To become a Physical Therapy Assistant in Colorado (CO) you will need to complete a Physical Therapist Assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). After graduation, candidates must pass the National Physical Therapy Examinations (NPTE) to obtain their PTA license.
Colorado offers PTA programs at 5 accredited schools.
Below you will find detailed information on some of these top schools, as well as information on what you can expect in terms of income and employment.
Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Schools in Colorado
There are currently 5 CAPTE accredited schools offering physical therapy assistant degrees in Colorado.
| Name | City | Accredited Until |
|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe Community College | Castle Rock | 6/30/2026 |
| Arapahoe Community College (Expansion) | Littleton | |
| Concorde Career College | Aurora | 12/31/2028 |
| Morgan Community College | Fort Morgan | 12/31/2024 |
| Pima Medical Institute | Denver | 6/30/2032 |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | 6/30/2026 |
Arapahoe Community College, Castle Rock
– Locations: Castle Rock (Parent Program), Littleton (Expansion Program)
– Phone: (303) 797-5897
– Email: paula.provence@arapahoe.edu
Arapahoe Community College, a public community college with an approximate enrollment of 24,000 students, offers a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program.
The PTA program, fully accredited by CAPTE until June 30, 2026, 2-year duration, featuring a full-time day format and a part-time day option, accommodating classes of around 20 students.
The program, leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree, comprises 58 credit hours of PTA courses and 17 transferable general education hours. Graduates showcase an 88.2% graduation rate for 2020-2021, with a 75% first-time NPTA exam pass rate in 2022. All graduates seeking employment secured positions as PTAs within one year of passing the licensure exam in 2021-2022.
The campus does not provide on-campus accommodation.
For in-state students, the total tuition and fees exceed $15,000 for both Castle Rock and Littleton campuses.
Further details about the program can be found at https://www.arapahoe.edu/academics-programs/programs/physical-therapist-assistant.
Concorde Career College, Aurora
– Address: 111 Havana Street Aurora, CO 80010-4314 United States
– Phone: (303) 861-1151
– Email: apaez@concorde.edu
Concorde Career College-Aurora, a private for-profit institution with an approximate enrollment of 1600 students,
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Concorde Career College-Aurora spans 21 months, conferring an Associate of Applied Science Degree upon completion. Classes are offered in a full-time day format, with a class size that is not specified. The program is fully accredited by CAPTE until December 31, 2028.
With a 90% graduation rate in 2020-2021 and a 100% employment rate in 2021, Concorde Career College – Aurora’s PTA program prepares students for successful entry into the healthcare profession.
The campus not providing on-campus accommodation, offers a conducive environment for academic pursuits.
For in-state students, the total tuition and fees for the PTA program exceed $37,000.
Further details about the program can be found on the official program page: https://www.concorde.edu/patient-care-programs/physical-therapist-assistant/aurora.
Morgan Community College, Fort Morgan
– Address: 920 Barlow Road, Fort Morgan, CO 80701-4371, United States
– Phone: (970) 542-3225
– Email: connie.weingarten@morgancc.edu
Morgan Community College is a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 2800 students and offers a small class size.
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Morgan Community College spans 21 months, with classes held 2-3 days per week on the Fort Morgan campus. Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, and the program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) until December 31, 2024.
The program demonstrates a 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and a 100% employment rate within two years of graduation. The college maintains a 2-year graduation rate of 68%.
The campus does not provide on-campus accommodation.
For in-state students, the total tuition and fees for the PTA program exceed $18,000.
Further details and application materials can be found on the program page: https://www.morgancc.edu/area-of-study/pta/
Pima Medical Institute, Denver
– Address: 7475 Dakin Street, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80221-6915 United States
– Phone: (303) 426-1800
– Email: jdavia@pmi.edu
Denver Campus is a private, employee-owned institution with an approximate student population of 1600.
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Pima Medical Institute typically spans 18 months, and classes consist of around 50 students. The program follows a full-time day format, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Graduates receive an Associate of Science degree. The program is fully accredited by CAPTE until June 30, 2032.
