Physical Therapist Education and Training

A physical therapist is a licensed professional with a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program who has successfully completed a state licensure examination.

Besides licensed physical therapists, there are other types of PTs. The initials listed below help to explain the most common credentials in the physical therapy profession.

• DPT is a PT with a doctoral degree in physical therapy.

• MPT or MSPT is a PT with a master's degree in physical therapy.

• PTA is a Physical Therapy Assistant. A PTA has an associate degree and meets state requirements.

• FAPTA is a Fellow of the American Physical Therapy Association. These PTs often have advanced degrees and/or have made advances in the profession.

• Cert. MDT or Dip. MDT is a credential McKenzie Method® practitioner.

Some physical therapists pursue advanced training and certification in areas such as cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatric, neurologic, orthopaedic, pediatric, and sports.