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You can easily become a physical therapy assistant in Colorado.
You will need to undergo training and get a certification before getting hired.
So, check out the requirements of how you can get the needed credentials.
Article Table of Contents
Becoming a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in Colorado
First of all, you will need to join a training program.
The program has to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
This will help you develop the required skills to get licensed.
The best way to get your diploma is to pursue an associate’s degree.
The programs you can attend in Colorado include:
- Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS)
- Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (AS)
- Associate of Occupational Studies in Physical Therapist Assistant
Keep in mind that these programs have a duration of about 2 years.
Some of the subjects you will study in class include:
- Pediatrics and Gerontology
- Kinesiology
- Electronic Health Records
- Anatomy and physiology
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Behavioral sciences
- Professional ethics
- Medical Terminology
- Therapeutic Documentation for the PTA
- Exercise physiology
- Applied neuroscience
- Clinical pathology
- Biomechanics
Students will join theory classes but also hours of clinical practice.
After you finish your program, you can apply to get your physical therapy assistant license.
In order to get licensed, you have to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs, through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
You will have to submit the following documents to the board:
- Your schooling experience
- Work history information
- Schedule the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs
- Passport sized picture
- $57 application fee
- Copy of your school transcripts
If you want to complete the licensing process faster, you can apply for the exam 3 months before finishing your degree.
After you send in your application, you need to make a Healthcare Professional’s Profile with Colorado’s Health Care Professions Profiling Program (HPPP).
This registration is a requirement for those working in health care in Colorado.
To get the practicing license, you have to take the NPTE-PTA exam.
This exam has to be passed with a score of at least 600.
To take the exam, you have to schedule it at any of the Prometric centers in your region.
You will also have to pay a fee of $60 for the exam.
The test is open book, and includes some of the below topics:
- Therapeutic Modalities
- Equipment and Devices
- Safety and Protection
- Interventions
- Professional Responsibilities
- PT Data Collection
You can prepare for the test by studying the NPTE Candidate Handbook.
You can also use an online practicing test and assessment tool.
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Information
After you get your license, you can get hired by one of the many medical health centers in the state.
In Colorado, the best places to get hired are Denver, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs.
Larger areas offer better salaries and increased work opportunities.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $56,494 |
| Colorado Springs | $55,600 |
| Aurora | $56,456 |
| Fort Collins | $54,382 |
| Thornton | $56,494 |
| Arvada | $56,494 |
| Westminster | $56,494 |
| Pueblo | $51,807 |
| Boulder | $57,226 |
| Greeley | $54,591 |
Regional Salary in Colorado
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 100 | $64,990 | $31.25 | $77,050 | $39,170 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 330 | $62,080 | $29.84 | $78,160 | $48,340 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 670 | $67,860 | $32.62 | $88,800 | $51,380 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 90 | $67,690 | $32.54 | $87,830 | $49,240 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 50 | $64,520 | $31.02 | $83,280 | $45,940 |
| Greeley, CO | 50 | $63,940 | $30.74 | $93,600 | $42,980 |
| Pueblo, CO | 120 | $60,890 | $29.27 | $77,050 | $34,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Some of the health centers in Colorado include:
- Action Potential in Colorado Springs
- Colorado Athletic Conditioning in Parker
- Colorado Physical Therapy Institute in Broomfield
- Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists in Fort Collins
- Colorado Spine Therapy LLC in Denver
- HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Colorado Springs
- Memorial Hospital Adult Outpatient Rehabilitation at New Center Point in Colorado Springs
- North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley
- Nursing & Therapy Services-Co Inc. in Colorado Springs
- Anthony Outpatient Rehabilitation in Lakewood
- Total Function Physical Therapy in Colorado Springs
- University of Colorado Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Aurora
Usually, if you have more experience you will get a better job in the field.
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment predicts a growth of 3.9% in PTA jobs.
This was calculated between the 2014 and 2024 period.
Additional Information for Physical Therapy Assistants in Colorado
In order to be able to keep working, you need to get your license renewed once at 2 years.
Before that, you have to take some extra education hours.
The classes will be a part of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program.
This program is offered to all health therapists in Colorado.
You will have to complete the following requirements:
- A reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT)
- Creating a learning plan
- Professional Development Activities (PDA) of 30 points
Once in a decade, you will also have to complete the Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (AKS).
In order to learn more about licensing and requirements, you can check out the site of the Colorado-Department of Regulatory Agencies-Physical Therapy Licensure Office.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant Schools by State