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You may be considering a career as a physical therapy assistant in Michigan.
In that case, read on for some tips and info regarding this job, but also licensing.
Article Table of Contents
Earning Your License as a Physical Therapist Assistant
In Michigan, you will need certification so that you can get employed.
You first need to get a Physical Therapist Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degree.
In order to get a degree, you need to join a training program in a school.
This program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and by the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy.
In Michigan, programs for physical therapy assistants are available in the following schools:
- Ann Arbor
- Flint
- Allen Park
- Auburn Hills
- Muskegon
- University Center
- Hancock
- Dearborn
- Battle Creek
- Clinton Township
- Pleasant
- Fenton
- Novi
An associate’s degree program usually lasts for around 2 years.
You will be required to take both theory and practice hours.
The clinical training is completed in a facility and needs to be at least 560 hours long.
The clinics will also require a background check before you start to practice there.
The clinics that are open to clinical practice are:
- Henry Ford Hospital – Detroit
- Mary Mercy Hospital – Livonia
- McLaren Northern Michigan – Petoskey
- William Beaumont Hospital – Detroit
- Mercy Memorial Hospital System – Monroe
- Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility – Coldwater
The classes you will attend feature the next subjects:
- Introduction to Electronic Health Records
- Clinical Pathology
- Medical Terminology
- Therapeutic Documentation for the PTA
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Functional Mobility
- Acute and Long-Term Care
- Neurological Foundations of Motor Control for the PTA
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Clinical Kinesiology
After you get your diploma, you can gather the documents required to get certified as a physical therapy assistant.
You will need to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs, provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
The required documents include:
- $135 application fee
- An application form
- Answering the questions for the jurisprudence exam
- The questionnaire is found in the application form
- You must answer correctly at least 19 questions to pass it
- Certified school transcripts submitted by your school
The documents need to be sent to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Health Care Services found in Lansing.
To get a physical therapist license, you will take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapy assistants.
The exam is open book and features subjects like:
- Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment (28%)
- Equipment & Devices; Therapeutic Modalities (14.7%)
- Interventions (30.7%)
- Physical Therapy Data Collection (20.7%)
- Safety & Protection; Professional Responsibilities; Research (6%)
You will have to score at least 600 in order to pass the test.
In addition, you have to pay a $400 exam fee.
This fee needs to be sent to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
To prepare for the test, you can study the candidate handbook provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
The exam includes 200 questions and has a duration of 4 hours.
In Michigan, you also need to pass a jurisprudence exam by giving correct answers to 19 out of 25 questions.
The exam’s questions are in regards to the Michigan State Physical Therapy Laws and Regulations.
After you pass the exams, you will be issued a certification in 3 weeks.
Physical Therapist Assistant Employment and Salary Information
The most important companies you can get hired for in Michigan are:
- Omega Rehab Services – Dearborn
- PT Solutions – Kalamazoo
- Borgess Gardens – Kalamazoo
- TheraMatrix, Inc. – Pontiac
- Advantage Living Therapy – Detroit
- Advanced Rehabilitation – Farmington Hills
- Peter Medical Center – Dearborn
- HCR ManorCare – West Bloomfield Township
- Encore Rehabilitation Services – Detroit
- Select Specialty Hospital – Grosse Pointe
- Oakland Physical Therapy, P.C. – Novi
- Athletico Physical Therapy – Hillsdale
When it comes to job openings and salaries, the prospects are favorable in Michigan.
Physical therapy assistant jobs will grow by 26.1% between 2012 and 2022.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $56,818 |
| Grand Rapids | $54,176 |
| Warren | $56,818 |
| Sterling Heights | $56,639 |
| Ann Arbor | $57,645 |
| Lansing | $54,075 |
| Clinton | $57,377 |
| Flint | $52,072 |
| Dearborn | $56,818 |
| Livonia | $56,639 |
Regional Salary in Michigan
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 110 | $65,340 | $31.41 | $79,370 | $47,540 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 50 | $56,260 | $27.05 | $62,020 | $49,380 |
| Bay City, MI | 40 | $54,970 | $26.43 | $62,160 | $48,030 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 1,160 | $57,520 | $27.66 | $74,050 | $30,980 |
| Flint, MI | 120 | $55,030 | $26.46 | $64,620 | $29,950 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 510 | $64,030 | $30.78 | $73,730 | $50,590 |
| Jackson, MI | 40 | $58,600 | $28.17 | $72,200 | $44,800 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 90 | $59,020 | $28.37 | $80,050 | $39,810 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 80 | $59,850 | $28.77 | $69,880 | $40,520 |
| Muskegon, MI | 50 | $59,540 | $28.63 | $71,230 | $47,110 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | 30 | $57,680 | $27.73 | $69,070 | $44,270 |
| Saginaw, MI | 50 | $61,370 | $29.5 | $105,760 | $36,840 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Physical Therapist Assistant License Renewal Information
In Michigan, you will not have to attend any extra education hours to get your license renewed.
You have to renew your physical therapy assistant license once at 2 years.
You will get notified about 2 months before your license expires.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant Schools by State