Idaho has 4 accredited Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) schools recognized by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in 2024.
Essential information on these schools, including details on certification, licensing, and salary and employment prospects, has been researched and summarized for you below. The data is current for 2024.
How to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Idaho
- Graduate from an Accredited PTA program in Idaho
- Pass local Idaho and/or National Certification Exams
- Obtain your license to work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Idaho
- How much do Physical Therapist Assistants make in Idaho?
Top Accredited PTA Schools in Idaho
| School Name | Address | Accredited Until |
|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University | Rexburg | 6/30/2031 |
| Carrington College | Boise | 12/31/2027 |
| Idaho Consortium for Physical Therapist Assistant Education | Coeur d'Alene | 12/31/2029 |
| Idaho State University | Pocatello | 6/30/2024 |
There are currently 4 schools in Idaho offering accredited physical therapy assistant training.
Brigham Young University, Rexburg, Idaho
– Address: 145C Clarke Rexburg, ID 83460
– Phone: (208) 496-4654
– Email: coglianesem@byui.edu
Brigham Young University-Idaho is a private institution with an enrollment of approximately 42,000 students. Affiliated with the LDS Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints facilitates this by subsidizing student’s tuition while they are here.
The PTA program at Brigham Young University-Idaho spans two years, conferring graduates with an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. With a class size of 22 students admitted each Fall, the program operates on-campus. Fully accredited by CAPTE until June 30, 2031.
The PTA program outcomes include a 100% graduation rate in 2021, a 100% employment rate in 2020, and a 91% first-time national licensure exam pass rate in 2021.
The campus offers no on-campus accommodation.
The PTA program’s total tuition and costs for in-state students exceed $15,000.
For further details, visit the program’s page at https://www.byui.edu/human-performance-and-recreation/physical-therapist-assistant/about-us.
Carrington College – Boise
– Address: 1122 N Liberty Street Boise, ID 83704
– Phone: (208) 672-0710
– Email: jbird@carrington.edu
Carrington College is a private for-profit institution with an enrollment of approximately 1000 students.
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, fully accredited by CAPTE until December 31, 2027, a class size of 20 students. The program, completed in 19 months, is presented in a full-time day format. Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree.
Carrington College Boise graduation rate of 58.3% most recent two years(2020-2021). The PTA program licensure exam pass rates: 92.85% most recent two years(2020-2021) on the first attempt and a 100% ultimate pass rate most recent two years(2020-2021). Additionally, graduates have had a 100% employment rate most recent two years(2020-2021).
The campus does not offer on-campus accommodation.
The total tuition and fees for Private Institution Student: exceed $45,000.
Further details can be found on the program’s official page: https://carrington.edu/program/physical-therapist-assistant/.
Idaho Consortium for Physical Therapist Assistant Education, Coeur d’Alene
– Address: 132 Meyers Health Sciences Building 1000 W Garden Avenue Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
– Phone: (208) 665-5051
– Email: jrgardunia@nic.edu
The Idaho Consortium for Physical Therapist Assistant Education offers a program through four member colleges: College of Southern Idaho (CSI), College of Western Idaho (CWI), Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC), and North Idaho College (NIC). The PTA program, lasting two years, has class sizes ranging from 6 to 14 students.
Classes are conducted via Interactive Video Conference (IVC) equipment, with students completing the laboratory component at their respective schools. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, and the program is fully CAPTE accredited until December 31, 2029.
Program graduation rate of 95%, a licensure exam pass rate averaging 88%, and an employment rate of 98% 2021-2022 two-year average:
The campus sizes vary, with on-campus accommodation available, except at the College of Western Idaho.
The total tuition and fees for in-state students exceed $14,000. For further details, visit the program page at https://sites.google.com/view/icptae/home?authuser=0.
Idaho State University – College of Technology, Pocatello
– Address: College of Technology 921 S 8th Avenue, Stop 8380 Pocatello, ID 83209-0002
– Phone: 208-282-2800
– Email: lippange@isu.edu
Idaho State University College of Technology is a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students. The College of Technology provides both Physical Therapy (PT) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs.
The PTA program at Idaho State University College of Technology is a full-time, two-year program that commences in August, accepting 26 students annually. Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program is fully accredited by CAPTE until June 30, 2024.
Students are allowed 2 absences from an individual course without penalty. The 3rd absence will result in an automatic reduction of 1 letter grade. The 4th will result in automatic failure of the course(s), and dismissal from the program.
Key program statistics include a high 2-year average (2022-2023) graduation rate of 95.6%, a first-time licensure examination pass rate of 83%, and an ultimate licensure examination pass rate of 95.7%. The employment rate for the 2022-2023 period is impressive at 96.43%.
The campus offers on-campus accommodation.
The PTA program’s total tuition and costs for in-state students exceed $20,000.
Further details about the program can be found on the program page: https://www.isu.edu/pta/.
You can also browse the map below to view all schools offering physical therapy assistant programs in Idaho and neighboring areas.
PTA Certification Requirements in Idaho
Once you have graduated from an accredited school in Idaho 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.
Idaho is one of 4 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).
Idaho PTA Licensing Requirements
To work as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Idaho, you must obtain a license from the Physical Therapy Licensure Board, part of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Graduation from an accredited physical therapist assistant program is a prerequisite, and applicants must pass state jurisprudence exams and national certification exams.
Licenses are renewed annually, with continuing education being a requirement. There are no specific criminal record requirements.
The Bureau of Occupational Licenses regulates the licensing of Physical Therapist Assistants in Idaho. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
Address: 700 West State Street, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0063
Email: pht@ibol.idaho.gov
Phone: (208) 334-3233
Website: http://www.ibol.idaho.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.
Physical Therapy Assistant Salary in Idaho
| Salary | $56,680 |
| Hourly Wage | $27.25 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $26,060 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $77,120 |
| # Employed | 520 |
In Idaho, the median salary for Physical Therapy Assistants is $56,680, marking a 10% difference below the national average. The average hourly wage is $27.25. Among the 520 employed individuals, the top 10% earned as much as $77,120, while the bottom 10% earned $26,060. These figures highlight variations in the salary landscape for Physical Therapy Assistants in the state of Idaho compared to the national average.
Between 2018 and 2022, Idaho experienced a $3,010 (6%) increase in the average annual salary for Physical Therapy Assistants, reaching $56,680 in 2022. Concurrently, employment saw a notable rise by 90 positions (21%), totaling 520 employed individuals in 2022. Looking ahead, the projected growth in PTA employment from 2020 to 2030 suggests a significant 25% increase, indicating robust demand for Physical Therapy Assistants in the state of Idaho.
PTA Salaries and Employment in Idaho 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City | 200 | $48,440 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 110 | $46,610 |
| Idaho Falls | 70 | $51,290 |
| Pocatello | 70 | $39,690 |
| Twin Falls | 30 | $43,380 |