CNA to Physical Therapist Assistant
Turn bedside patient care into a physical therapist assistant degree. Help patients rebuild strength and mobility after injury or surgery.
Your path
Start with CNA training and move into a physical therapist assistant program. PTAs work under physical therapists helping patients recover movement after injury, surgery or illness, in clinics, hospitals and rehab centers.
- Listed timeframe
- 2 years
- Programs to explore
- 339 PTA programs
- School locations
- See individual programs
Before you start
- 18 or older
- High school diploma or GED
- US citizen or eligible to work in the US
- Social Security number
- Criminal background check
- Drug screen
- Immunizations and TB test
- Physical exam
- CPR or BLS certification
- Prerequisite courses (anatomy and physiology, microbiology)
- Minimum GPA
More about this path
Requirements. PTA programs usually require anatomy and physiology and observation hours in a physical therapy setting.
Timeframe. 2 years is the timeframe listed for this path. Confirm the full timeline, including prerequisites and application waits, with your schools.
Locations. Locations refer to the schools linked to this path, not availability in every state. Check each school’s attendance and residency requirements.
Annual pay by credential. Catalog averages for each credential, not one salary range.
- CNA-associated roles: $34,000/year
- PTA-associated roles: $64,080/year
Tuition, admission requirements and total time vary by school. Completing this path does not guarantee admission.
Programs on this path
Compare programs and keep your application steps in one place.
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California
PTA Physical Therapy Assistant
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, Florida
PTA Physical Therapy Assistant
South University-West Palm Beach
Royal Palm Beach, Florida
PTA Physical Therapy Assistant
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, Iowa
PTA Physical Therapy Assistant
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College
Chicago, Illinois
PTA Physical Therapy Assistant
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
Cumberland, Kentucky
PTA Physical Therapy Assistant
Louisiana Christian University
Pineville, Louisiana
PTA Physical Therapy Assistant
Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, Massachusetts
PTA Physical Therapy Assistant
Showing 8 of 339 programs
How this path works
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Compare PTA programs
Compare the connected programs and check prerequisites, costs and dates.
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Complete your CNA training
Pick a provider and finish the program and credential steps.
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Meet entry requirements
Prepare the experience, exams, and prerequisites your chosen programs require.
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Apply
Gather your documents and check each program’s requirements before you apply.
Completing this path does not guarantee admission. Each program sets its own requirements.
Common questions
What does a physical therapist assistant do?
They carry out treatment plans set by a physical therapist: exercises, stretching, walking practice and patient education.
How long does it take?
About two years for the PTA degree after prerequisites, plus a short CNA program first.
Do I need observation hours?
Most programs ask for 20 to 40 hours observing in a physical therapy clinic before you apply.
What exam is at the end?
The National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs, which every state uses for licensure.
Similar paths
Other routes students explore alongside this one.