What Does ‘DPT’ Stand For After Your Physical Therapist’s Name?

DPT or ‘ Doctor of Physical Therapy’ is a clinical doctorate degree. In combination with an undergraduate degree, physical therapist complete 7-8 years of schooling (depending on the University). As of 2015, all accredited and developing physical therapist programs are DPT curriculum. After completion of DPT program (which is a combination of class work, laboratory work, research, and clinical experience) the candidate must then sit for a licensure examination. Upon passing this exam a Physical Therapist can practice in all 50 states. In 2000 the American Physical Therapy Association http://www.apta.org/ or (APTA) passed its Vision 2020 statement, which states (in part):

“By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health.”