Physical Therapy Assistant Schools in Montana

How to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Montana

To become a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) in Montana you should firstly enroll in an accredited PTA program. There are currently 2 schools in Montana which are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). After graduation you will need to undertake both a state jurisprudence exam as well as the national PTA certification exams.

Accredited PTA Schools Montana in 2023

There are 2 fully accredited PTA schools in Montana in 2023. Get started today by reaching out to your preferred schools to receive information on course curriculum, admissions requirements, tuition etc.

You can also browse the map below to view all schools offering PTA programs in Montana and neighboring areas.

PTA Certification in Montana

Once you have graduated from an accredited school in Montana, you will need to obtain a license to work as a physical therapist assistant there. To obtain your license it is a requirement that you have successfully passed additional certification exams.

Montana is one of 27 States in which it is a requirement to undertake both a State-level exam as well as the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

The state exams ensure that the candidate has a thorough understanding of the local laws and regulations under which they are allowed to work and the NPTE exams ensure a minimum standard of education and competence before a candidate enters the workplace. The NPTE exams are developed and administered by the US Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Montana PTA License Requirements

To become a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in Montana, you must be at least 18 years old and graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Successfully passing the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE) with a scaled score of 600 or higher is a requirement.

Additionally, applicants need to pass a state jurisprudence examination and undergo a fingerprint criminal background check conducted by the Montana Department of Justice and the FBI. For a temporary license, applicants must identify a licensed physical therapist who will provide direct supervision.

The Montana Board of Physical Therapy regulates the licensing of Physical Therapist Assistants. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:

Address: 301 S. Park, 4th Floor, P.O. Box 200513, Helena, MT 59620-0513
Email: dlibsdptp@mt.gov
Phone: (406) 841-2395
Website: https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/

Update 2018: The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) has recently launched the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact for PT’s and PTA’s.

The purpose of the compact is to essentially create an interstate license allowing a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to practice outside of the state in which they obtained their license.

Average PTA Salary in Montana

In Montana, the average (median) Physical Therapy Assistant salary is $57,480, which is 8% below the national average. The average hourly wage is $27.63. Among those working as PTA’s, the top 10% earned $66,970, while the bottom 10% earned $45,910. There are 290 employed physical therapy assistants in the state.

In Montana, from 2018 to 2022, the salary for Physical Therapy Assistants increased by $11,000, reflecting a 24% growth. Employment during the same period saw an increase of 90 positions, indicating a 45% growth. Looking forward, the projected employment growth from 2020 to 2030 is estimated to be 33%, indicating a positive trend in demand for physical therapy assistants in the state.

PTA Salaries and Employment in Montana by Metro Area

The table below breaks down the salary and employment of physical therapist assistants by Metro area across the state.