There are 18 accredited Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) schools In Pennsylvania for 2024. These schools are approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
We’ve gathered essential information on these schools, including details on certification, licensing, and salary and employment prospects, to assist you in selecting the most suitable program. Our data is current as of 2024.
How to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Pennsylvania
- Graduate from an Accredited PTA program
- Pass local Pennsylvania and/or National Certification Exams
- Obtain your license to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Pennsylvania
- How much do Physical Therapist Assistants make in Pennsylvania?
Top Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania
There are currently 18 fully accredited PTA schools in Pennsylvania – listed below.
| College Name | City | Accredited Until |
|---|---|---|
| Butler County Community College | Butler | 12/31/2031 |
| Central Penn College | Summerdale | 6/30/2031 |
| Central Penn College - (Expansion) | Lancaster | 6/30/2031 |
| Community College of Allegheny County - Boyce Campus | Monroeville | 6/30/2025 |
| Harcum College | Bryn Mawr | 6/30/2026 |
| Harcum College - (Expansion) | Bryn Mawr | 6/30/2026 |
| Johnson College | Scranton | 6/30/2031 |
| Lackawanna College | Scranton | 12/31/2028 |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | Schnecksville | 12/31/2027 |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie | 12/31/2031 |
| Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell | 12/31/2024 |
| Mount Aloysius College | Cresson | 12/31/2032 |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | Williamsport | 6/30/2024 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | California | 12/31/2027 |
| The Pennsylvania State University Eberly | Lemont Furnace | 6/30/2028 |
| The Pennsylvania State University Hazleton | Hazleton | 6/30/2027 |
| The Pennsylvania State University Mont Alto | Mont Alto | 12/31/2032 |
| The Pennsylvania State University Shenango | Sharon | 12/31/2032 |
You can also browse the map below to view all schools offering physical therapy assistant programs in Pennsylvania and neighboring areas.
PTA Certification Pennsylvania
Once you have graduated from an accredited school in Pennsylvania, 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.
Pennsylvania does not have any requirement to undertake any local state-level jurisprudence exams. However, all candidates seeking initial licensure in the state must complete the National Physical Therapy Examinations (NPTE).
The NPTE exams are developed and administered by the US Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Pennsylvania PTA License
To work as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in Pennsylvania, certain requirements must be fulfilled. After graduating from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)-approved program, applicants must pass the national physical therapist assistant certification examination. Additionally, completion of 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting is mandatory for initial licensure.
Contact the licensing authority, the Department of State, Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs, Physical Therapy Board, at the following details:
Address: P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Email: st-physical@pa.gov
Phone: (717) 783-7134
Website: http://www.dos.pa.gov
For each 2-year renewal period, PTAs are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education. These guidelines ensure a standardized level of knowledge and competence among licensed Physical Therapist Assistants in the state of Pennsylvania.
Watch the video below for more information;
Update 2018: The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) has recently launched the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact for PTs and PTA’s.
The purpose of the compact is to essentially create an interstate license that will allow a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to practice outside of the state in which they obtained their license.
Average Physical Therapy Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania
| Salary | $58,190 |
|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $27.98 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $39,330 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $73,670 |
| # Employed | 4,900 |
In Pennsylvania, the average salary for Physical Therapy Assistants is $58,190, which is 7% below the national average. The average hourly wage is $27.98. Among the 4,900 employed PTAs in the state, the top 10% earn $73,670, while the bottom 10% earn $39,330 annually. These figures provide a concise overview of the salary distribution for PTAs in Pennsylvania, indicating variances across different percentiles in comparison to the national average.
In Pennsylvania, from 2018 to 2022, the average salary for Physical Therapy Assistants increased by $3,610, reflecting a 7% change. However, employment in the field experienced a decrease of 400 positions, signifying an 8% decline. Looking ahead, the projected growth in PTA employment in Pennsylvania from 2020 to 2030 is expected to be 35%, indicating potential opportunities for expansion in the field over the next decade.
There are 4,900 PTA’s employed in Pennsylvania.
PTA Salaries and Employment in Pennsylvania by Metro Area
The table below breaks down the salary and employment of physical therapist assistants by Metro area across the state.
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 240 | $55,330 |
|---|---|---|
| City | Employed | Salary |
| Altoona | 80 | $49,190 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick | 60 | $52,170 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro | 90 | $54,500 |
| Erie | 140 | $48,850 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 250 | $53,150 |
| Johnstown | 80 | $50,110 |
| Lancaster | 200 | $52,510 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 1,940 | $61,180 |
| Pittsburgh | 1,070 | $52,280 |
| Reading | 110 | $58,080 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton | 250 | $54,150 |
| State College | 50 | $47,550 |
| Williamsport | 50 | $52,730 |
| York-Hanover | 130 | $56,340 |