The US Department of Labor estimates that Kentucky has the sixth highest concentration of physical therapist assistant jobs in the entire country.
Kentucky Labor Market Information (LMI) states that there is a growing demand for physical therapist assistant (PTA) jobs, and an average of 94 PTA positions are available every year.
PTAs in Kentucky enjoy several job opportunities and benefits which makes this profession lucrative.
Read on to learn the things you should know if you want to become a physical therapist assistant in Kentucky.
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How to Become a Physical Therapist in Kentucky: Step-by-Step Approach
To practice as a physical therapist assistant in Kentucky, you need to obtain a license through the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy.
You can achieve this by following the steps below.
Get Your Physical Therapist Assistant Degree
The first step is to enroll in an accredited school that offers a two-year degree program in Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS).
You must have a high school diploma or equivalent to be accepted in a PTA school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and approved by the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy.
The PTA program covers classroom-based coursework and clinical training. Your coursework includes the following subjects:
- Neurology Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy
- Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical & Surgical Conditions in Physical Therapy
- Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology
- Modalities & Procedures in Physical Therapy
The PTA program also involves clinical training equivalent to 520 contact hours, where the student is exposed to different clinical settings like hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient centers to gain hands-on experience.
Apply for PTA Licensing by Examination
Your next step is to apply for licensing to the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy.
The board is responsible for licensure and approves your sitting for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
The processing fee for your application is $200.
Pass the National Exams
Once your application has been approved, you must pass the Kentucky Jurisprudence and national examinations.
You need to get the right materials to prepare for your exams.
These exams are written at different centers, but you can practice online.
One must obtain at least 600 credits to pass the exam.
You can also apply for temporary licensing so you can work as a PTA under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist while you wait for your NPTE-PTA exam.
The temporary permit is valid for six months.
Start Your Journey as a PTA in Kentucky
Once you pass your exam and obtain a license from the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy, you can look for a job as a physical therapist assistant.
Kentucky offers several job opportunities for PTAs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and outpatient clinics.
Maintain Your Physical Therapist Assistant License
Be sure to renew your license, which expires on March 31 every year.
You can renew the license online, and you need to meet several requirements including the completion of 20 hours of Continued Competency Credits, complete an online jurisprudence exam, and get an approved course on HIV/AIDS.
The Kentucky Physical Therapy Association (KPTA) approves competency courses.
Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Kentucky
There are six accredited Physical Therapy Assistant schools in Kentucky which include the following:
Hazard Community & Technical College
The tuition for online students and full-time students is the same.
Students are supposed to complete the same credits to pass their two-year degree program.
In-state students are expected to pay a total of $16.092 while out-of-state students must pay $19,502.
Likewise, the degree program takes two years to complete.
Jefferson Community and Technical College
All students admitted to this program need two years to complete this degree.
The course consists of about 26 to 29 credit hours for general education courses and PTA core courses of 40 credit hours.
Students are expected to pay around $5000 to complete the program.
Maysville Community and Technical College
Complete your course in two years or around five semesters.
The program is estimated to cost around $14,000.
Students also have the option of studying online but need to complete the same number of credits as full-time students.
Madisonville Community College
Students are expected to complete the Associate in Applied Science in two years.
The first three semesters include the technical component of the program.
Students need to pay between $9,000 and $13,000 to complete the degree program.
Somerset Community College
To complete this two-year degree program, you must first complete 26-30 hours of general education coursework as well as 38 hours of technical coursework that is program-specific.
Students must pay between $16,000 and $21,000 depending on where they live.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
You should expect to pay between $16,000 and $19,000 tuition to complete this two-year degree program.
Students must complete 12 credit hours every semester.
Students must pay $179 per credit hour for online courses at this institution.
Top 6 Schools in Kentucky
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Hazard Community & Technical College | 1 Community College Dr, Hazard, KY 41701, United States |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College | 109 E Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202, United States |
| Maysville Community and Technical College | 1755 U.S. 68 Business, Maysville, KY 41056, United States |
| Madisonville Community College | 2000 College Dr, Madisonville, KY 42431, United States |
| Somerset Community College | 808 Monticello St, Somerset, KY 42501, United States |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | 4810 Alben Barkley Dr, Paducah, KY 42001, United States |
Salary for Physical Therapist Assistant in Kentucky
A physical therapist assistant in Kentucky earns an average salary of $61,500.
The salary range falls between $56,000 and $67,000.
The salary earned by a PTA in Kentucky is determined by factors like location, experience, education, and additional skills.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Physical Therapist Assistants in Kentucky
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Lexington | $59,701 |
| Louisville | $60,401 |
| Owensboro | $59,801 |
| Bowling Green | $57,701 |
| Covington | $62,301 |
| Hopkinsville | $57,301 |
| Frankfort | $58,201 |
| Henderson | $60,201 |
| Richmond | $59,101 |
| Campton | $59,201 |
Regional Salary in Kentucky
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 120 | $61,340 | $29.49 | $78,910 | $26,360 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY | 60 | $55,070 | $26.48 | $76,690 | $28,520 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 230 | $60,650 | $29.16 | $82,170 | $28,040 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 510 | $59,370 | $28.54 | $79,660 | $21,110 |
| Owensboro, KY | 100 | $61,550 | $29.59 | $78,190 | $47,870 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Bottom Line
Becoming a physical therapist assistant in Kentucky is a rewarding career.
By following the steps above, you can start your journey as a physical therapist assistant.
This career is both rewarding and fulfilling since it comes with unlimited job opportunities and a competitive salary.
More importantly, you only need two years to complete your PTA program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to become a physical therapist assistant in Kentucky?
You must have a high school diploma or GED to be eligible to enroll in a CAPTE-accredited school.
Upon completing your two-year degree program, you must apply for a license.
You need to first write an exam to qualify for the license.
When can you work as a physical therapist assistant in Kentucky?
Kentucky offers numerous job opportunities for PTAs.
You can work in a healthcare setting such as a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or sports clinic.
How often should I renew my PTA license in Kentucky?
All accredited PTAs must renew their licenses annually.
The license expires on March 31 every year.
