Are Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Certifications Worth It?

What Is a PTA Certification?

Is the PTA certification worth it? Yes, it is, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. We’ll talk about its costs and benefits, particularly its salary and job outlook. Then, we’ll use the return on investment (ROI) formula to determine its value.

Basic Definition

What is the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) certification? It is a professional certification that:

Signifies a healthcare professional’s specific knowledge and skills as a PTA
Confirms said individual’s compliance with national certification standards
Qualifies their ability to assist physical therapists in patient care-related activities

Step-by-step Process

Becoming a physical therapist assistant involves a multiyear, multistep process.

Earn a high school diploma or GED. Develop your math, science, and English skills because these are vital to success. Get good grades, too, for college admission.
Enroll in an associate’s degree CAPTE-accredited PTA program. Students tackle didactic courses and complete supervised clinical rotations. Complete the requirements to earn the associate’s degree, usually in two years.
Apply for and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administers it.
Apply for state certification or licensure. Additional requirements include a background check and a state-specific jurisprudence exam. All states require either a certification or licensure to practice.

Continuing education and professional development are a must for renewal, too. PTAs are also well-advised to earn certifications in BLS, CPR, and/or first-aid skills.

What’s the difference between an associate’s degree and certification? The associate’s degree is the academic credential required to sit for the NPTE. Certification is the formal recognition that allows its bearer to practice as a PTA. (The exact designation – “licensed” or “certified” – varies by state)

How Much Does a PTA Certification Cost?

The answer to the question, ‘Is a PTA certification worth it?’ partly depends on the cost to acquire it. The other factor is its return on investment, particularly an increase in salary and job opportunities.

Let’s first take a look at the cost of PTA certification, from earning a degree to securing a license.

Earning an Associate’s Degree

PTA aspirants can choose between an:

AAS in PTA, the standard degree with greater emphasis on career-specific training
AS in PTA, the alternative degree with more focus on academics (i.e., transferable credits)

Their tuition and fees are similar, but it’s common for AAS programs to be slightly more expensive. AAS students pay more in lab fees, clinical placements, and program-specific materials.

The type of school matters, too. Public colleges offer the most affordable PTA programs.

Community colleges charge: $5,000 to $20,000 total
Private colleges charge: $20,000 to $30,000 total

Add indirect costs, too, including:

Books and supplies: $500-$1,500
Uniform and other gear: $100-$300
Clinical fees: $200-$600
Living expenses: $14,000/year (estimate only)

Securing the Certification/License

After graduation, the costs to secure your state-issued certification/license include these items.

NPTE fee: $485
Prometric testing center fee: $100
State certification/licensure fee: 100-$300 (State fees vary)
Background check and fingerprinting: $50-$100 (depends on the state)
CPR certification and other health requirements: $50-$150

So, your total cost for initial certification can range between:

$20,585 (low-end, cheapest community college program, lowest fees)
$77,535 (high-end, most expensive private college program, highest fees)

Add continuing education costs, too. These can range from $100 to $400 for every renewal cycle.

If you’re having second thoughts because of these costs, no worries. Here are effective tips to find affordable PTA programs.

Choose a community college or a public in-state university.
Apply for federal student aid.
Explore as many scholarships and grants as you can find.
Look into employer reimbursements and military education benefits, too.
Consider all-in costs – tuition, clinical fees, books and equipment, and testing fees.
Ask about installment payment plans.

Like any higher education pursuit, becoming a PTA has its challenges. Cost is a major challenge in earning the physical therapist assistant certification.

But it isn’t insurmountable either. Effective financial planning and management are crucial.

Can You Get Financial Aid for PTA Programs?

Yes, you can get financial aid to offset the PTA program cost. Enroll in a regionally accredited college with a CAPTE-accredited PTA program. No accreditation, no federal financial aid.

Explore these financial aid options available for students in accredited PTA programs.

FAFSA and Federal Aid Eligibility

Submit your complete and accurate FAFSA before the deadline. Eligibility requirements include:

U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Valid Social Security number
Enrolled in an eligible certificate or degree program
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Not be in default on a federal student loan

Federal student aid comes in these forms:

Pell Grants (need-based, no repayments)
FSEOG (for exceptional financial need)
Direct subsidized loans
Direct unsubsidized loans
Parent PLUS loans (for parents of dependent students)
Federal work-study

Scholarships for Healthcare Students

Ask your college’s financial aid office about institutional scholarships and grants. Check if there is PTA student-specific financial aid, too.

Explore financial aid offered by professional organizations. Prime examples include:

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Minority Scholarship Award
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
Health Professions Education Foundation (HPEF) Scholarships

Your state may also have state-specific scholarships and grants. Check out these programs:

Illinois Physical Therapy Foundation – IPTF/Team Rehab Scholarship
APTA Indiana – Jennifer Grillo Memorial PTA Student Scholarship
Georgia Foundation for Physical Therapy – Founders Scholarship

Work-Study Options for PTA Students

“Earn while you learn” is the principle behind work-study options. Popular jobs include campus lab assistant and health services office assistant.

Indeed, you have a wide range of financial aid options to explore. The keyword here is “explore”, meaning you must be active and proactive in seeking them out.

Keep in mind these tips to maximize your financial aid for PTA programs.

Complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Reapply every year, too.
Apply for state aid, too.
Use scholarship databases and search engines. Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and Bold.org are excellent platforms.
Maintain good academic standing and extracurriculars. Merit-based scholarships look at these aspects.
Tailor your scholarship application for every program.
Write compelling personal statements.

