in becoming a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant are:

Physical Therapy Assistant:
Applicants must:

  • Pass a drug test and criminal background check in order to enroll in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
  • Complete a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program from an accredited school. The accreditation should be issued by the Commission of Accreditation of Therapy Education (CAPTE).
  • Take the National Physical Therapy Assistant examination. This exam is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
  • Receive a Physical Therapist Assistant License issued by the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board (OPTLB).

Physical Therapist:
Applicants must:

  • Receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited university. The accreditation should be issued by the Commission of Accreditation of Therapy Education (CAPTE).
  • Take the National Physical Therapy Exam which is overseen by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
  • Receive a Physical Therapy License issued by the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board (OPTLB).

To become a Physical Therapist or a Physical Therapy Assistant in Oregon, applicants must follow these steps:

Step 1: Graduate with Minimum Education Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant:

Receive a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program from a school accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Therapy Education (CAPTE). Oregon schools with the program include:

  • Lane Community College
  • Mt. Hood Community College
  • Pacific University
  • Treasure Valley Community College

Physical Therapist:

A Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited university is required. Oregon universities that offer this degree are Pacific University and George Fox University.

Step 2: Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination
The National Physical Therapy Examination must be passed in order receive a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant license. An applicant can retake the exam a maximum of three times within any jurisdiction during a twelve month period.

Step 3: Obtain a Proper License
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants have the same application process for licensing:

  • Complete and submit the required application to the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board.
  • Endorsement for out-of-state Physical Therapy Assistants and Physical Therapists.
  • Proof of completion for the National Physical Therapy Examination.
  • Proof of degree via educational transcripts.

Step 4: Continuing Education

Physical Therapy Assistant:

Practitioner’s license must be renewed every year by completing 12 continuing education hours.

Physical Therapist:

Practitioner’s license must be renewed every year by completing 24 continuing education hours. Oregon based applicants can check out the Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board for pertinent information on becoming a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant.

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_800/oar_848/848_010.html
http://www.opta.org/
http://www.cocc.edu/cap/advising/physical-therapy-advising-resources/
https://www.lanecc.edu/hp/pta
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes312021.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291123.htm