The PTA program was completed in 75 weeks with a total of 1,586 program hours, Institute statistics: Graduation Rate (83.6%), First Time Exam Pass Rate (84.4%), Ultimate Licensure Exam Pass Rate (86.5%), and Employment Rate (100%).
The campus does not offer on-campus accommodation.
The total tuition and fees for in-state students exceed $41,000.
For detailed program information, visit the program page https://pmi.edu/on-campus-programs/associate/physical-therapist-assistant/.
Pueblo Community College, Pueblo
– Address: 900 West Orman Avenue Pueblo, CO 81004-1430 United States
– Phone: (719) 549-3433
– Email: Lori.McGill@pueblocc.edu
Pueblo Community College is a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 11,000 students.
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Pueblo Community College is a two-year Associate in Applied Science program. With a class size limited to 20 students, the program is offered in a full-time day format, spanning 2-2 ½ days per week, excluding clinical experiences in the third and fifth semesters. These clinical experiences, lasting 40 hours per week, are typically located in southern Colorado.
Fully accredited by CAPTE until June 30, 2026, the PTA program at Pueblo Community College outcomes the two-year average graduation rate for 2021-2022 is 86%, with a 100% employment rate and a first-time National Exam pass rate of 96.66%. The ultimate National Exam pass rate is also 100%.
Pueblo Community College does not provide on-campus accommodation.
For in-state students, the total tuition and fees for the PTA program exceed $18,000.
Further details about the program can be found on the program page: https://pueblocc.edu/programs/pta.
You can also browse the map below to view more schools offering physical therapy assistant programs in Colorado and neighboring areas.
PTA schools in nearby states: Utah, Kansas, New Mexico
PTA Certification Exams Colorado
Once you have graduated from an accredited school in Colorado 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.
- Colorado does not have any requirement to undertake any local state-level exams at this time.
- However, all candidates seeking initial licensure in the state must complete the National Physical Therapy Examinations (NPTE).
The purpose of the NPTE exams is to ensure a minimum standard of knowledge and competence after graduation and before entering the workplace. The NPTE exams are developed and administered by the US Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Colorado PTA License Requirements
Upon graduating from a CAPTE-accredited program, aspiring Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) in Colorado must obtain a license to practice. This involves passing both the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), and a State level exam. The State exam ensures a comprehensive understanding of local laws and regulations governing PTA practice. To initiate the licensure process, contact the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations – Colorado Physical Therapy Board at the following details:
Address: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202
Email: dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us
Phone: 303-894-7800
Website: https://dpo.colorado.gov/
Update 2018: The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) has recently launched the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact for PTs and PTAs.
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.
Physical Therapy Assistant Salary in Colorado
| Salary | $60,940 |
| Hourly Wage | $29.30 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $46,590 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $78,720 |
| # Employed | 1550 |
In Colorado, the median salary for Physical Therapy Assistants is $60,940, showing a 3% difference from the national average of $62,770. The average hourly wage is $29.30. Among PTA professionals in the state, the top 10% earned $78,720, while the bottom 10% earned $46,590. With 1,550 individuals employed in the field, Colorado’s PTA salaries reflect a modest 3% variance below the national average.
In Colorado, from 2018 to 2022, the median salary for Physical Therapy Assistants increased by 8%, rising from $56,280 to $60,940. Employment in the field also experienced growth, with a 5% increase from 1,470 to 1,550 positions during the same period. Looking ahead, the projected growth in PTA employment in Colorado from 2020 to 2030 is expected to be 38%, indicating substantial opportunities for expansion in the field.
PTA Salaries and Employment in Colorado by Metro Area
The table below breaks down the salary and employment of physical therapist assistants by the Metro area across the state.
| City | Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder | 100 | $54,840 |
| Colorado Springs | 220 | $58,990 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood | 560 | $62,930 |
| Fort Collins | 50 | $60,720 |
| Grand Junction | 30 | $59,830 |
| Greeley | 50 | $59,140 |
| Pueblo | 90 | $55,170 |