1. Steps In Getting Physical Therapy Continuing Education
Physical therapists work every day with people suffering from everything from a bruised hip to combat
trauma. As a result, physical therapy continuing education is critical in keeping up to date on the
latest therapies.
Selecting a Speciality
As with many things today, the term PT encompasses a broad range of disciplines. So, in looking at
physical therapy continuing education, you really have to focus or one or two areas. You can take
classes in athletic training, massage therapy, occupational therapy, special education, and then
speech and language therapy. Under occupational, you can further specialize in helping people
recover from severe trauma. This can include vehicular accidents and military injuries. There are also
geriatric and paediatric specialities; the former helps the aged, and the latter deals with children.
Checking Your State's Requirements
Every state has varying degrees of requirements as to physical therapy continuing education. As a
physical therapist, you'll be licensed by the state, and can check with their department of professional
regulation to see what those rules are. In some cases, classes are required to be taken yearly, others
every two years; some classes can be taken online, and with others you have to appear in person.
Also, the state's website can give you a list of approved continuing education providers.
The Four Forms of Physical Therapy Continuing Education
As of 2000, a bachelor's degree was declared to not be enough to practice in this field; a master's or
doctorate is required, and there are four ways to earn either. With the master's degree, you can either
get a direct entry or a transitional. The former is if you have a bachelor's degree in another subject
and you want to switch to PT, and it generally lasts two years. The latter is if your bachelor's is in PT,
and is often completed in a year. The doctorate is the same way - direct and transitional - and it
applies in the same manner.
Online Classes
With physical therapy continuing education, it's hard to believe that some classes could be offered
online - as it is a hands-on profession. However, there are classes related to the non-physical therapy
aspects of the profession that you can take this way. You can learn about reimbursement policies,
dealing with managed care (HMO's), professional ethics, and fraud and abuse. Then there are some
physical courses that also don't require you to practice on a live patient. You can study the anatomy
of various areas of the body, and learn about skin lesions and their treatment. Depending on the
requirements of your state, these forms of physical therapy continuing education may be enough.
Check with the Association
The American Physical Therapy Association can be helpful in dealing with physical therapy
continuing education. Their website - apta.org - has a plethora of information about the various
educational programs available - both online and at colleges near you. They can also advise you as
to dealing with state regulators to insure they accept the classes you take.

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