Healthcare training

Physical Therapist Assistant Training

Learn what physical therapist assistants do and how they do it: a semi-in-depth, practical course covering the role, vocabulary, common procedures, safety and career launch.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Enroll nowView syllabus
What you’ll learn in Physical Therapist Assistant training

A practical, general introduction to the physical therapist assistant job: what the role involves, 15+ key terms, how to perform common tasks such as guard a patient during gait training and teach a home exercise program, safety essentials and how to launch your career. Online, self-paced, about 12 hours, $109.99.

  • Tuition
    $109.99
    Volume pricing from 2 seats
  • Length
    12 hours
    10 modules
  • Format
    Online
    Self-paced, any device
  • Access
    12 months
    LMS access
  • Level
    Beginner
    To intermediate
  • You receive
    Certificate
    Of completion

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain what a physical therapist assistant does day to day, where they work and how the role fits into the team
  • Use 15+ essential physical therapist assistant terms correctly
  • Walk through guard a patient during gait training, teach a home exercise program, and write a SOAP note step by step
  • Identify the tools, equipment and technology used on the job
  • Apply core safety, compliance and professional standards
  • Map your path into the field, including credentials such as State PTA license or certification

Course syllabus

10 modules, about 12 hours in total.

MODULE 01Introduction to the Physical Therapist Assistant Role1 hr
  • What physical therapist assistants do and why the role matters
  • Where they work: settings, employers and teams
  • Pay, job outlook and the career ladder
  • Professional and ethical expectations
MODULE 02A Day on the Job45 min
  • A realistic shift, start to finish
  • Schedules, shifts and workload
  • Working with supervisors, coworkers and customers
  • The best and hardest parts of the job
MODULE 03Essential Physical Therapist Assistant Vocabulary1 hr 10 min
  • Key term: Plan of care
  • Key term: ROM
  • Key term: AROM and PROM
  • Key term: Gait training
  • Key term: Assistive device
  • Plus 10 more terms with practice drills
MODULE 04Core Duties and Responsibilities1 hr 10 min
  • Carry out treatment plans written by the physical therapist
  • Lead therapeutic exercise and stretching sessions
  • Train patients in walking, transfers and assistive devices
  • Apply modalities such as heat, ice and electrical stimulation
  • Teach home exercise programs
MODULE 05Common Tasks, Step by Step2 hr 40 min
  • How to guard a patient during gait training
  • How to teach a home exercise program
  • How to write a SOAP note
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
MODULE 06Tools, Equipment and Technology1 hr
  • Gait belts and parallel bars
  • Walkers, canes and crutches
  • Resistance bands and weights
  • Treadmills and exercise bikes
  • Electrical stimulation and ultrasound units
MODULE 07Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards1 hr 25 min
  • Use gait belts and proper guarding for every mobility task
  • Check vital signs when patients have cardiac or blood pressure concerns
  • Use good body mechanics and ask for help with heavy patients
  • Clean equipment between patients
MODULE 08Skills Employers Look For1 hr
  • Therapeutic exercise
  • Gait and transfer training
  • Modalities application
  • Encouragement and motivation
  • Patience
MODULE 09Launching Your Physical Therapist Assistant Career1 hr
  • Education and training pathways
  • Credential overview: State PTA license or certification
  • Credential overview: National Physical Therapy Examination for PTAs
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Your first 90 days on the job
MODULE 10Final Knowledge Check1 hr
  • Comprehensive practice exam with explanations
  • Certificate of completion on passing

Who this training is for

  • Students: find out what the physical therapist assistant job is really like before choosing a program or major.
  • Career changers: test-drive the field and build vocabulary and confidence before investing in formal training.
  • New hires and employers: shorten ramp-up time with a consistent foundation for every new physical therapist assistant.

Pricing

$109.99 per learner. Buying for a team? Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners.

SeatsDiscount
2 to 101% off
11 to 202% off
21 to 503% off
51 to 1005% off
101 to 2507% off
251 to 5008% off
501 to 1,00010% off

Free preview lessons

Sample the course material for free:

Why train for this career

Physical therapist assistants work under the direction of physical therapists to carry out treatment plans, guiding patients through exercises, gait training and other therapy to restore movement and reduce pain. BLS reports a median wage of $68,380 (May 2025) and about 18,500 openings per year. Read the full physical therapist assistant career profile or see salary details.

Enroll in Physical Therapist Assistant Training

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Course Physical Therapist Assistant Training · 12 hours · $109.99 per learner

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Physical Therapist Assistant training FAQ
How long is the Physical Therapist Assistant training?
About 12 hours, online, self-paced. You get 12 months of LMS access, so you can learn around work or school.
How much does the Physical Therapist Assistant training cost?
$109.99 per learner. Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners, up to 10% off for large groups.
Is the course online?
Yes. The course runs on our online learning platform (LMS). After you enroll, we email your login details.
Will this course make me a licensed or certified physical therapist assistant?
No. This is a general career-preparation course. It does not by itself grant a state license, national certification or academic credit. All states require PTAs to be licensed or certified, usually by graduating from a CAPTE-accredited program and passing the NPTE for PTAs. States also set supervision rules for PTAs. It is designed to help you understand the job and prepare for the formal training, exams and interviews that follow.
Who is this course for?
Students exploring careers, adults changing careers, new hires who want a faster ramp-up, and employers onboarding physical therapist assistants.
How do I enroll?
Use the enrollment form on this page. It opens a pre-filled email to our team, and we reply with your payment link or invoice and your LMS access. You can also call 1-866-429-6742.
Do you offer group or employer pricing?
Volume pricing from 2 seats. Choose “My team or employees” on the form or visit our employer training page.
What do I receive when I finish?
Certificate of completion from Career Education Institute after you pass the final knowledge check.


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