Editing Physical therapy (section)

==Education==
{{Main|Physical therapy education}}
Educational criteria for physical therapy providers vary from state to state, country to country, and among various levels of professional responsibility. Most [[U.S. state]]s have [[physical therapy practice act]]s that recognize both physical therapists (PT) and physical therapist assistants (PTA) and some jurisdictions also recognize physical therapy technicians (PT Techs) or aides. Most countries have licensing bodies that require physical therapists to be member of before they can start practicing as independent professionals.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Canada===
{{more citations needed section|date=July 2018}}

The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators |url=https://alliancept.org/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=alliancept.org |language=en-CA}}</ref> offers eligible program graduates to apply for the national Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE). Passing the PCE is one of the requirements in most provinces and territories to work as a licensed physiotherapist in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://physiotherapy.ca/About-Physiotherapy/Careers-in-Physiotherapy|title=Career Centre – Canadian Physiotherapy Association|access-date=18 May 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093014/http://physiotherapy.ca/About-Physiotherapy/Careers-in-Physiotherapy|url-status=dead}}</ref> CAPR has members which are physiotherapy regulatory organizations recognized in their respective provinces and territories:
* Government of Yukon, Consumer Services<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-26 |title=Check if a physiotherapist is licensed |url=https://yukon.ca/en/check-if-physiotherapist-licensed |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=yukon.ca}}</ref>
* College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPTBC – College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia – Inspiring Public Confidence |url=https://cptbc.org/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* College of Physiotherapists of Alberta<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.cpta.ab.ca/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=College of Physiotherapists of Alberta |language=en}}</ref>
* Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scpt.org/|title=Home - SCPT &#124; Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists}}</ref>
* College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba |url=https://manitobaphysio.com/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=manitobaphysio.com |language=en-CA}}</ref>
* College of Physiotherapists of Ontario<ref>{{Cite web |title=College of Physiotherapists of Ontario {{!}} Physiotherapy Ontario |url=https://www.collegept.org/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=College of Physiotherapists of Ontario |language=en}}</ref>
* Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://oppq.qc.ca/en/home/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=OPPQ |language=en}}</ref>
* College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick/Collège des physiothérapeutes du Nouveau-Brunswick<ref>{{Cite web |title=College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick – Responsive Medical Health WordPress Theme |url=https://cptnb.ca/language/en/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |language=en-CA}}</ref>
* Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists - Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists |url=https://nsphysio.com/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=nsphysio.com}}</ref>
* Prince Edward Island College of Physiotherapists<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome |url=https://www.peicpt.com/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=PEI College of Physiotherapy |language=en}}</ref>
* Newfoundland & Labrador College of Physiotherapists<ref>{{cite web |title=about_us.php |url=https://physiotherapy.ca/newfoundlandlabrador-physiotherapy-association/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921000728/https://physiotherapy.ca/newfoundlandlabrador-physiotherapy-association/ |archive-date=21 September 2017}}</ref>

Physiotherapy programs are offered at fifteen universities, often through the university's respective college of medicine. Each of Canada's physical therapy schools has transitioned from three-year Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BScPT) programs that required two years of prerequisite university courses (five-year bachelor's degree) to two-year Master's of Physical Therapy (MPT) programs that require prerequisite bachelor's degrees. The last Canadian university to follow suit was the [[University of Manitoba]], which transitioned to the MPT program in 2012, making the MPT credential the new entry to practice standard across Canada. Existing practitioners with BScPT credentials are not required to upgrade their qualifications.

In the province of Quebec, prospective physiotherapists are required to have completed a [[Diploma of Collegial Studies|college diploma]] in either health sciences, which lasts on average two years, or physical rehabilitation technology, which lasts at least three years, to apply to a physiotherapy program or program in university. Following admission, physical therapy students work on a bachelor of science with a major in physical therapy and rehabilitation. The B.Sc. usually requires three years to complete. Students must then enter graduate school to complete a master's degree in physical therapy, which normally requires one and a half to two years of study. Graduates who obtain their M.Sc. must successfully pass the membership examination to become members of the Ordre Professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (PPQ). Physiotherapists can pursue their education in such fields as rehabilitation sciences, sports medicine, kinesiology, and physiology.

In the province of Quebec, physical rehabilitation therapists are health care professionals who are required to complete a four-year college diploma program in physical rehabilitation therapy and be members of the ''Ordre Professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec'' (OPPQ)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oppq.qc.ca/|title=Accueil|website=OPPQ}}</ref> to practice legally in the country according to specialist De Van Gerard.

