Physical therapists need a master’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program and a State license, requiring passing scores on national and State examinations.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there were 209 accredited physical therapist education programs in 2007. Of the accredited programs, 43 offered master’s degrees and 166 offered doctoral degrees. Only master’s degree and doctoral degree programs are accredited, in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. In the future, a doctoral degree might be the required entry-level degree. Master’s degree programs typically last 2 years, and doctoral degree programs last 3 years.

* Step one: Earn a high school diploma: Earning a high school diploma or GED equivalent is the basic education required to become a physical therapist. Students should take classes such as health, physical education, biology and anatomy.
* Step two: Earn an associate's degree: Obtaining an associate's degree in physical therapy, nursing or biology is the next step towards becominge a physical therapist. Nursing courses focus on techniques to aid patients in a hospital setting while more specific courses in physical therapy cover anatomy and rehabilitative medicines, procedures and exercises.
* Step three: Work as an intern: Interning under the guided supervision of a professional physical therapist should be considered part of the education required to become a physical therapist. Rarely do employers hire recent graduates without some type of experience, regardless of the type or level of degree earned.
* Step four: Earn a bachelor's degree: A bachelor's degree is typically required to become a physical therapist. Majoring in physical therapy is preferred, and courses typically cover physiology, anatomy, biology and therapeutic techniques.
* Step five: Become licensed: Each state requires that physical therapists sit for and pass an exam to become licensed practitioners. Some potential therapists may choose to participate in national licensing exams as well. Once licensed, physical therapists are required to enroll in continuing education classes and to attend workshops and seminars to retain their licenses.