What does a physical therapist assistant do?

Physical therapist assistants sometimes referred to as PTAs, work under the supervision of physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain resulting from an injury or illness. A PTA works directly with patients to help them complete exercises and therapies.

How long does it take to become a physical therapist assistant?

Carrington College’s Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree program can be completed in as few as 19 months.

What do you need to be a physical therapist assistant?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and to be licensed or certified.2 Licensure typically involves passing the National Physical Therapy Exam for physical therapist assistants. Some states require that applicants pass an exam on the state’s laws regulating the practice of physical therapist assistants.

What degree do you need to be a physical therapist assistant?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Medical Programs

Physical Therapist Assistant

Help patients regain movement and improve mobility with Carrington College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program. Learn to assist in rehabilitation treatments under the supervision of a physical therapist. Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are prepared for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs.

Program Details

What Will I learn

Carrington’s Physical Therapist Assistant program provides the skills and real-world experience to assist physical therapists in a variety of healthcare settings. Upon completion of the Physical Therapist Assistant program, graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate ability to document data collection, interventions, and patient/client responses.
Interact skillfully with patients, families, and other healthcare providers while promoting optimal outcomes.
Differentiate the appropriate actions to employ in emergency situations.
Exhibit the appropriate skills necessary to perform routine entry-level physical therapist assisting in a professional setting.
Demonstrate ethical behavior consistent with valuing the differences among patients, families, and other healthcare providers.

With real-world experience in a clinical setting and a focus on hands-on patient care, this program helps you prepare for entry-level PTA roles and the NPTE for PTA’s.

Student Costs

Carrington Las Vegas 2024 Student Financial Fact Sheet
Carrington Pleasant Hill 2024 Student Financial Fact Sheet

Cost & Financial Aid

Your education is an investment in your future, and Carrington College is here to help. We offer a variety of financial aid options, including federal, state, and private programs, Sas well as student loans, grants, and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Each program has different requirements and application instructions. Our team is here to guide you through the options and application process.

Academic Cost

For complete information on current tuition costs, please see the Academic Catalog.

Student Costs

Carrington Las Vegas 2024 Student Financial Fact Sheet
Carrington Pleasant Hill 2024 Student Financial Fact Sheet

Location Availability

Carrington College is proud to offer our Physical Therapist Assistant program at multiple locations around the Western U.S. To learn more about our locations, explore their pages.

Accreditation & Approvals

Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814; 415 506 0234 an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at accjc.org.

For comprehensive information on Carrington College’s accreditation and approvals, visit carrington.edu/accreditation-and-approvals/.

The Physical Therapist Assistant programs at the Las Vegas and Pleasant Hill campuses are accredited by the: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; telephone: 800 999 2782; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please contact the program director at each campus location: Las Vegas – William Dent 559 515 4957 or William.Dent@carrington.edu, Pleasant Hill – Natalie Bates 925 405 0622 or Natalie.Bates@carrington.edu.

Course Catalog

Program Specific Disclosures

Continuing Education For Graduates

Student Outcomes

Below is the Physical Therapist Assistant program outcome information for each location. The outcomes are graduation rate, first time licensure exam pass rate, ultimate licensure exam pass rate, and employment rate, all averaged over the most recent two years (2022-2023).

Program Location	Graduation Rate	First Time Licensure Exam Pass Rate	Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass Rate	Employment Rate
Las Vegas	85.7%	70.3%	91.9%	100%
Pleasant Hill	97.6%	75.0%	93.8%	96.9%

REAL WORLD SKILLS

With hands-on classes to guide you, you’re certain to be prepared for your career.

START YOUR PATH

Earn an Associate Degree and prepare for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs in as few as 19 months.*

FLEXIBLE LEARNING OPTIONS

Conveniently available at 2 of our Nevada and California campuses.

AFFORDABLE TUITION

Affordable tuition varies by program and location.

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Discover What It’s Like to Train to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant at Carrington College

Career Opportunities

Physical therapist assistants are essential to the direct care of patients while physical therapist aides usually help with indirect care such as setting up a treatment area.¹

Physical therapist assistants typically do the following:¹

Observe patients before, during, and after therapy, noting their status and reporting it to a physical therapist
Help patients do specific exercises as part of the plan of care
Treat patients using a variety of techniques, such as massage and stretching
Use devices and equipment, such as walkers, to help patients
Educate patients and family members about what to do after treatment

What Will I Learn?

Anatomy & Physiology

Clinical Kinesiology

Clinical Applications

Check out our guide on becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant.

Physical therapist assistants offer help and support to physical therapists in the care and treatment of individuals seeking greater mobility due to injury or illness. Under the direction and supervision of physical therapists, physical therapist assistants treat patients through exercise, massage, gait and balance training, and other therapeutic interventions. They record patients’ progress and report the results of each treatment to the physical therapist. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our career guide.

Physical Therapist Assistant FAQ

What does a physical therapist assistant do?

Physical therapist assistants sometimes referred to as PTAs, work under the supervision of physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain resulting from an injury or illness. A PTA works directly with patients to help them complete exercises and therapies.¹
How long does it take to become a physical therapist assistant?

Carrington College’s Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree program can be completed in as few as 19 months.²
What do you need to be a physical therapist assistant?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and to be licensed or certified.² Licensure typically involves passing the National Physical Therapy Exam for physical therapist assistants. Some states require that applicants pass an exam on the state’s laws regulating the practice of physical therapist assistants.
What degree do you need to be a physical therapist assistant?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all states require physical therapist assistants to have an associate degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.²

Sources:

*Carrington College prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program. To work as a physical therapist assistant in California, graduates must also pass the California Law Examination (CLE), which relates to the practice of physical therapy.