The current requirement to become a licensed physical therapist is a doctorate degree. This
means we must first obtain a bachelor’s degree (typically takes 4 years). Our bachelor’s degree can
be in anything as long as we have a handful of prerequisite courses, but some common majors
include kinesiology, exercise science, and health science with a focus in pre-physical therapy. After
obtaining a bachelor’s degree, we then have to be admitted to a doctoral program, which is an
additional 3-4 years of schooling, pending on the program. This is where we obtain our doctorate in
physical therapy (DPT). There are actually less than 10 DPT programs in the state of Michigan, and
some only take about 35 students/year, so it is very competitive to get into. During the DPT
program we take courses in every aspect of PT- orthopedics, pediatrics, cardiovascular, neuro,
geriatrics, etc. We also must complete clinical hours where we are in the clinic working full-time
under the guidance of a licensed PT. Once we graduate, we then have to take a board exam to
become nationally licensed. Additionally, we take a jurisprudence exam, which is specific to the
state you want to practice in to review the specific laws that can vary by state. So, in order to
become a licensed PT, we go through about 7.5 years of school!
This wasn’t always the requirement, though. The requirement was initially only a bachelor’s
degree. In the early 2000’s a master’s degree (2 years in addition to a 4-year bachelor’s) became
more common. In 2016, though, it became required to have a doctorate degree. There are still PT’s
practicing under various degrees- that is why the credentials after our name are listed as “First &
last name PT, DPT” – PT indicating licensed physical therapist, DPT indicating the degree we
obtained to become licensed.
In addition to our doctorate degrees, every PT who works at OMPT Specialists also obtains a
graduate certificate in orthopedic manual physical therapy. This is an additional 2-year program we
complete on the weekends while working full-time during the week. In the OMPT program at
Oakland University, we dive deeper into advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques to better
understand and alleviate musculoskeletal conditions. So, in total, that is 9.5 years of school!
Sometimes patients are surprised to learn about our qualifications and requirements to do
what we do. Rest assured, our extensive education makes us highly qualified to treat your pain! So,
be sure to turn on Taylor’s new album while doing your prescribed home exercises and know you
are in the right place to get back to living life stronger & pain-free!