Most physical rehabilitation therapists complete their [[Diploma of Collegial Studies|college diploma]] at [[Collège Montmorency]], [[Dawson College]], or [[Cégep Marie-Victorin]], all situated in and around the [[Montreal]] area.

After completing their technical college diploma, graduates have the opportunity to pursue their studies at the university level to perhaps obtain a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[physiotherapy]], [[kinesiology]], [[Exercise Science|exercise science]], or [[occupational therapy]]. The [[Université de Montréal]], the [[Université Laval]] and the [[Université de Sherbrooke]] are among the Québécois universities that admit physical rehabilitation therapists in their programs of study related to health sciences and rehabilitation to credit courses that were completed in [[College education in Quebec|college]].

To date, there are no bridging programs available to facilitate upgrading from the BScPT to the MPT credential. However, research Master's of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs are available at every university. Aside from academic research, practitioners can upgrade their skills and qualifications through continuing education courses and curriculums. Continuing education is a requirement of the provincial regulatory bodies.

The Canadian Physiotherapy Association offers a curriculum of continuing education courses in orthopedics and manual therapy. The program consists of 5 levels (7 courses) of training with ongoing mentorship and evaluation at each level. The orthopedic curriculum and examinations take a minimum of 4 years to complete. However, upon completion of level 2, physiotherapists can apply to a unique 1-year course-based Master's program in advanced orthopedics and manipulation at the University of Western Ontario to complete their training. This program accepts only 16 physiotherapists annually since 2007. Successful completion of either of these education streams and their respective examinations allows physiotherapists the opportunity to apply to the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy (CAMPT) for fellowship. Fellows of the Canadian Academy of manipulative Physiotherapists (FCAMPT) are considered leaders in the field, having extensive post-graduate education in orthopedics and manual therapy. FCAMPT is an internationally recognized credential, as CAMPT is a member of the International Federation of Manipulative Physiotherapists (IFOMPT), a branch of World Physiotherapy (formerly World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT)) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

===Scotland===
Physiotherapy degrees are offered at four universities: Edinburgh Napier University in Edinburgh, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Glasgow Caledonian University in Glasgow, and Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Students can qualify as physiotherapists by completing a four-year Bachelor of Science degree or a two-year master's degree (if they already have an undergraduate degree in a related field).

To use the title 'Physiotherapist', a student must register with the [[Health and Care Professions Council]], a UK-wide regulatory body, on qualifying. Many physiotherapists are also members of the [[Chartered Society of Physiotherapy]] (CSP),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scotland {{!}} The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy |url=https://www.csp.org.uk/networks/nations-regions/scotland |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=www.csp.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> which provides insurance and professional support.

=== United States ===
The primary physical therapy practitioner is the Physical Therapist (PT) who is trained and licensed to examine, evaluate, diagnose and treat impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities in patients or clients. Physical therapist education curricula in the United States culminate in a [[Doctor of Physical Therapy]] (DPT) degree,<ref name="2011PTed">{{cite web|url=http://www.capteonline.org/uploadedFiles/CAPTEorg/About_CAPTE/Resources/Aggregate_Program_Data/AggregateProgramData_PTPrograms.pdf|title=2010–2011 Fact Sheet: Physical Therapist Education Programs|publisher=American Physical Therapy Association|date=16 August 2011|access-date=28 February 2012|archive-date=23 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823100415/http://www.capteonline.org/uploadedFiles/CAPTEorg/About_CAPTE/Resources/Aggregate_Program_Data/AggregateProgramData_PTPrograms.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> with some practicing PTs holding a [[Master of Physical Therapy]] degree, and some with a [[Bachelor's degree]]. The Master of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Physical Therapy degrees are no longer offered, and the entry-level degree is the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, which typically takes 3 years after completing a bachelor's degree.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Physical Therapist (PT) Education Overview|url = http://www.apta.org/PTEducation/Overview/|website = www.apta.org|access-date = 15 February 2016 | vauthors = Clark M }}</ref> PTs who hold a Masters or bachelors in PT are encouraged to get their DPT because APTA's goal is for all PT's to be on a doctoral level.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Master's of Physical Therapy (MPT) vs. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree|url = http://www.exercise-science-guide.com/blog/masters-physical-therapy-vs-doctorate-physical-therapy/|website = Exercise Science Guide|access-date = 15 February 2016|language = en-US|vauthors = Collor C|date = 2012-07-12|archive-date = 23 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160223044518/http://www.exercise-science-guide.com/blog/masters-physical-therapy-vs-doctorate-physical-therapy/|url-status = dead}}</ref> WCPT recommends physical therapist entry-level educational programs be based on university or university-level studies, of a minimum of four years, independently validated and accredited.<ref name="descriptionAPTA">{{cite web|url=http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Consumers1&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=39568 |title=Discovering Physical Therapy |publisher=[[American Physical Therapy Association]] |access-date=29 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031100654/http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Consumers1&Template=%2FCM%2FHTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=39568 |archive-date=31 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Curricula in the United States are accredited by the [[Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education]] (CAPTE). According to CAPTE, {{as of|2022|lc=y}} there are 37,306 students currently enrolled in 294 accredited PT programs in the United States while 10,096 PTA students are currently enrolled in 396 PTA programs in the United States.<ref name="By The Numbers: Accredited and Candidacy Programs">{{cite web|url=https://www.capteonline.org/|title=By The Numbers|publisher=Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education|year=2022|access-date=18 April 2023}}</ref>

