How to become a pediatric physical therapist in schools.

The path to becoming a pediatric physical therapist in schools often involves specialized education, training, and licensing. If you’re passionate about helping children with physical challenges succeed socially, physically and academically, a career as a school-based pediatric physical therapist may be right for you. 

We’ll walk you through the typical education requirements and licensing, so you can understand the path to become a pediatric physical therapist in schools. 

What type of degree do I need to be a school-based pediatric physical therapist?

Regardless of the workplace, physical therapists must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. However, before progressing to that stage, you must first earn your bachelor’s degree.  All APTA credentialed programs are doctorate standard, however some people may have a previous BS/MS degree and still be grandfathered in. 

There isn’t a required bachelor’s degree for physical therapists, but some of the most common majors physical therapists choose include health sciences, biology, and kinesiology. These areas of focus provide foundational education that may be helpful in graduate-level doctorate physical therapy programs. 

After you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree, it’s time to earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. You’ll want to ensure that the program you attend is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Typically, these programs will take three years to complete and include both classroom learning and clinical experience. 

Finally, you’ll need to take and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) to earn your license. You must earn this license to practice as a physical therapist. The test will measure your patient care, diagnostic, treatment plan understanding, as well as safety protocols. Depending on where you’re working, you may be required to take additional tests to earn state-specific licenses. 

Are there extra requirements to become a school-based pediatric physical therapist?

While it may not be an outright requirement for working as a pediatric physical therapist in a school setting, you’ll want to get as much experience working with children as possible. 

• Look for entry-level or internship positions where you can gain experience providing pediatric care, whether in hospitals, schools, or clinics—especially if your DPT programs does not offer pediatric rotations. 

• Become familiar with working with teachers, parents, and other therapists (e.g., private physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists), as you’ll likely be part of a larger team supporting the student.  

• Become comfortable working with standardized tests and Individual Education Programs (IEPs). IEPs determine accommodations and/or goals for students with special needs. School-based physical therapists often provide evaluations, track progress toward IEP goals, and adapt their treatment plans to help a student succeed in daily school activities and classroom learning. 

Finally, you may need to earn additional certifications or licenses depending on where you work. Some schools may have extra requirements for their staff, but this can vary. 

What is the job market like for school-based pediatric physical therapists?

Working in a school as a pediatric physical therapist is not only a rewarding career, but one that can provide consistent working hours and enjoyable benefits. You’ll also get the benefit of seeing how your work can improve the lives of children. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for physical therapists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, about 15% from 2022 to 2032. 

To stand out in the market, consider becoming a board-certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist. This certification is offered through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. It helps demonstrate that you have advanced clinical knowledge for pediatric patients, which can make you a more attractive candidate for a role in a school. You will need at least 2,000 hours of direct pediatric patient care and pass an exam to earn this certification. 

Pediatric Therapeutic Services: We’re here to help you make a difference.

More and more school districts are seeing the benefit of using a company to hire their school-based therapists. If you’re exploring how to become a pediatric physical therapist and want to work in a school-based setting, we’d love to connect with you. At Pediatric Therapeutic Services, we work with occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, psychologists, mental health professionals, and other clinicians to help you find the right school-based placements. 

If you’re interested in becoming a school-based physical therapist, learn more about joining our team. 

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