How do I become a PTA in Georgia?
To work as a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) in Georgia you will first need to graduate from an accredited PTA school. Georgia has 7 CAPTE-accredited schools.
After completing your education, you’ll be required to pass both a State jurisprudence exam and the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to obtain your PTA license.
Below you will find all the necessary details on these top PTA schools as well as additional information on certification and licensing, and salary and job outlook. The information provided is current for 2024, ensuring you have all the necessary details to make the best decision for your career.
Top Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Schools in Georgia
There are currently 7 CAPTE-accredited schools offering PTA programs in Georgia.
1. Albany State University, Albany
- Address: 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA 31707-3023
- Phone: (229) 500-2233
- Email: kameron.causey@asurams.edu
Albany State University is a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 6,000 students.
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, fully accredited by CAPTE until December 31, 2031, spans two years, with a class size of 20 students per year. Offered in a full-time day format, the program mandates 40 hours of clinical observation by June 1st in diverse physical therapy settings. Graduates receive an Associate of Science degree.
Each semester, the student will have a full load of coursework and a grade of 75 or higher must be achieved in order to pass each class. The program statistics: a 100% employment rate for the 2021-2022 period, an 89% graduation rate for 2022-2023, and an overall and first-time pass rate is 100% for 2022 -2023.
Albany State University provides on-campus accommodation.
The total tuition and fees for in-state students exceed $7,500.
For more information, visit the program page at https://www.asurams.edu/academic-affairs/dchealthprof/health/pta/index.php.
2. Athens Technical College, Athens
– Address: 800 US Highway 29 North, Athens, GA 30601-1546
– Phone: (706) 355-5176
– Email: eokeefe@athenstech.edu
Athens Technical College is a public technical college with an enrollment of approximately 4,200 students.
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Athens Technical College is a fully CAPTE-accredited program, with accreditation valid until December 31, 2023. The program spans two years and operates in a full-time day format, admitting students once per year at the beginning of the fall semester. With an average class size of almost 20 students, graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree upon completion.
The program performance metrics, a graduation rate of 88.67% over the two-year average (2022-2023). Additionally, the licensure pass rates for first-time and ultimate attempts in 2022-2023 stand at 100%, a 100% employment rate over the same period.
The campus does not offer on-campus accommodation.
For in-state students, the total tuition and fees for the PTA program at Athens Technical College exceed $10,000.
More details about the program can be found on the program page: https://athenstech.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2023-2024/catalog/life-sciences-and-public-safety/physical-therapist-assistant/physical-therapist-assistant-major-code-pta3/.
3. Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta
– Address: 1560 Metropolitan Parkway. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310-4446
– Phone: 404.225.4573
– Email: thoward-Feltner@atlantatech.edu
Atlanta Technical College, a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 3400 students.
The fully CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program with accreditation valid until December 31, 2029., lasting two years, admits 12-15 students annually. The format includes five semesters of continuous full-time study, incorporating general education, health core curriculum, specific occupational courses, and clinical experiences.
Graduates of the PTA program receive an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The program has a 2-Year Average Graduation Rate of 93%, a First-Time Pass Rate of 49.7%, and a Licensure Pass Rate of 74.1%, based on 2021-2022 data. The employment rate for the same period stands at 100%.
The campus does not provide on-campus accommodation.
The total tuition and fees for in-state students exceed $12,000.
For more information, visit the program page: https://atlantatech.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2023-2024/college-catalog/programs-of-study/physical-therapist-assistant/physical-therapist-assistant-aas/.
4. Central Georgia Technical College, Warner Robins
– Address: 80 Cohen Walker Dr. Warner Robins, GA 31088
– Phone: (478) 218-3765
– Email: mawalker@centralgatech.edu
Central Georgia Technical College offers a public institution with an approximate enrollment of 4000 students.
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at Central Georgia Technical College is a fully CAPTE-accredited 76-credit-hour degree program. The competitive selection program spans two years, with 14 students per class enrolled in a full-time day format.
The curriculum includes four semesters of PTA coursework and integrated clinical rotations, followed by two long-term clinical experiences (36-40 hours per week) during the final semester. Graduates are awarded an Associate of Science degree. The program’s accreditation is valid until June 30, 2026.
The program has a 2-year average graduation rate of 96% and an 88.15% first-attempt pass rate on the NPTE, with an ultimate pass rate of 92%. Additionally, 100% of graduates were employed within one year of passing the NPTE.
Central Georgia Technical College provides on-campus accommodation.
For in-state students, the total tuition and fees for the PTA program exceed $8000.
More details about the program can be found on the program page https://www.centralgatech.edu/programs-of-study/health-sciences/physical-therapy.
5. Chattahoochee Technical College, Acworth
– Address: 5198 Ross Road Acworth, GA 30102
– Phone: (770) 975-4000
– Email: aaron.freeman@chattahoocheetech.edu
Chattahoochee Technical College’s North Metro Campus is a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students. The PTA Program, fully accredited by CAPTE until December 31, 2025, is exclusively offered in person on the North Metro Campus. While some classes incorporate online components, the majority of the program follows a full-time day format.