The physical therapist professional curriculum includes content in the clinical sciences (e.g., content about the cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, metabolic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, integumentary, musculoskeletal, and neuromuscular systems and the medical and surgical conditions frequently seen by physical therapists). Current training is specifically aimed to enable physical therapists to appropriately recognize and refer non-musculoskeletal diagnoses that may present similarly to those caused by systems not appropriate for physical therapy intervention, which has resulted in direct access to physical therapists in many states.<ref name = "FSBPT Direct Access Guide">{{cite web|url=https://www.fsbpt.org/Portals/0/documents/free-resources/JLRG_DirectAccessLawsAndRegs_201510.pdf|title=Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Jurisdiction Licensure Reference Guide Topic: Direct Access Language|access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref>

Post-doctoral residency and fellowship education prevalence is increasing steadily with 219 residency, and 42 fellowship programs accredited in 2016. Residencies are aimed to train physical therapists in a specialty such as [[acute care]], [[cardiovascular]] & [[pulmonary]], [[clinical electrophysiology]], [[Sense|faculty]], [[geriatrics]], [[neurology]], [[orthopaedics]], [[pediatrics]], [[sports]], [[women's health]], and [[wound care]], whereas fellowships train specialists in a subspecialty (e.g. [[critical care medicine|critical care]], hand therapy, and [[NCAA Division I|division 1 sports]]), similar to the medical model. Residency programs offer eligibility to sit for the specialist certification in their respective area of practice. For example, completion of an orthopedic physical therapy residency, allows its graduates to apply and sit for the clinical specialist examination in orthopedics, achieving the OCS designation upon passing the examination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abptrfe.org/Residency/About/Benefits/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023233256/http://www.abptrfe.org/Residency/About/Benefits/|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2014|title=Benefits of Attending a Physical Therapy Residency Programs|website=American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education|access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> Board certification of physical therapy specialists is aimed to recognize individuals with advanced clinical knowledge and skill training in their respective area of practice, and exemplifies the trend toward greater education to optimally treat individuals with movement dysfunction.<ref name="ABPTS Website">{{cite web|url=http://www.abpts.org/home.aspx/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423162000/http://www.abpts.org/home.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 April 2011 |website=American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties |title=ABPTS homepage |access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref>

Physical therapist assistants may deliver treatment and physical interventions for patients and clients under a care plan established by and under the supervision of a physical therapist. Physical therapist assistants in the United States are currently trained under [[associate degree|associate of applied sciences]] curricula specific to the profession, as outlined and accredited by CAPTE. As of December 2022, there were 396 accredited two-year ([[Associate degree]]) programs for physical therapist assistants In the United States of America.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.capteonline.org/globalassets/capte-docs/aggregate-data/2021-2022-aggregate-pta-program-and-salary-data.pdf|title=Aggregate Program Data 2021 Physical Therapist Assistant Education Programs Fact Sheets|publisher=American Physical Therapy Association|date=10 January 2023|access-date=18 April 2023|archive-date=3 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403124612/https://www.capteonline.org/globalassets/capte-docs/aggregate-data/2021-2022-aggregate-pta-program-and-salary-data.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>