After all, free money neither grows on trees nor lands in your lap.

What Jobs Can You Get with a PTA Certification?

The beauty of a PTA certification is its versatile applications. Certified PTAs are in demand across a wide range of workplaces.

Types of Workplaces

As a certified PTA, you can apply your knowledge and skills in these settings.

Hospitals where patients need recovery interventions for trauma, acute illness, and surgery
Outpatient clinics where you’ll treat patients recovering from injuries and procedures
Skilled nursing facilities that assist elderly patients in recovering from illness
Home health agencies where you’ll make in-home visits to deliver patient care
Schools where children with physical disabilities receive patient care
Sports and rehabilitation centers that work with athletes recovering from surgeries and injuries

Roles and Responsibilities

PTAs also perform a wide range of day-to-day tasks

Observe patients before, during, and after therapy sessions.
Assist patients in performing specific exercises based on their plan of care.
Use techniques to treat patients. Massage, exercise, and gait and balance training are common.
Help patients use assistive devices and equipment.
Educate patients, family members, and caregivers about proper treatment approaches.

PTAs work under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists. Furthermore, PTAs oversee and direct the work of physical therapy aides.

Growth Potential in the Field

PTAs enjoy strong demand for their expertise, too. The projected employment growth for PTAs is 19% (BLS, 2023-2033). This is among the highest in healthcare occupations.

Such strong demand is due to many factors, including:

An aging population that demands more physical therapy and its treatments
Increase in demand for mobility-related services, especially for individuals with chronic diseases
Expanded access to physical therapy services
Increase in reliance on PTAs among PTs, particularly in long-term care settings
Technological advancements (e.g., non-invasive treatments)

These factors contribute to the excellent growth potential in the field. PTAs can pursue specializations, such as neurology, orthopedics, or geriatrics.

Many also transition into healthcare education and management roles. PTAs can also become licensed PTs with advanced education (DPT).

How Much Can You Earn as a PTA?

The answer to the question, ‘How much does a PTA make?’ depends on many factors, including:

Position (i.e., entry-level vs. supervisory)
Relevant professional work experience (i.e., the more experience, the higher the salary)
Geographical location (i.e., PTAs in urban areas tend to earn more than PTAs in rural areas)
Type of industry (i.e., government organizations are more likely to pay more)
Size of the organization (i.e., PTAs in larger companies usually have higher salaries)

In general, the favorable PTA salary and job outlook attract more professionals. PTAs earned $65,510/year in median wages (BLS, May 2024). The lowest earners raked in less than $46,020 while the highest earners took in over $87,630.

Take note of regional salary differences, too. California, Texas, and New Jersey pay the highest PTA salaries ($69,000-$79,000/year).

Do you want to earn as much as possible as a certified PTA? Here are tips to achieve it.

Pursue PRN (as-needed) positions because of their higher pay than full-time roles.
Consider travel PTA jobs since these offer higher pay, as well as bonuses and stipends.
Focus on high-paying workplaces, such as skilled nursing facilities and home health.
Work extra shifts or overtime.
Practice in high-demand states, such as Texas and California.
Earn specialized certifications to boost your value as an employee.
Negotiate for higher salaries and benefits, especially during performance reviews or promotions.
Add side gigs to your income stream. Think teaching, wellness coaching, and personal training.
Take advantage of referrals and word-of-mouth advertising.
Join staffing agencies to expand your work opportunities.

Indeed, it isn’t only a question of how much you can earn as a PTA. More importantly, it’s a matter of leveraging your PTA experience to maximize your earning capacity.

PTA Certification vs. Degree: What’s the Difference?

Going back to the PTA certification vs degree discussion, here’s a comparison table:

Features	Associate Degree	Certification
Mandatory for certification purposes	Yes	N/A
Overseen by	CAPTE-accredited schools	FSBPT for the certification exam. State boards for the certification/license to practice.
Time to complete	Usually two years	N/A (Completed after college graduation)
Requires clinical experience	Yes, as part of the curriculum in accredited programs	No
Required to work as a PTA	Yes (i.e., foundational academic requirement)	Yes (i.e., after complying with eligibility requirements)
Purpose	Main academic requirement	Proof of qualification for professional practice

Knowing these differences is useful in planning your PTA career.

So, which option offers better long-term value? We have to say it’s an associate’s degree because it’s a mandatory requirement. Think of it as the first stepping stone in your healthcare career.

You’ll need it to:

Be eligible to sit for the NPTE and, if you pass, to become a PTA.
Pursue more advanced studies for career growth, such as a DPT.

Better yet, think of them as credentials that go hand-in-hand.

Is a PTA Certification Worth It?

Yes, it is worth the time, effort, and money investment. But only if it aligns with your specific interests and goals. Plus, you must leverage it to enjoy its benefits to the fullest.

Let’s examine its ROI to determine its value in monetary terms.

ROI = (Median Annual Salary – Cost of Investment) x 100 / Cost of Investment

Where:

Median Annual Salary: $65,510 (BLS data)
Cost of Investment: $20,585 (low end)

The ROI is about 218%, an excellent return in the healthcare industry. You’ll get back over $2 in earnings for every dollar you’ve spent.

Other benefits include:

Faster entry into the healthcare workforce
Strong job outlook
Diverse work settings
Meaningful and impactful work

Who’s the ideal candidate?

Recent high graduates and career changers
Individuals interested in direct patient care

If you’re an ambitious person seeking job stability and good pay, go for it. You’ll love the quick yet affordable path toward a rewarding career.