Partners in Motion: PTs and PTAs Strengthening Interprofessional Teams
Exciting Update: PTA Eligibility for Membership in the NAP Physical Therapy Academy
Spread the word! Beginning with the 2026 nomination cycle, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) who meet eligibility criteria as defined by the NAP Bylaws and the Physical Therapy Academy’s Operation Manual are invited to apply for membership. Qualified PTAs must demonstrate excellence in practice, scholarship, or public policy across a career of 5 years for professional members or 10 years or more for fellows and a strong commitment to interprofessional collaboration and accessible, affordable healthcare for all. If you work with a PTA who embodies these values, please consider nominating them for membership in the NAP Physical Therapy Academy when nominations open in January.
The physical therapy profession is recognized for its role in diagnosing and managing movement dysfunction to promote, restore, and maximize the health, physical function, and quality of life.1 Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are licensed professionals who deliver care across a wide range of settings and populations. Their role on the interprofessional team is essential for optimizing mobility, independence, function, and overall patient/client outcomes.
As movement and function specialists, PTs and PTAs are integral members of the interprofessional healthcare team. Their expertise in mobility, activity, and participation complements the roles of physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and other health professionals. PTs and PTAs contribute to improved health outcomes by addressing mobility, reducing risk for falls, enhancing independence, and preventing secondary complications. Their person-centered care model aligns closely with interprofessional goals of delivering coordinated, comprehensive, and equitable care. The collaborative intraprofessional relationships between PTs and PTAs vary by state in accordance with the roles and responsibilities of PTAs as defined in the state’s Practice Act, also influenced at times by healthcare organization policies.
PTs are graduates of an accredited PT education program (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy) and are licensed to practice in their jurisdiction. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree has been the required entry-level degree since 2016, though many experienced PTs continue to practice with bachelor’s or master’s degrees obtained under earlier standards. PTs examine, evaluate, diagnose, and implement treatment plans. They play a vital role in overall health and wellness and the prevention and management of disease and disability, providing care and preventative services across the lifespan and in diverse settings, including acute care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, home health, schools, and long-term care. Additionally, Many PTs pursue board certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) in one of 10 clinical specialty areas (cardiovascular & pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, sports, women’s health, and wound management). Additional certification options (e.g., dry needling, vestibular rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, pelvic floor, and manual lymphatic drainage) are available through external practice organizations.
PTAs are graduates of an accredited PTA associate degree program and licensed to practice in their jurisdiction. They provide care under the direction and supervision of a PT, contributing to the implementation of the treatment plan. PTAs work across the same care settings and populations as PTs, supporting interventions that enhance mobility and function. Through APTA’s Advanced Proficiency Pathways, PTAs may develop expertise in eight areas of practice (acute care, cardiovascular & pulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and wound management).
The NAP Physical Therapy Academy remains committed to elevating the voices of both PTs and PTAs in advancing interprofessional care. We celebrate the evolving roles of these professionals and their shared mission to improve movement, health, and quality of life for all.
- American Physical Therapy Association. Guide to Physical Therapist Practice 4.0. 2023. https://guide.apta.org/
