Do you enjoy learning about how the body moves and working with children? You may consider pursuing a career in pediatric physical therapy (PT). Pediatric physical therapists (PTs) work with various cases, such as injuries, disorders and chronic illnesses.
Learn how to become a pediatric physical therapist, including educational and clinical requirements and what you can expect in the career.
What is a Pediatric Physical Therapist?
A pediatric physical therapist is a healthcare professional who assists children in reaching their potential to function independently and promote active participation in home, school and community environments.1 Pediatric physical therapists have expertise in movement, motor development, and body function for children, youth and young adults.1
Pediatric physical therapists work with patients and their families by applying clinical reasoning during examination, evaluation, diagnosis and intervention.1
What Does a Pediatric Physical Therapist Do?
Although the role of a pediatric physical therapist involves helping young patients improve their range of motion, there are several other responsibilities of a pediatric physical therapist:2
- Perform examinations and assessments: A pediatric physical therapist evaluates the child’s needs in the first session to understand their condition and determine a treatment plan.
- Develop treatment plans: Create customized treatment plans specific to each child’s development, condition and age, including goals for pediatric physical therapy that are tailored to help them navigate their home environment.
- Work with patients: Work through various exercises to help patients move their bodies safely.
- Adjust treatment based on progress: A pediatric physical therapist adjusts treatments based on the child’s progress and needs while aiming to help them achieve developmental milestones and improve independence.
- Educate families: Home-based pediatric physical therapy allows multiple caregivers to be present and enables them to learn the exercises and participate in the child’s treatment.
Pediatric physical therapists also support the patient’s overall well-being by tailoring treatments to their home environment and involving caregivers in the therapy process. Communication with the child’s broader healthcare team may be necessary to ensure comprehensive care.2
Five Steps to Becoming a Pediatric Physical Therapist
| Degree | Doctorate |
| Field of study | Physical Therapy |
| Licensure | National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE®) administered by the Federation State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) |
| Specialization | Pediatrics |
| Median salary (2023)3 | $99,710 annually |
| Job outlook (2022-2032)3 | 15% projected growth |
| Number of jobs (2022)3 | 246,800 |
There are educational and certification requirements in the process of how to become a pediatric physical therapist. Follow these five steps to pursue a career in pediatric physical therapy.
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Earn an undergraduate degree to apply to a graduate program in physical therapy. You may choose to complete a combined program in which you can earn both your bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).
During the process of how to become a pediatric physical therapist, consider majoring in the following fields during your undergraduate program:
- Biology
- Kinesiology
- Exercise Science
- Health Science
- Psychology
We recommend maintaining a higher GPA in your selected major to increase your chances of being accepted into a DPT program.
2. Apply to Graduate School
After completing your undergraduate degree, the next step in the process of how to become a pediatric physical therapist is to apply to graduate school. Employers will likely require you to have a DPT.
Many DPT programs take three years to complete. The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) DPT Residential format takes 2.3 years to complete.* The USAHS DPT program provides blended coursework with in-person immersive labs. Students can experience clinical simulations while practicing physical therapy alongside peers and professionals.
The DPT program should hold an accreditation status, which means it complies with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards. You can confirm if a DPT program holds an accreditation status on the CAPTE website or the program website, like at USAHS.4
3. Complete a Clinical Experience
During the DPT program, you’ll complete clinical experiences at a medical facility, like a hospital or clinic. At USAHS, we offer students clinical placements with clinical partners. These partners provide students with real-world experience and networking opportunities in their selected field of physical therapy.
4. Take the National Physical Therapy Examination
After you complete your DPT program and required clinical hours, apply to become a physical therapist in your state. Requirements vary by state. Visit your resident state’s American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) or state board website for more information on requirements to become a physical therapist.
All states require you to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE®)—administered by the FSBPT.5 The NPTE® is used as a stepping stone towards getting licensed as a PT.
5. Specialize in Pediatrics
Congrats—you’ve passed the NPTE. You can specialize in pediatric physical therapy with experiential hours. You’ll shadow a board-certified pediatric physical therapist and work one-on-one with patients in a supervised environment.
Once you reach 2,000 experiential hours, you can apply for your certification from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).6 After applying, you’ll be required to complete an exam to test your knowledge of pediatric physical therapy. Once you pass, you’ll receive a specialty certification and can work as a pediatric physical therapy specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are commonly asked questions about becoming a pediatric physical therapist.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Pediatric Physical Therapist?
The length of your process for how to become a pediatric physical therapist will depend on the DPT program you choose and what you do next.
- Most DPT programs take around three years.
- USAHS’ Residential DPT format takes 2.3 years over seven trimesters.*
- USAHS’ Flex DPT format takes three years over nine trimesters.*
- USAHS’ Hybrid Immersion*** DPT program takes between 2.3 to 3 years over seven to nine trimesters.*
After completing a DPT program, you’ll need to pass the NPTE as a step towards earning an unrestricted license as a physical therapist, account for required direct PT patient care hours in pediatrics, and apply for board certification in pediatrics through ABPTS.6
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Pediatric Physical Therapist?
The skills required for a pediatric physical therapist are similar to a physical therapist. These include:
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Time management and stamina to work longer hours
- Empathy and compassion
- Attentiveness and patience
- Ability to cope with workplace stress
- Dexterity
Being a pediatric physical therapist can be rewarding but also fatiguing. Those who are interested in this role should actively practice stress management techniques.
What Major Is Best for Pediatric Physical Therapy?
We recommend those interested in pediatric physical therapy earn their bachelor’s degree in these majors:
- Biology
- Kinesiology
- Exercise Science
- Health Science
- Psychology
During your undergraduate program, you’ll likely take courses in most of these fields. Maintaining a high GPA will improve your chances of being accepted into your ideal graduate program.
Earn Your Doctor of Physical Therapy with USAHS
If you’re interested in a career in pediatric physical therapy, earn a graduate degree. Choosing the right grad school will help you put your best foot forward in your new career.
From physical therapy to occupational therapy, we offer several graduate programs in rehabilitative sciences at USAHS. Contact an enrollment advisor today and take the first step toward earning your DPT.
***The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is seeking approval from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) for an expansion of its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at its San Marcos, CA, and Miami, FL, campuses with a Hybrid Immersion model. Approval of the expansion programs is required prior to implementation.
Applicants interested in the Hybrid Immersion DPT format should contact an enrollment advisor using the request for information form on our site.
Sources:
- Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, “The ABCS of Pediatric Physical Therapy,” APTA, 2019, https://pediatricapta.org/includes/fact-sheets/pdfs/FactSheet_ABCsofPediatricPT_2019.pdf?v=2.
- Christine Bode, “Pediatric Physical Therapy at Home,” John Hopkins Medicine, 2024, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/caregiving/pediatric-physical-therapy-at-home#.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Physical Therapists: Summary,” BLS, April 17, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm.
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, “Master List of Accredited Programs for the Physical Therapist,” CAPTE, June 11, 2024, https://www.capteonline.org/programs/master-list.
- Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, “National Exam (NPTE®),” FSBPT, 2023, https://www.fsbpt.org/Secondary-Pages/Exam-Candidates/National-Exam-NPTE.
- APTA Specialist Certification, “From Application to Celebration: The Path to Your Specialist Credential,” APTA, 2024, https://specialization.apta.org/become-a-specialist/from-start-to-finish.