This two-year program admits around 20 students each fall based on a points system. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Notably, the PTA Program outcomes, with a 94% graduation rate (2022-2023), a 100% licensure exam pass rate (2021-2022), and a 100% first-time pass rate for the licensure exam in the same period. The employment rate within six months of graduation for 2021-2022 at 100%.
The campus does not offer on-campus accommodation.
For in-state students, the total tuition and fees for the PTA Program exceed $9500.
More details can be found on the program page: https://www.chattahoocheetech.edu/physical-therapist-assistant/.
6. Lanier Technical College, Cumming
– Address: 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd Cumming, GA 30041
– Phone: (678) 341-6600
– Email: jadams@laniertech.edu
Lanier Technical College is a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 5000 students. The PTA program, fully accredited by CAPTE until December 31, 2031, spans two years, with 18 students per class. Conducted in a full-time day format, the curriculum consists of 76 credit hours.
Lanier Technical College program statistics: a 2-year graduation rate of 97% for 2022-2023, a 100% employment rate for 2021-2022, and a 100% pass rate for the National Licensure Exam in 2022-2023.First-time National Licensure Pass Rate: 2022: 100% and 2023: 94%. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program, based on the Forsyth Campus, entails clinical rotations with flexible hours from 7 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday.
The campus offers no on-campus accommodation.
For in-state students, the total tuition and fees for the PTA program exceed $8000.
Further details about the program can be found on the program page: https://www.laniertech.edu/programs/healthcare/physical-therapist-assistant/.
7. South University - Savannah
– Address: 709 Mall Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31406-4805
– Phone: (912) 201-8000
– Email: vnash@southuniversity.edu
South University Savannah is a private University, independent status with an approximate enrollment of 900 students.
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program at South University Savannah offers a fully CAPTE-accredited Associate of Science degree. Typically completed in two years, the program accommodates approximately 22 students per class. The curriculum spans six academic quarters, blending lecture, laboratory, and clinical coursework. Two full-time clinical education experiences, totaling 640 hours.
Accredited until June 30, 2032, the PTA program statistics 68.4% graduation rate and NPTE licensure exam pass rates (85% ultimate pass rate and 67.5% first-time pass rate) for the 2020-2021 academic year. With a 100% graduate employment rate.
The campus offers no on-campus accommodation.
For in-state students, the total tuition and fees exceed $33,000 annually.
Further details about the program can be found at https://www.southuniversity.edu/savannah/physical-therapist-assistant-as.
You can also browse the map below to view all schools offering physical therapy assistant programs in Georgia and neighboring areas.
Physical Therapy Assistant Certification Georgia
Once you have graduated from an accredited school in Georgia 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.
Georgia 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, where required, 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 the workplace. The NPTE exams are developed and administered by the US Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Georgia PTA License Requirements
To work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Georgia, a degree from an accredited school is required. After graduation, obtaining a license entails passing both a State jurisprudence exam and the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
Additionally, a fingerprint background check is mandatory. License renewal, required every two years, involves completing continuing education. The Georgia Board of Physical Therapy oversees licensing and can be contacted at
Address: 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217-3858
Phone: (478) 207-2440
Website: http://sos.ga.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 that will allow a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to practice outside of the state in which they obtained their license.
Average Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Georgia
| Georgia PTA Salary | $64,530 |
| Hourly Wage | $31.03 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $30,180 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $90,070 |
| # Employed | 3140 |
In Georgia, the median salary for Physical Therapy Assistants is $64,530, exceeding the national average by 3%. The average hourly wage is $31.03. Among the 3,140 employed individuals, the top 10% earned as much as $90,070, while the bottom 10% earned $30,180. These figures illustrate a favorable salary landscape for Physical Therapy Assistants in the state of Georgia.
Between 2018 and 2022, Georgia experienced a $7,540 (13%) increase in the average annual salary for Physical Therapy Assistants, reaching $64,530 in 2022. Over the same period, employment surged by 900 positions (40%), totaling 3,140 employed individuals in 2022. Looking ahead, the projected growth in PTA employment from 2020 to 2030 suggests a substantial 58% increase, indicating significant demand for Physical Therapy Assistants in the state of Georgia.
There are approximately persons currently employed as PTA’s in Georgia.
PTA Salaries and Employment in Georgia by Metro Area
The table below breaks down the salary and employment of physical therapist assistants by Metro area across the state.
| City | Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County | 50 | $67,430 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 1,230 | $60,170 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 180 | $59,680 |
| Columbus | 100 | $58,390 |
| Gainesville | 50 | $55,690 |
| Macon | 70 | $52,790 |
| Rome | 50 | $55,420 |
| Savannah | 100 | $62,190 |
| Valdosta | 50 | $51,010 |
| Warner Robins | 60 | $56,040 |
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