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#how old do you have to be for physical therapist?
#physical-therapist
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Susie’s Answer
I am not sure if you mean, 'what is the youngest age person a PT might treat'? Or 'how old is a person when they graduate with a PT degree?'
To answer the second question first: In the USA, if you are thinking of becoming a PT, you will need a DPT, or a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, to get a license and practice as a PT now. Some therapists who were trained years ago have a BS or a Masters Degree. So, if the average college graduate is 21-22 years old, and you go right on to enroll in a DPT program, then you would be coming out of school with a DPT at age 24-25. DPT school is 3 years. Some people work in between, and then start DPT school later, at age 27-35.
Second question: Pediatric PTs treat infants from birth, including babies born prematurely. Some pediatric PTs are specially trained to work in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and may consult on babies quite young, ages 28 weeks gestation and up, but sometimes younger, if there is a specific concern.
To answer the second question first: In the USA, if you are thinking of becoming a PT, you will need a DPT, or a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, to get a license and practice as a PT now. Some therapists who were trained years ago have a BS or a Masters Degree. So, if the average college graduate is 21-22 years old, and you go right on to enroll in a DPT program, then you would be coming out of school with a DPT at age 24-25. DPT school is 3 years. Some people work in between, and then start DPT school later, at age 27-35.
Second question: Pediatric PTs treat infants from birth, including babies born prematurely. Some pediatric PTs are specially trained to work in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and may consult on babies quite young, ages 28 weeks gestation and up, but sometimes younger, if there is a specific concern.
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Rodolfo’s Answer
Old enough to be empathetic to your patients’ needs.