How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Utah

In Utah, physical therapy assistants have a rewarding career.

If you want to know more about the process, read on for this guide.

Earning the Physical Therapist Assistant License in Utah

In Utah, physical therapy assistants need to get licensed by the state’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing-Physical Therapy.

For that to happen, candidates should first enroll in a training program.

You will first have to get a Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree.

The program you decide to attend has to be approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and by the Division.

The clinics also require a background check, and sometimes CPR training.

During training, you will have to attend both theory classes and practice hours.

While you complete your clinical practice, you will be supervised by a licensed physical therapy assistant.

Theory hours feature classes such as:

• Human Anatomy
• Physical Disabilities
• Introduction to Physical Therapy
• Human Physiology
• Physical Therapy Procedures I and II
• Neurology and Pathology
• Kinesiology
• Therapeutic Exercise I and II
• Medical Office Management
• Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Therapy

You may have to attend about 14 weeks of clinical practice.

The practice hours are generally completed in a clinical setting.

In Utah, to get licensed, you have to first register for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for physical therapy assistants.

This exam is offered through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

The exam requires a fee of $400 and the following documents:

• Submit Physical Therapist Assistant Online Application
• Have school send official school transcripts
• Submit Letter of Completion (directly from your school)
• Send a recent 2×2 photograph
• Register to take the national exam with FSBPT
• Pass the jurisprudence exam
• Send $60 application fee

The papers need to be mailed to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing found in Salt Lake City.

You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from the FSBTP after your documents are reviewed and accepted.

After that, you can schedule your test with Prometric, which also requires a $70 fee.

The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapy assistants 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
• Neuro-muscular and Nervous Systems

The test has 200 questions, for which you have to get a score of at least 80% to pass.

Employment and Salary Information for Physical Therapist Assistants in Utah

According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, jobs in the field will increase by 49% from 2012 to 2022.

After getting a physical therapy certification, you can start looking for a job in one of the health centers in the state.

You can also choose to practice as an independent physical therapy assistant.

Some of the facilities hiring physical therapy assistants in Utah are:

• Bear River Valley Hospital in Tremonton
• Davis Hospital & Medical Center in Layton
• Logan Regional Hospital in Logan
• McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden
• Mission at Hillside Rehabilitation Center in Salt Lake City
• Redwood Health Center – University of Utah Health Care in Salt Lake City
• Registered Physical Therapists, Inc. in locations throughout Utah
• Salt Lake Regional Medical Center in Salt Lake City
• South Jordan Health Center – University of Utah Health Care in South Jordan
• Thatcher Brook Rehabilitation and Care Center in Clearfield
• The Orthopedic Speciality Hospital in Murray
• University Orthopaedic Center in Salt Lake City
• Utah Physical Therapy in West Haven and Lehi

In places like St. George and Salt Lake City, average salaries are higher.

Regional Salary in Utah

Additional Information for Physical Therapist Assistants in Utah

In Utah, your current physical therapy assistant license has to be renewed once a year.

The license can only be renewed if you take 2 extra hours of education.

Three of the training hours have to cover ethics and law.

Keep in mind you also have to pay a $47 fee in order to get your license renewed.

Physical Therapist Assistant Schools by State