Becoming a Sports Physical Therapy is more than just a job—it’s a way of life. To become a sports physical therapist, you will need to complete an undergraduate degree in kinesiology or physical therapy and then complete an internship. Once you’ve completed these prerequisites, you can apply for licensure as a physical therapist.
After completing your internship, it’s important to go on for additional training as well as continuing education courses. In order to become licensed, you’ll need to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which consists of 300 multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of clinical practice guidelines, anatomy, pathophysiology, and pharmacology.
Once you’ve become licensed as a physical therapist, there are many different ways that you can continue your career path in sports medicine or other health care fields like orthopedics or neurology.
How To Become A Sports Physical Therapy
1. Complete your undergraduate degree
To begin your career as a physical therapist, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as biology, exercise science or athletic training. Look for ways to enhance your coursework through internships in sports medical facilities. Consider volunteering for college athletic programs or in physical therapy centers.
Read more: The Best Undergraduate Majors for Physical Therapy
2. Earn your graduate degree in physical therapy
To practice as a physical therapist, you’ll need to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. You can enter into a DPT program directly after earning a bachelor’s degree, however, some programs may require specific undergraduate prerequisites. Your DPT program should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. These programs last about three years and focus on both physical therapy instruction and clinical practice.
Related: Q&A: Is Becoming a Physical Therapist Worth It?
3. Obtain a license as a physical therapist
Upon graduation from a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, you can take the licensing exam in the state where you plan to practice. After you pass the National Physical Therapy Exam, you can begin working as a licensed physical therapist in order to gain the experience necessary to train in a specialized area like sports.
4. Gain experience in sports medicine
The next step to begin a career as a sports physical therapist is to work in the field of sports therapy. You’ll need to earn at least 2,000 hours of work experience caring for patients in a sports therapy facility or complete a recognized residency program in a similar medical center. Look for resources and career placement services through your Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
5. Get certified in emergency medical care and CPR
To qualify for the exam that certifies you to practice sports physical therapy, you’ll need to take courses in CPR and emergency care. You can earn a CPR certification by enrolling in a training program from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
Emergency medical training is a more complex process. You can earn a certification in emergency medical care in the following ways:
- By prior training as a certified EMT or Paramedic
- Through a Red Cross training program
- As a Certified Athletic Trainer licensed by the National Athletic Trainers Association
6. Take the certification exam for sports physical therapy
Once you have all the prerequisite training and experience, you can test for the sports specialization exam offered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Before you take the assessment, it may be helpful to join the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). As a member of the APTA, you can take the test at a discounted rate. The ABPTS provides guidelines on test preparation and registration along with suggestions on how to prepare for the examination.
