How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Vermont

Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant in Vermont is a fantastic career choice if you enjoy helping people.

Physical Therapist Assistants lets you work in diverse settings and positively affect patients’ well-being by regaining mobility and enhancing people’s quality of life.

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of Physical Therapists while helping people recover from injuries or surgery.

PTAs assist with exercises, massages, and other therapeutic interventions, educating patients on proper techniques and documenting progress to support rehabilitation.

To become a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in Vermont, start by completing an accredited PTA program, usually by earning an associate degree.

After graduation, candidates take the National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs.

Afterward, candidates apply for state licensure.

Then, education requirements are crucial for maintaining licensure and staying current in the field.

You can keep up with changes in licensing regulations by contacting the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation.

How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Vermont

Earn a Degree from an Accredited Program

The Vermont Physical Therapy Advisory Committee asks you to complete an accredited physical therapist assistant associate’s degree program to become a licensed PTA.

Currently, no schools in Vermont offer programs that meet the requirements of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) requirements.

What this means to you is that students have to enroll in a program outside of Vermont.

Nearby physical therapist assistant schools can help you with CAPTE-accredited programs, which include campus locals in:

• Claremont, NH
• Canton, NY
• Manchester, NH
• Herkimer, NY
• Syracuse, NY

There are two kinds of qualifying degrees :

• Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assisting (AS)
• Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS)

Candidates planning to continue with a bachelor’s degree often earn AS degrees.

AAS programs help students prepare to work under the guidance of a physical therapist right after graduating.

Education takes place in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings.

The PTA associate’s degree program often includes a structure such as:

• Pre-Calculus Math
• Introduction to Rehabilitation
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Pathophysiological Conditions
• Clinical Kinesiology for PTA
• Abnormal Psychology
• Clinical Fieldwork I – IV

Your program involves about six weeks of a clinical internship with the opportunity to interact with patients and receive further hands-on instruction under the guidance of licensed physical therapists.

Apply for a Vermont PTA license

After completing your classroom and clinical education, the next step is registering for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs.

You’ll want to apply for licensure from the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (VOPR).

Start by submitting the license application. Candidates can apply for the license by exam or endorsement.

Application by exam is for those who have never been licensed in any state. To successfully apply, submit:

• Non-refundable $100 fee
• Verification of Education form (submitted directly from the institution)

Candidates in Vermont who are licensed in another jurisdiction must apply by endorsement.

Besides the license application form and applicable fees, please provide PT referrals and clinical hours from the other states where they’ve practiced.

Brief PTA licenses are only available for those applying by endorsement.

This allows applicants to practice in Vermont while their application is being considered.

You’ll need to provide a photocopy of your license in the state you’re currently licensed in and a $50 fee.

Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs

Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs.

The NPTE-PTA is a comprehensive examination that evaluates the professional qualifications of licensure candidates.

Exam eligibility criteria include:

• At most, two previous attempts were needed to take and pass the exam.
• After two attempts, candidates must complete remedial coursework.
• Fees paid
• Apply to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (VOPR)

Feel free to register for the exam at any point during the application process and sit the exam after the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation approves your application.

To register, visit the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) website.

There’s a $400 registration fee for the physical therapist assistant exam.

Start Your Career as a PTA in Vermont

Physical therapist assistants in Vermont have opportunities to work in various healthcare settings.

Hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers in Vermont always need skilled PTAs, and many physical therapist practices hire assistants to help patients in outpatient clinics, home health agencies, and assisted living facilities.

Salary

How much does a Physical Therapy Assistant in VT earn?

The annual average salary is $64,401, and the range is $58,100 and $71,000, depending on factors such as education, credentials, additional skills, and professional experience.