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In Montana, the physical therapy assistant jobs increase more every year.
If you feel this is your calling, read on in order to learn more about how you can start your career.
Article Table of Contents
Earning Your License as a Physical Therapist Assistant
In Montana, a physical therapy assistant has to get a license in order to get a job.
The license is issued only by the Montana Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
The best way to get certification fast is to get a Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degree.
Such a degree is available through universities, where you can follow a program.
This program, however, should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and by the Board.
Getting an associate’s degree generally takes about 2 years.
During this time, you will attend hours of theory and practice.
The practical hours will take place in a clinic and requires between 11 and 14 credits.
You will also be required to get a background check before you practice
The classes you will attend feature the topics below:
- Medical Diseases
- Basic Emergency Patient Care
- Kinesiology
- Applied Neurology
- Orthopedic Pathology
- Physical Therapy Fundamentals
- Medical Terminology
- Clinical Experience I (2 weeks)
- Rehabilitation
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Pediatrics and Gerontology
- Clinical Seminar
- Clinical Experience II (2 weeks)
- Clinical Experience III (14 weeks)
After you receive your associate’s degree, you can start preparing the documents required for certification.
You will also have to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs, provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
The required documents are:
- Examination application
- Activities statement form
- Verification of licensure form (if necessary)
- Certificate of professional education form
- Temporary licensure agreement to supervise form
- Authorization for release of medical records
- Jurisprudence examination
- $100 application fee
- Official transcripts
- Original 3×5 photograph
The documents have to be sent to the Montana Board of Physical Therapy Examiners located in Helena.
To get a physical therapist certification, you will have to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs.
The test is available through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
The exam has 200 questions and lasts for about 4 hours.
This is an open-book test and features subjects like:
- Physical Therapy Data Collection
- Interventions
- Diseases and Conditions
- Equipment and Devices
- Therapeutic Modalities
- Safety and Protection
- Metabolic & Endocrine Systems
- Gastrointestinal System
- Genitourinary System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Neuromuscular & Nervous Systems
You will have to pay a fee of $400 to take the exam, along with a $70 Prometric fee.
You can also choose to get a temporary license before you get the permanent one issued.
The cost of getting a temporary license is $100.
You can also get ready for the test by reading the candidate handbook provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
In Montana, you will need to take a jurisprudence exam as well.
You have to get 90% in this exam to get your license issued.
The jurisprudence test entails 25 questions on Montana State Physical Therapy Laws and Regulations.
Physical therapy assistant licenses are usually issued after 21 days.
If you are unable to pass the exams the first time, you can take them again.
However, you will have to pay a $25.00 fee every time you retake it.
Physical Therapist Assistant Employment and Salary Information
The biggest companies you can apply to work for in Montana include:
- Aureus Medical Group – Missoula
- Bridger Orthopedic and Sports Medicine/Freestone Rehabilitation – Bozeman
- Innovative Rehabilitation – Missoula
- MTX Therapy Services – Plains
- Genesis Rehabilitation Services – Deer Lodge
- Advanced Care Hospital of Montana – Billings
- Infinity MedStaff – Plains
- Peter’s Hospital – Helena
- SYNERTX Rehabilitation – Bozeman
After you get your license, you can work in any hospital, clinic, or health center.
The more experience you have the higher your salary will be.
Bigger regions in Montana also offer increased job opportunities.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Billings | $53,499 |
| Missoula | $46,170 |
| Great Falls | $48,433 |
| Bozeman | $46,170 |
| Butte | $46,170 |
| Helena | $47,008 |
| Kalispell | $49,057 |
| Havre | $47,595 |
| Anaconda | $46,170 |
| Miles City | $52,661 |
Regional Salary in Montana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 60 | $55,510 | $26.69 | $67,330 | $35,240 |
| Great Falls, MT | 40 | $60,160 | $28.92 | $67,500 | $49,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Physical Therapist Assistant License Renewal Information
In Montana, your physical therapy assistant license expires every year on the last day of March.
So, you need to get it renewed before that date.
You can apply for renewal either in person or online.
You will also have to take 30 extra hours of education to get your license renewed.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant Schools by State