How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Ohio

Physical therapist assistants in the state of Ohio work under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

They perform duties that may help patients to reduce their pain and improve their movement abilities.

They often use specialized treatment equipment under the physical therapist’s supervision.

Excellent job growth and a good salary are some reasons that many Ohio residents become physical therapist assistants.

State law requires the completion of several steps before applicants can obtain their license.

How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Ohio

Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules, Chapter 4755 describes the regulations and the steps that a person must take to work as a physical therapist assistant in the state of Ohio.

Applicants must complete the educational requirements.

They must pass the required exams to apply for a physical therapist assistant license.

Complete the Education Requirements

Physical therapist assistant applicants in Ohio are required to complete an accredited physical therapist assistant program.

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) provides accreditation for Ohio’s physical therapist assistant programs.

Schools that offer physical therapist assistant programs may require students to complete prerequisites before they are accepted into the program.

Sit for and Pass the Required Exams

The Ohio Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Athletic Trainers Board approves all applicants to become eligible to obtain licensure in Ohio.

Section 4755.431 of the Ohio Revised Codes requires graduates of an accredited physical therapist assistant program to pass the Ohio Jurisprudence Examination.

They must also pass the National Physical Therapy Examination.

Comply with License Renewal Requirements

Physical therapist assistants in Ohio are required to renew their licenses every two years.

They must complete a renewal application and submit the license renewal fee.

The physical therapist assistant license expires on the renewal date for anyone who has not completed the renewal process by that date.

Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Ohio

Many Ohio colleges have physical therapist assistant programs.

Schools may change their tuition rates at any time.

Edison State Community College

Edison State Community College offers a Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science program at the Troy, Ohio location.

The program prepares graduates to be competent, knowledgeable, and service-oriented patient providers.

Courses include Introduction to Physical Therapist Assisting, Modality Intervention in Practice, and Neurological Rehabilitation.

Students also complete clinical practicums.

Tuition for the 65-credit, five-semester program is $10,095.80.

Stark State College

Students who want to enroll in the Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science program at Stark State College must meet eligibility requirements, including passing a criminal background check.

Courses in the two-year, 67-credit program include Principles of Patient Care, Data Collection, and Introduction to Orthopedics.

Students also complete clinical experiences.

The tuition is $194.60 per credit hour for Ohio residents.

Kent State Ashtabula

The Kent State – Ashtabula Physical Therapist Assistant Technology program combines lectures, labs, seminars, and practicum courses.

The Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Technology program prepares students to take the required state exams.

Sample courses in the 65-credit program include Principles of Patient Care in Physical Therapy, Physical Rehabilitation Procedures, and Physical Therapist Assistant Management of the Medically Complex Patient.

The tuition is $325.80 per credit hour.

Clark State College

Clark State College offers a two-year Physical Therapist Assistant program.

The Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant program accepts 36 students each year.

The curriculum combines classroom learning with clinical experiences.

Students take courses such as Muscle Anatomy and Biomechanics, Physical Therapist Assistant Procedures, and Physical Therapist Assistant Directed Practice.

The estimated annual tuition for Ohio residents is $4,463.

Cuyahoga Community College

The Cuyahoga Community College Physical Therapy Assisting Technology program accepts 24 students each year.

Students start the Associate of Applied Science program in the fall semester.

Featuring a new, fully equipped lab space, and opportunities to engage in real-world experiences, students learn to safely administer treatment interventions under the supervision of a physical therapist.

They also learn the scope of practice for a physical therapist assistant.

Courses include Functional Anatomy, Fundamentals of Physical Therapy, and Clinical Pathophysiology.

Tuition is $124.54 per credit hour.

Out-of-county residents pay $154.08 per credit hour.

University of Cincinatti – Clermont

The University of Cincinnati – Clermont offers an Associate of Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant program.

The component with the heaviest program acceptance weight is the student’s performance on a standardized health sciences aptitude exam.

Students also apply for acceptance into the second-year technical core.

Tuition is $244 per credit hour.

Rhodes State College

Rhodes State College offers an Associate of Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant degree.

The program trains students to work as competent physical therapist assistants through a combination of classroom courses, technical skills, and clinical experiences.

Courses include Functional Anatomy for the Physical Therapist Assistant, Functional Neurorehabilitation, and Clinical Application.

Tuition is $190 per credit hour for Ohio residents.

Lakeland Community College

Sit for exams after completing the Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assisting program at Lakeland Community College.

Students learn to provide physical therapy assistant care to patients across the lifespan.

Program courses include Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology, PTA Interventions, and Pathophysiology.

Lake County residents pay $147.80 per-credit-hour tuition.

Out-of-county residents pay $176.10 per credit hour tuition.

Lorain County Community College

The Lorain County Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program starts in the fall semester.

The curriculum combines classroom courses with clinical practicums.

Courses include Physical Therapy Assisting Procedures, Rehabilitation Principles, and Clinical Practicums.

Tuition is $159.03 for county residents, and $184.21 for out-of-county residents.

Sinclair College

The Associate of Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant program at Sinclair College prepares students to provide physical therapy assistant services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Students learn communication skills, value-based professional behaviors, and professional skills.

Tuition for the 65-credit program is $136.03 per credit hour.

Marion Technical College

Marion Tech offers a two-year, full-time Physical Therapist Assistant program.

Students learn through traditional courses and clinical experiences.

The school offers students the opportunity to earn the Exercise Science Certificate or the Healthcare Management Certificate simultaneously with their associate degree.

Tuition is $205 per credit hour.

Mercer County Community College

The Associate in Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant program at Mercer County Community College recently changed to include five professional terms instead of four professional phase terms.

Students move through the curriculum as a cohort.

Students complete lectures, labs, and clinical experiences.

Tuition is $211.75 for Mercer County residents, and $268.05 for out-of-county residents.

Owens Community College

The Owens Community College Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree program includes classroom learning and 18 weeks of clinical rotations.

Courses include Musculoskeletal Dysfunction, Language of Medicine, and PTA Directed Practice.

Tuition is $172.50 for Ohio residents.

Shawnee State University

The Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree program at Shawnee State University includes five semesters of coursework and clinical experiences.

Students also perform 40 hours of job shadowing.

Courses include Physical Therapist Assistant Procedures, and Neurology and Rehabilitation Concepts.

Tuition is $400.90 per credit hour

Salary

The median salary for physical therapist assistants in Ohio is $62,401.

The setting where a physical therapist assistant works may affect their salary.

The city where they work also affects their salary.

The average salary for physical therapist assistants in Cleveland is $62.801. It is $61,101 in Akron.

Regional Salary in Ohio