Choosing Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

If you are interested in a career that helps people gain, maintain, or relearn the strength and skills needed to stay active and participate in daily life, physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are both great choices. Since both of these professions help people with movement and strength, it can be hard to determine why to choose one profession over the other. This article will explore some of the differences in the goals of these therapies, as well as the day to day and career prospects for these professionals, so that you are better equipped to choose a career path.

Arcadia University

College of Health Sciences

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Doctor of Physical Therapy

Earn your DPT from a hybrid program. Experience on-campus immersions and apply skills learned online to patients in person. Complete the program in 25 months. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree but do not need to submit GRE test scores for admission.

  • Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) 
  • Complete in 25 months  
  • 32 weeks of in-person experience

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Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist Job Descriptions

Physical Therapist Job Description

Physical therapists help those who suffer from medical injuries, degenerative conditions, developmental delay, and other health issues that affect movement and function. To help their patients, PTs use exercise as a means of improving strength and mobility, regaining strength and mobility that was lost, or slowing loss of function associated with degenerative disease. Through exercise, patients can achieve improved quality of life in the form of increased mobility and decreased pain. Physical therapists may work with young children with conditions from autism to muscular dystrophy or with older patients struggling with balance.

Occupational Therapist Job Description

Occupational therapists also treat patients with injuries and disabilities, but the focus of their efforts is on the ends (increased ability to participate in everyday activities), rather than what could be considered as the means (increased strength and function through exercise). OT goals focus specifically on improving the working and living experience of a patient. OT also not only helps patients improve skills, but also develop skills that they may not have, or regain skills that they used to have. OTs, like PTs, may work with patients across the lifespan.

Similarities Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

Although the philosophies of physical and occupational therapy differ a bit, there are many similarities in the day to day of the two professions. As therapists, both OTs and PTs must follow the same steps to help their patients:

  • Assessment – assessing the patient’s condition and what their needs are
  • Diagnosing – making a diagnosis based on patient evaluation
  • Treatment – formulating and executing a treatment plan to help improve the patient’s condition
  • Evaluation of outcomes – determining if the treatment plan has helped the patient, and how the plan should be adjusted to improve outcomes
  • Education – educating the patient and his or her family so that they know what to expect and can be of the best assistance possible during the recovery process

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Education/Certification Requirements

Occupational therapists must hold a master’s degree to become certified and practice their profession. All entry level OTs will be required by AOTA/Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) to hold a doctorate starting July 1, 2027. Entry level physical therapists are already required to hold a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree.

Physical Therapy Certification Requirements

Doctor of Physical Therapy Prerequisites

Before applying to a doctor of physical therapy program, you will need to meet prerequisite requirements. Common doctor of physical therapy prerequisites that require planning ahead include:

  • A bachelor’s degree, unless enrolling in a combined bachelor’s and doctorate program
  • PT-supervised observation hours- this requirement will differ by program, so investigate the requirements for the schools you wish to apply to
  • GRE scores

Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs

Aspiring physical therapists must earn their doctor of physical therapy degree. It typically takes 3 years to earn a doctorate of physical therapy, though some programs will have what is called a “3 and 3” which combines a bachelor’s and doctorate into a 6 year program. DPT programs typically consist of 80% classroom work and 20% clinical education. Clinical education involves on-campus lab work as well as off-campus clinical experiences.

National Physical Therapy Exam

In order to become certified as a physical therapist, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam. To sign up for this exam, you must have your DPT degree, register and pay a registration fee, comply with test security requirements, and be approved by your state to take the test (this involves submitting an application to the board of physical therapy in your state).

Once you are approved to take the exam, you can schedule a date to take it. It is a 5 hour, 250 question exam. A passing score is 600.

Physical Therapy Certification

Once you pass your exam, you will have already gotten approval through your state board and met the required practical hours, so you will typically receive a license from your state in the mail. Most states do not require further action after taking the exam, but check with your state board in case.

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