Working as a physical therapist in Michigan is an exciting career path that can lead you in different directions as you progress.
Your job is to help patients lead a normal life as much as they can and to help them manage their pain.
Below is an easy-to-read guide on becoming a physical therapist assistant in Michigan that you might find useful if you consider a job in the field.
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Step By Step Guide to Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant in Michigan
You must have a license and certification degree to start working as a physical therapist assistant.
The steps below help you understand what you need to get started.
- Complete your PTA degree course
- Apply to get your license
- Gain your national physical therapy examination
- After working in the field for two years, you will need to renew your license
National Physical Therapy Examination
You need to pass this examination to gain your license to work as a physical therapy assistant in the Michigan area.
You can book the exam on the State Boards of Physical Therapy.
There is a fee of $400 to complete the exam, and if you fail, another fee is needed to re-sit the test.
If you pass and receive permission to take the test, you will receive a confirmation authorization test by mail or email.
License Exam
You will need to fill out the license application form and pass it before you can begin work as a physical therapist in Michigan.
The cost of the exam is $135.
The exam includes the jurisprudence exam, which is mandatory before starting work.
There are 25 questions in the exam, and you must get 19 correct answers to pass.
You will get your confirmation letter with your customer ID in a few weeks.
You need to keep this number safe as you will need it when you need to do a criminal background check.
Renewing Your License
The first year you obtain your license, you will need to renew it 12 months after obtaining it, and then, after that, it will need to be renewed every two years.
You don’t have to reapply; the board will organize a new form to send you 2-3 months before your license expires.
The form will explain what you need to do. It is the only ongoing regulation you must do as a physical therapist assistant.
Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Michigan
Baker College of Allen Park
Baker College offers a physical therapist assistant course that is a hands-on course that helps to get you ready to work in the field.
You gain skills, knowledge, and education to help those needing physical therapy due to many things like immune diseases, spinal accidents, or deformities.
You will give patients therapeutic exercises, fill out documentation, and work alongside other doctors to determine what is best for the patient.
The course lasts two years; during that time, you will have hands-on work experience in a clinical or home setting.
Delta College
Delta College has a wonderful program that covers everything you need to know about physical therapy and how to perform your job role to the best of your ability.
The course is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy, which is of high standard and meets the training and education requirements.
The program goes for four semesters in a classroom setting. You will gain 12 credits each semester and must study the course full-time.
You will complete a certain number of hours outside of the classroom in the field, whether in the home setting, hospital, or outpatient clinic.
There are over 100 settings you can choose to do, and you can break it up and do some hours here and there at different facilities.
Kellogg Community College
Kellogg Community College has a great physical therapy assistant course that offers a more detailed look into the treatment protocol and the conditions that need to be treated.
You will gain an understanding of the machinery that is used while undergoing both classroom learning and hands-on work experience.
When completing work experience, you will work alongside a physical therapist and attend treatment sessions with patients where you can learn about the conditions and the right treatment plan for that individual.
The cost is $27 per credit, with a fee of $9 for student services and a technology cost of $18 per credit hour.
You have two options: pay in full before the course starts or take out a payment plan and pay throughout the course.
The course runs over two years and needs to be completed full-time. Each course will begin at the beginning of fall.
Other Courses to Consider to Complete Your Physical Therapy Assistant Course
Mid Michigan Community College
Mott Community College
Henry Ford College
Washtenaw Community College
Macomb Community College
Top 8 Schools in Michigan
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Baker College of Allen Park | 4500 Enterprise Dr, Allen Park, MI 48101, United States |
| Delta College | 1961 Delta Rd, University Center, MI 48710, United States |
| Kellogg Community College | 450 North Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49017, United States |
| Mid Michigan Community College | 1375 S Clare Ave, Harrison, MI 48625, United States |
| Mott Community College | 1401 E Court St, Flint, MI 48503, United States |
| Henry Ford College | 5101 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI 48128, United States |
| Washtenaw Community College | 4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, United States |
| Macomb Community College | 14500 Twelve Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48088, United States |
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Michigan:
The average salary for working as a physical therapy assistant in the Michigan area is $63,801.
The pay ranges from $58,101 to $69,901.
It will depend on the qualifications you have, your skills, your experience, and the setting in which you are working.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Physical Therapist Assistants in Michigan
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $64,401 |
| Grand Rapids | $61,701 |
| Warren | $64,401 |
| Flint | $59,301 |
| Sterling Heights | $64,201 |
| Lansing | $61,601 |
| Ann Arbor | $65,701 |
| Livonia | $64,201 |
| Dearborn | $64,401 |
| Westland | $64,801 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 110 | $65,340 | $31.41 | $79,370 | $47,540 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 50 | $56,260 | $27.05 | $62,020 | $49,380 |
| Bay City, MI | 40 | $54,970 | $26.43 | $62,160 | $48,030 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 1,160 | $57,520 | $27.66 | $74,050 | $30,980 |
| Flint, MI | 120 | $55,030 | $26.46 | $64,620 | $29,950 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 510 | $64,030 | $30.78 | $73,730 | $50,590 |
| Jackson, MI | 40 | $58,600 | $28.17 | $72,200 | $44,800 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 90 | $59,020 | $28.37 | $80,050 | $39,810 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 80 | $59,850 | $28.77 | $69,880 | $40,520 |
| Muskegon, MI | 50 | $59,540 | $28.63 | $71,230 | $47,110 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 30 | $57,680 | $27.73 | $69,070 | $44,270 |
| Saginaw, MI | 50 | $61,370 | $29.5 | $105,760 | $36,840 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does the Job Outlook Look Like For a Physical Therapist Assistant in Michigan?
There is plenty of job security in this industry.
In 2014, 3,700 physical therapist assistants were working within the Michigan area, which is likely to increase by 26.1%.
That amounts to 137 jobs each year over ten years.
What Skills Do I Need For a Physical Therapist Assistant in Michigan
You need many skills to work as a physical therapist; the more, the better.
These are the main ones employees and patients like to see:
- Physical stamina
- Compassion
- Good communication
- Good listener
- Observation skills
- Multitasking skills
- Know how to use exercise equipment
- Positive attitude
- Educating patients
- Engagement
- Documentation
- Treatment planning
What Do the Career Opportunities Look Like As A Physical Therapist Assistant in Michigan?
Licensed people can seek work in nursing homes, private clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation settings.
You can work your way up to becoming a physical therapist or a teacher and educate those looking to become a physical therapist.
You can branch off to do many things once you have received your physical therapist assistant certificate and license.
