Physical Therapist Assistant

Information on the alignment requirements for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program

CIP Code: 51.0806
CIP Name: Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant
Definition: A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of a physical therapist, to implement physical therapy treatment care plans, train patients, conduct treatment interventions, use equipment, and observe and record patient progress. Includes instruction in applied anatomy and physiology, applied kinesiology, principles and procedures of physical therapy, basic neurology and orthopedics, physical therapy modalities, documentation skills, psychosocial aspects of health care, wound and injury care, electrotherapy, working with orthotics and prostheses, and personal and professional ethics.

Approval Status

The Physical Therapist Assistant re-alignment was approved by the KBOR Technical Education Authority on May 26, 2022.  Colleges are granted one year from the approval date to implement the alignment. Implementation due by the Fall 2023 semester. 

State Faculty Committee Recommendation

• Minimum length of program is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
• Minimum credential is the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) offered by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• CAPTE Programmatic accreditation is mandatory
• Course competencies and standards must align with CAPTE. Only general education support courses will be aligned

Alignment Map

Common Courses
No common courses aligned - institutions may utilize existing courses which adhere to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) content matrix requirements, courses competencies and standards. 

Support Courses - minimum 15 credit hours 
Institutions may utilize existing like courses which adhere to the agreed upon course lengths and competencies. 

To learn where this program is available in Kansas, visit the Kansas Career Technical Education Program Search.