In Alabama, 9 schools are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) for Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) programs. These schools are fully accredited for 2024. We’ve researched these schools, summarizing essential details to help you choose the best program. Our data covers 2024 and includes information on certification, licensing, as well as salary and employment prospects.
We have researched all these top schools on your behalf and summarized all the details you need to know to get started with choosing the best program for you. Our data is up to date for 2024 and also provides information on certification, licensing, and salary and employment prospects.
Steps to become a PTA in Alabama
To become a PTA in Alabama you will need to apply to attend a CAPTE accredited school. Upon graduation you will sit the national certification exams, state certification exams and apply for you state license.
- Get a Degree from an Accredited PTA School
- Pass both State and National Certification Exams
- Obtain your Alabama Physical Therapy Assistant License
Top 8 Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Schools in Alabama
All schools listed below are fully CAPTE accredited. All schools offer an associates degree.
Our schools are ranked in alphabetical order. We do not attempt to rank schools based on any other criteria as everyone’s requirements and priorities will vary.
| Name | Metro Area | Accredited Until |
|---|---|---|
| Bishop State Community College | Mobile | 6/30/2027 |
| Calhoun Community College | Decatur | 12/31/2026 |
| George C Wallace Community College | Dothan | 12/31/2024 |
| Jefferson State Community College | Birmingham | 6/30/2033 |
| Jefferson State Community College - (Expansion) | Birmingham | 6/30/2033 |
| Lurleen B Wallace Community College | Greenville | 6/30/2027 |
| South University - Montgomery | Montgomery | 12/31/2032 |
| Southern Union State Community College | Valley | 12/31/2026 |
| Wallace State Community College - Hanceville | Hanceville | 6/30/2028 |
Bishop State Community College, Mobile, AL
- Address: 351 N. Broad Street, Mobile, AL 36603-3536
- Phone: (251) 405-4441
- Email: gwilliamson@bishop.edu
Bishop State Community College (BSCC) is a public institution with a student population of approximately 5,000 pupils.
BSCC offers a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program provides a comprehensive education through a combination of theoretical and clinical experiences, taking place in various healthcare settings like hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. The program is accredited by CAPTE until June 2027.
The program typically takes two years to complete and is offered in a full-time day format. Our research shows a graduation rate of 77.7% in 2022 and an employment rate of 92.8% for graduates of the program.
Prospective students must meet specific admission requirements, including a minimum GPA of 2.75, completion of prerequisite courses, a minimum TEAS score, and 50 hours of observation in physical therapy settings, among other criteria.
The total cost of tuition and fees for the PTA program is approximately $14,000.
For detailed program information and application instructions, visit the program page: Bishop State PTA program page
Wallace Community College, Dothan
– School Address: 1141 Wallace Drive Dothan, AL 36303-0943
– Email: hwells@wallace.edu
– Phone: 334-556-2233
– Accredited by CAPTE: until December 2024
– Degree: Associate in Applied Science
– Type of institution: Public
Wallace Community College offers a highly regarded Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in healthcare. This five-semester course of leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree.
The program admits a new class each fall semester, with class sizes typically around 28 students. The most recently reported graduation rate was 73.5% for 2021-2022, an 87.5% licensure examination pass rate, and a 100% employment rate within one year of graduation for the same period.
The admission process is competitive, with application deadlines typically in May. Requirements include completion of prerequisite courses, submission of ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) scores, and meeting both College and PTA program admission criteria.
The total cost of tuition and fees for the program is approximately $16,500.
For detailed program information and application procedures, visit the program page: https://www.wallace.edu/programs-training/health/physical-therapist-assistant.
Jefferson State Community College, Birmingham, AL
– School Address: Center for Professional Career and Technical Education, 4600 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35242-4607
– Email: vleblanc@jeffersonstate.edu
– Phone: (205) 983-5995
– Accredited by CAPTE until 6/30/2033
– Associate in Applied Science
– Public Institution
Jefferson State Community College is a public institution with an undergraduate student population of over 6,000 students.
The school offers a comprehensive Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program leading to the award of an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. This program consists of one year of prerequisite coursework followed by one year of professional coursework.
Candidates interested in the PTA program must complete prerequisites and general education courses before enrolling in the professional phase. Specific program applications are due every January 15th. Upon admission, students can choose between an On-Campus Program or an Online Track Program. On campus class size typically averages 18 students.
The total cost of the program, including tuition, fees, and other program costs, is $11,220.00
The class of 2023 had a graduation rate of 83% for classroom based students and 100% for online students. Class of 2023 licensure exam pass rates range from 66% to 71% for first attempt. Job placement rates over the past couple of years have been 100% within 6 to 12 months of passing the licensure exam.
For detailed program information and application procedures, please visit the program page: https://www.jeffersonstate.edu/programs/physical-therapist-assistant/
Lurleen B Wallace Community College, Greenville, AL
– School Address: 750 Greenville By-Pass, Greenville, AL 36037-3754
– Email: tdougherty@lbwcc.edu
– Phone: (334) 382-2133
– Accredited by CAPTE until 6/30/2027
– Associate in Applied Science
– Public Institution
Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a small rural public institution with an undergraduate student population of almost 1800 students. The PTA program at the school provides a pathway to an Associate in Applied Science degree.
