How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Idaho

The demand for physical therapists has gone up in recent years, especially since people are realizing the need for it more.

Physical therapy is extremely important after surgeries while recovering from injuries, and also while maintaining general flexibility in the body.

A PTA or Physical Therapy Assistant is someone who works under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and looks after patients and their needs.

They are an important part of the medical field and help people with illnesses and injuries to recuperate.

If you wish to place yourself in a high-paying career in the medical field, being a physical therapist assistant can be a good option.

Once you are done reading this article, you will be familiar with what steps to take to get into this line of work in Idaho.

Steps to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Idaho

The Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board is the organization that supervises the certification requirements for physical therapists in the state of Idaho.

To legally perform as a PTA in Idaho, you need to get licensed.

Let us see what steps you need to take to get a license.

Get Your Education

Before you can get an associate degree in physical therapy, the very first thing you need to do is complete your high school education.

Only after that can you go ahead and get a PTA degree.

The Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board states that candidates need to get a degree from an accredited PTA school.

In Idaho, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredits institutions in two regions, namely Pocatello and Boise.

Under this course, you will be equipped with both clinical experience and classwork.

This program will cover topics like professional ethics, medical terminology, clinical pathology, biomechanics, behavioral sciences, anatomy, and so on.

After the completion of the program, you will get the degree for a physical therapist assistant.

Get Certification

As mentioned before, you can operate as a physical therapist assistant in Idaho without a license.

Hence, the next step is to acquire your certification.

For that, you need to apply for an examination by the Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board.

Along with the filled-out form that you can find on their website, you also need to provide certain things such as a passport photo, a $65 fee, and official transcripts from the school where you got your degree.

You might be required to provide other documents as well, details of which you will find on the official website.

After that, the next thing you need to do is pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to become a physical therapist assistant in Idaho.

The board will go through your documents and decide if you are eligible for the exam.

If they determine that you are eligible, you will be able to sit for the NPTE exam, which is overlooked by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Keep in mind that before you become eligible, you need to sit for the jurisprudence exam and score at least 75%.

You need to wait for your approval from the Board.

Plus, remember that you need to pay a $400 fee for the exam.

The scale for the exam ranges from 200 to 800.

And, to pass the exam, you need to score at least 600.

Under the exam, you will be exposed to different topics such as safety and precaution, devices and equipment, professional ethics and responsibilities, and so on.

Renew the License

After you pass the exam, the Board will mail you the license card, after which you can start practicing as a physical therapist assistant in Idaho.

However, keep in mind that you also need to renew your license every once in a while.

In Idaho, you are required to renew your license every 12 months and you must finish 16 contact hours.

Continuing education is important when renewing your license since it shows that you are updated with the state laws and current industry standards.

You might be asked for proof of your continuing education by the Board.

Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Idaho

You need to complete your degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA school in Idaho.

To get the PTA license, you need to sit for the NPTE exam, which you can only be prepared for when you get a degree from one of these schools.

In Idaho, there are presently 2 PTA Schools that have been accredited by CAPTE. Let us go over your options.

Idaho State University

Idaho State University offers an associate degree in Physical Therapy education.

Under this course, you will learn about exercises for strength, muscle activity stimulation, the use of devices, and so on.

After the completion of this course, you will get career opportunities in physical therapy clinics, nursing facilities, school districts, hospitals, and more.

Carrington College

Another option you have is Carrington College, which will prepare students to operate in entry-level positions in this field.

After you are done with this program, you will be familiar with how to take care of patients and their impairments.

Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Idaho

The salary for physical therapy assistants in Idaho is $39,000 on average.

This number can change depending on multiple factors such as experience, skills, and region.

Regional Salary in Idaho