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#how old do you have to be for physical therapist?
#physical-therapist
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Susie’s Answer
I am not sure if you mean, 'what is the youngest age person a PT might treat'? Or 'how old is a person when they graduate with a PT degree?'
To answer the second question first: In the USA, if you are thinking of becoming a PT, you will need a DPT, or a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, to get a license and practice as a PT now. Some therapists who were trained years ago have a BS or a Masters Degree. So, if the average college graduate is 21-22 years old, and you go right on to enroll in a DPT program, then you would be coming out of school with a DPT at age 24-25. DPT school is 3 years. Some people work in between, and then start DPT school later, at age 27-35.
Second question: Pediatric PTs treat infants from birth, including babies born prematurely. Some pediatric PTs are specially trained to work in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and may consult on babies quite young, ages 28 weeks gestation and up, but sometimes younger, if there is a specific concern.
To answer the second question first: In the USA, if you are thinking of becoming a PT, you will need a DPT, or a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, to get a license and practice as a PT now. Some therapists who were trained years ago have a BS or a Masters Degree. So, if the average college graduate is 21-22 years old, and you go right on to enroll in a DPT program, then you would be coming out of school with a DPT at age 24-25. DPT school is 3 years. Some people work in between, and then start DPT school later, at age 27-35.
Second question: Pediatric PTs treat infants from birth, including babies born prematurely. Some pediatric PTs are specially trained to work in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and may consult on babies quite young, ages 28 weeks gestation and up, but sometimes younger, if there is a specific concern.
Updated
Rodolfo’s Answer
Old enough to be empathetic to your patients’ needs.
Yes empathy is important in any health care related field but does this answer the student's question?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin