What is the PT Compact? Compact physical therapy states refer to the group of states that have passed or are in the process of passing the Physical Therapy Compact legislature. This agreement allows licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to hold one compact license in their primary state and practice in multiple states without requiring additional licenses. Essentially, a physical therapist or assistant who is licensed in a compact physical therapy state can efficiently work in another compact physical therapy state without having to go through the time-consuming and costly process of obtaining a separate license. It’s important to note that not all states participate in this agreement, so practitioners must check if the state they want to work in is part of the Physical Therapy Compact before practicing there. Over 30 states have joined the PT Compact and offer this option for qualified practitioners. What is a PT Compact License? The PT Compact License is a multi-state license that allows physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to practice in member states without obtaining additional licenses. The Compact License was established in 2014 as an interstate agreement between participating states, to increase access to quality healthcare by allowing licensed practitioners to work across state borders. What are the PT Compact States? Physical therapists can work in any participating compact state with a compact multistate license. Here is a full list of compact physical therapy states that accept a universal multi-state license: Alabama(awaiting implementation) Arizona Arkansas Colorado Delaware Georgia Indiana (awaiting implementation) Iowa Kansas(awaiting implementation) Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey(awaiting implementation) North Carolina North Dakota Ohio (awaiting implementation) Oklahoma Pennsylvania(awaiting implementation) South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Some states are in the process of introducing or enacting legislation to become member states. Alaska Connecticut Florida Hawaii Illinois Massachusetts Minnesota Nevada New Mexico New York Rhode Island Vermont States/Territories that don’t have compact privileges California Idaho Maine Michigan Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Wyoming The physical therapy licensure compact offers numerous benefits for physical therapists, patients, and healthcare facilities. Here are some of the key advantages: Benefits for Physical Therapists Increased job opportunities: With a PT Compact license, physical therapists can practice in multiple states without requiring additional licenses, which can expand their career opportunities. Reduced costs: Obtaining multiple...
Physical therapists can work in many settings; from hospitals to schools to even people’s homes. However, some places in the United States are better than others for this particular career. Consider this blog to be your guide to the best states for physical therapists to find employment (based on number of annual job openings and average salary). If you’re a physical therapist or are in the process of becoming a physical therapist, thinking about getting licensed to practice elsewhere in the country, it’s crucial that you choose the best destination for you. Consider how the job market is doing in that state, the benefits of living in that area, and your wants and needs to achieve the best outcome in life. Get to Work Before getting into the best states for physical therapists, we have to consider what are the everyday responsibilities of this medical career and if this is the right move for you. Physical therapists are described as, “moving experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. They diagnose and treat individuals, from newborns to people at the end of life… Physical therapists examine each person and then develop a treatment plan to improve their ability to move, reduce, or manage, pain, restore function, and prevent disability” according to APTA. This career is very much about understanding the mechanics of the body and every single day is unique. With each client being different and having a variety of needs, you’ll be tasked in helping your patient’s long-term success. There is one thing, however, that will stay common throughout your daily practice. You will take notes for every single one of your patients. SOAP notes, or subjective, objective, assessment, and plan notes, allow you to keep track of your patient’s progress. Not only does this form of note taking track progress, but it also will be extremely helpful to the patient’s medical team if they ever need to know previous, clear history. Apart from SOAP notes, you’ll have a busy day teaching new, hands-on exercises to relieve some physical pain for new or returning patients. If you have an onboarding patient, your day becomes a bit busier, but it’s nothing that you can’t handle! Alright, now that we’ve got that out of the way, it’s time to discuss the best states for...
Occupational therapists who are seeking employment should embrace the possibilities and potential of travel therapist jobs. Even though many industries are floundering in economic crisis, travel therapy is one of the few fields that remain afloat in today’s economy. This flourishing avenue of employment persists as the need for specialized therapists continues to intensify. Throughout the United States countless schools are in search...