To gain admission, students must successfully complete two semesters of general education prerequisite coursework and apply for acceptance into the technical phase of the program. The technical phase of the program consists of three consecutive semesters of physical therapy-related coursework, including classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants upon meeting the program’s expectations and requirements.
The program maintains a competitive admission process with a class size of 18 students. Applications are typically accepted between January and March.
The total cost of the program is approximately $14,200.
For detailed program information and application procedures, please visit the program page: https://www.lbwcc.edu/programs/health-programs/physical-therapist-assistant.
South University, Montgomery
– Address: 5355 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116-1120
– Email: fberryman@southuniversity.edu
– Phone: (334) 395-8800
South University in Montgomery is a private institution that offers an Associate of Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). The program follows a full-time evening format and consists of six academic quarters, including lecture, laboratory, and clinical coursework. Students benefit from two full-time clinical education experiences, totaling 640 hours of hands-on training. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) until December 31, 2032.
The program reports a recent graduation rate of 77.9%, a competitive licensure exam pass rate of 89.6%, and a 100% employment rate for graduates.
The total cost of the program is $33,485.
For more information, you can visit the program page at https://www.southuniversity.edu/montgomery/physical-therapist-assistant-as.
Southern Union State Community College, Valley, AL
– Address: 321 Fob James Drive, Valley, AL 36854
– Email: jleatherman@suscc.edu
– Phone: (334) 756-4151
Southern Union State Community College is a public institution offering an Associate of Applied Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). The program spans three semesters, totaling 67 semester hours, including 29 semester hours of prerequisite coursework required for admission. It is designed for full-time students in a daytime format and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) until December 31, 2026.
With an undergraduate enrollment of over 3,500, Southern Union State Community College provides a vibrant learning environment. Graduates of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program are eligible to sit for the national licensure exam. The program boasts impressive outcomes, with an average CAPTE licensure exam pass rate of 89%, a graduation rate of 90%, and a 100% employment rate for its students.
The total cost of the program, including fees, exceeds $12,000.
For additional program details, you can visit the program page at https://www.suscc.edu/programs/ptaprograminfo.
Wallace State Community College – Hanceville, Hanceville, AL
– Address: PO Box 2000, 801 Main St. NW, Hanceville, AL 35077-2000
– Email: alina.adams@wallacestate.edu
– Phone: (256) 352-8332
Wallace State Community College in Hanceville with over 10,000 full and part time enrolled students. The PTA program at Wallace State is offered in a full time day format culminating in an Associate in Applied Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). The program is a two-year course of study, with the first year focusing on general education courses and the final year dedicated to technical and clinical experiences in various healthcare settings. Classes start annually in the fall, and approximately 36 students are admitted each year.
The most recent figures available from the school show an average graduation rate of 81%, a 100% employment rate, and a licensure exam pass rate of 98% (2021-2022). It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) until June 30, 2028.
The total cost of tuition and fees for in-state students is approximately $6,400, with additional anticipated costs of up to $4,000.
For more program details, you can visit the program page at https://wallacestate.cleancatalog.net/physical-therapist-assistant.
Physical Therapy Assistant Certification Exam Requirements Alabama
Once you have graduated from an accredited school, you will need to obtain a license to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Alabama. To obtain your license it is a requirement that you have successfully passed additional certification exams.
Alabama 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 purpose of the State exam is to ensure that the candidate has a thorough understanding of the local laws and regulations under which they are allowed to work.
The purpose of the NPTE exams is to ensure a minimum standard of knowledge and competence after graduation and before entering into the workplace. The NPTE exams are developed and administered by the US Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Alabama PTA License Requirements
Upon graduation from a Board-approved program, securing a license to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in Alabama is imperative. To achieve licensure, candidates must pass both a State exam and the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), ensuring comprehensive knowledge of local laws and regulations. Administered by the US Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), the NPTE sets a baseline for competence before entering the workforce. Contact the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy directly for licensing inquiries using the updated details below:
Address: 100 N Union Street, Suite 724, Montgomery, AL 36130-5040
Email: sheila.wright@pt.alabama.gov
Phone: (334) 242-4064
Website: http://pt.alabama.gov
Watch the video below for more information on becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant in Alabama.
Physical Therapy Assistant Salary Alabama
In Alabama, the median salary for Physical Therapy Assistants is $59,820, which is 5% below the national average. The average hourly wage is $28.76. Among PTA professionals, the top 10% earned $79,070, while the bottom 10% earned $31,700. With 2,020 employed in the state, Alabama provides a competitive salary range for those in the Physical Therapy Assistant field, reflecting variations in earnings based on experience and expertise.
In Alabama, from 2018 to 2022, the salary for Physical Therapy Assistants increased by $1,900, reflecting a 3% change. Employment witnessed a positive trend with an increase of 190 positions, marking a 10% change. Looking ahead, the projected employment growth from 2020 to 2030 is anticipated to be 37%, indicating a sustained demand for Physical Therapy Assistants in Alabama over the next decade.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for? You might be interested in the following PTA programs in neighboring states: