Sports and physical activity can place considerable demands on the body, particularly when athletes train regularly, compete at high levels, or return to activity after an injury. This makes proper rehabilitation and injury prevention an important part of helping athletes maintain their movement, performance, and long-term physical health.
If you are interested in helping athletes maintain their fitness levels, recover from injuries, and return safely to competition, a career in sports physical therapy may be the right path for you.
Entering the sports physical therapy field is a demanding process that requires extensive education, clinical training, and licensure. In the article below, we will take a closer look at this qualification process and show you how to become a sports physical therapist step by step.
Understanding Sports Physical Therapists
Sports physical therapists are licensed physical therapists who specialize in working with athletes and other physically active individuals. Their role centers on helping patients recover from sports-related injuries, restore movement and function, and safely return to exercising, athletic training, or competing.
The daily responsibilities of sports PTs include assessing injuries and movement limitations, developing individualized rehabilitation plans, and using therapeutic exercise and other physical therapy interventions to help patients regain strength, mobility, balance, and coordination.
As their patients progress through their rehabilitation, sports PTs also monitor their response to treatment and adjust the program based on their recovery and the physical demands of the activity they are preparing to return to.
It is important to point out that sports PTs not only treat injuries after they occur, but also work to prevent them. Drawing on their knowledge of human movement and biomechanics, they may also help athletes reduce their risk of injury and improve their movement.
In some settings, sports PTs may also work alongside physicians, athletic trainers, coaches, and other sports medicine professionals as part of a broader team responsible for an athlete’s care.
Considering the level of clinical expertise required to assess movement and develop appropriate treatment plans, becoming a sports PT is a highly regulated process that requires earning a doctoral degree, completing clinical training, and obtaining professional licensure.
Work Settings for Sports Physical Therapists
While professional sports organizations may be the first workplace that comes to mind when thinking about sports PTs, in reality, the expertise of a skilled sports physical therapist can find its place in a wide range of professional environments and settings, including the following:
- Outpatient physical therapy clinics where sports PTs treat patients recovering from musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries
- Sports rehabilitation centers where they often work as part of multidisciplinary teams alongside physicians, athletic trainers, and other healthcare professionals
- Colleges and universities where sports PTs may provide rehabilitation and return-to-sport care for student-athletes in a campus sports therapy clinic
- Athletic and performance facilities where their work may combine rehabilitation, injury prevention, and sport-specific movement training
- Professional and amateur sports organizations where they may work directly with athletes during training, competition, and recovery
- Hospitals and rehabilitation facilities where sports PTs may treat patients with orthopedic injuries that require more structured rehabilitation
In addition to these more common settings, there are also other environments, such as fitness centers and private sports performance practices, where licensed PTs can practice sports physical therapy and work with active individuals outside organized athletic programs.
Important Skills for Sports Physical Therapists
Beyond the academic and clinical preparation, there is one equally important but often overlooked aspect of working as a sports PT, and that is the set of personal skills required for the role.
Given the very specific demands of working closely with injured athletes throughout the rehabilitation process, not everyone can perform the role equally well, and to work effectively as a sports physical therapist, professionals need:
- A strong sense of empathy to understand the frustration and uncertainty patients may experience while recovering from an injury
- Excellent problem-solving ability to respond when rehabilitation does not progress as expected and adjust treatment accordingly
- Strong communication skills to explain exercises, restrictions, and recovery goals clearly to patients and coordinate with other professionals involved in their care
- Sharp critical-thinking skills to evaluate patient progress, interpret clinical findings, and make appropriate treatment decisions
- A great deal of patience to support athletes through rehabilitation periods that may take weeks or months to complete
- Adequate physical stamina to spend long periods standing, demonstrating exercises, and assisting patients with movement
- Steady composure under pressure to respond appropriately when injuries occur in fast-paced athletic environments
Taken together, these qualities can make a noticeable difference in how effectively sports PTs communicate with patients, respond to setbacks, and guide athletes through the different stages of rehabilitation.
Requirements for Becoming a Sports Physical Therapist
Having established what sports physical therapists do and the skills they need to succeed in this field, we can now turn our attention to outlining the formal requirements for entering the profession.
To meet the qualification requirements for practicing sports therapy at the professional level, aspiring individuals need to:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree and prerequisite coursework required for admission to a DPT program
- Earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a CAPTE-accredited program
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination
- Obtain a valid physical therapist license before beginning professional practice
- Complete a sports physical therapy residency
- Secure a Clinical Specialist board certification
To put it in simple terms, aspiring sports PTs first need to become licensed physical therapists and then develop additional expertise specifically for the sports physical therapy specialty area.
How to Become a Sports Physical Therapist
Now that we have a clearer idea of what the path of becoming a sports PT involves, we can break the qualification process down into practical steps and examine them one by one.
Complete Your Undergraduate Education
The path to becoming a sports physical therapist begins at the undergraduate level, where students pursue a bachelor’s degree and simultaneously work toward meeting the admission requirements for entry into professional physical therapy education.
As undergraduate students, sports PTs are not required to choose any specific majors, though studying fields related to health, science, or human movement can all provide useful preparation for the coursework they will encounter later in their training.
For example, studying kinesiology, exercise physiology, or biology can give students a stronger background in areas such as human movement and anatomy.
While students have the flexibility to choose their major, the one requirement they need to account for is the prerequisite coursework established by the DPT programs they may want to attend. Namely, physical therapy graduate programs set their own admission requirements, and students should make sure they enroll in a bachelor’s program that meets them.
Earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
Once students complete their undergraduate education and meet the necessary admission requirements, they can move on to the professional degree stage by enrolling in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
DPT programs are graduate-level professional programs that are designed to provide aspiring physical therapists with the advanced knowledge and clinical foundation needed to evaluate movement, identify functional limitations, and develop appropriate treatment strategies.
Their coursework commonly covers areas such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, musculoskeletal care, therapeutic exercise, and patient assessment.
During their time in physical therapy school, students learn how to examine patients, develop individualized treatment plans, and apply appropriate physical therapy interventions.
In addition to classroom and laboratory instruction, most DPT programs also include a practical clinical education component, which allows students to apply what they have learned while treating patients under professional supervision.
One key thing we should point out here is that PT licensure has strict requirements when it comes to program accreditation. Namely, only DPT programs that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) are viable pathways to PT licensure, so students should verify a program’s accreditation status before enrolling.
Complete Your Supervised Clinical Education
In addition to completing the academic portion of the program, physical therapy students also need to complete a period of supervised clinical education before they can graduate.
The required supervised clinical placements can take place in a variety of healthcare settings and expose students to different patient populations and areas of physical therapy practice. These include outpatient clinics, hospital departments, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and specialty practices where students can gain exposure to more specific areas of physical therapy care.
However, for students whose goal is to specialize in sports physical therapy, it would be ideal to secure a clinical placement in an orthopedic or sports medicine setting where they can gain direct experience treating musculoskeletal injuries and working with physically active patients.
During their clinical experience, DPT students work with patients under the supervision of licensed physical therapists and begin applying the knowledge and techniques they developed in the classroom. They learn how to conduct patient examinations, interpret clinical findings, carry out treatment plans, and monitor how patients respond to different interventions.
By the time students complete their supervised clinical education, they should have accumulated enough practical experience to apply their academic knowledge with greater confidence in real patient-care situations.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination
With their academic and clinical education complete, DPT graduates can move on to the examination stage of the qualification process by taking the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
Administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), the NPTE is designed to assess whether candidates have the entry-level knowledge and abilities needed to practice physical therapy safely and competently.
The physical therapist examination consists of 225 multiple-choice questions covering the major areas of physical therapy practice. It tests candidates on their knowledge of the body systems, physical therapy interventions, and patient management, as well as the clinical judgment developed throughout their DPT education.
And while passing the NPTE is a major requirement for becoming a licensed physical therapist that is enforced nationwide, we must point out that some states may also impose state-specific examination requirements, such as jurisprudence assessments or tests on local physical therapy laws and regulations.
To make sure that they meet all examination requirements in their jurisdiction, candidates need to review the rules established by their state licensing authority before applying for licensure.
Obtain Your Physical Therapist License
After passing the NPTE, candidates can move on to the final stage of becoming qualified physical therapists and apply for their state-issued professional license.
To submit their applications, candidates need to provide the relevant state licensing board with proof that they graduated from an approved physical therapy program and passed the NPTE.
In addition, depending on the state and the board they’re applying to, they may also need to submit official transcripts, complete a criminal background check, pass a jurisprudence assessment, or meet other jurisdiction-specific requirements.
Once the licensing authority reviews their submission and determines that they meet all applicable requirements, it can issue a physical therapist license in their name and grant them authorization to practice professionally within the state.
Start Working as a Licensed Physical Therapist
The moment a candidate receives their professional license marks the end of the formal qualification process and the beginning of their professional career as a physical therapist.
With their license secured, newly qualified PTs can start looking for employment opportunities and begin practicing physical therapy at a professional capacity. Depending on the positions available to them, they may find work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, sports medicine centers, or other settings where physical therapists provide patient care.
Those who manage to secure a position that involves working with athletes or other physically active patients can begin moving into sports physical therapy at this point.
However, securing such a position is not guaranteed, particularly for professionals entering the field for the first time, and those who want to improve their chances of reaching this specialty can pursue additional postprofessional training through a sports physical therapy residency.
Complete a Sports Physical Therapy Residency
Even though licensed physical therapists can begin working professionally as soon as they secure their license, those who want to improve their preparation for sports-focused practice can take an additional step and complete a sports physical therapy residency.
Sports residencies are postprofessional training programs designed to help licensed PTs develop more advanced knowledge and clinical abilities within the specialty.
Rather than repeating the general preparation completed during a DPT program, they combine sports-specific clinical practice with structured education, one-on-one mentoring, and guided learning focused on the demands of working with athletic populations.
Throughout their residency, physical therapists can receive advanced training in areas such as sports injury rehabilitation, return-to-sport care, injury prevention, and acute injury management while treating patients under the guidance of experienced clinicians.
Accredited sports residency programs also incorporate experience in outpatient care and athletic event coverage, allowing residents to develop their skills in both clinical and athletic environments.
When choosing a program, PTs should look for one accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), which accredits sports physical therapy residencies and establishes standards for their curriculum and training.
Obtain Board Certification as a Sports Clinical Specialist
In addition to completing a sports physical therapy residency, the other major step that can further establish a PT’s specialization in sports care is obtaining board certification.
Board certification in sports physical therapy is awarded through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) and leads to the Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy designation, commonly abbreviated as SCS.
While earning this credential is not a mandatory requirement for practicing sports physical therapy, earning it allows PTs to formally demonstrate advanced competency in the specialty.
To qualify for the sports specialty examination, candidates need to hold a current unrestricted physical therapist license and satisfy one of two experience pathways:
- Completing an accredited sports physical therapy residency
- Documenting 2,000 hours of direct patient care in sports physical therapy within the previous 10 years, including at least 500 hours completed during the previous three years
In addition to meeting one of these experience pathways, sports certification also carries several specialty-specific requirements. To satisfy these additional eligibility criteria, candidates need current qualifying CPR certification and must demonstrate knowledge of acute injury and illness management.
Once candidates meet the eligibility requirements, they can sit for the Sports Specialty Examination. Those who pass it will be awarded the SCS credential and gain the right to formally identify themselves as board-certified sports clinical specialists.
Job Outlook and Salary for Sports Physical Therapists
Having explored the entire process of becoming a sports physical therapist, we thought it would be a good idea to also take a look at the employment outlook associated with the profession.
Unfortunately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report salary figures for sports physical therapists specifically, so we’ll have to rely on the broader data available for physical therapists as a whole.
According to the BLS, physical therapists earn a median annual salary of $101,020, although their actual earnings can vary considerably depending on experience, location, employer, and work setting. The lowest 10% earn less than $74,420 per year, while the highest 10% earn more than $132,500.
The employment outlook for physical therapists is also positive. The BLS projects employment in the profession to grow by 11% between 2024 and 2034, which is considerably faster than the average for all occupations. During this period, around 13,200 openings for physical therapists are expected each year, on average, as demand grows and existing workers leave the occupation or retire.
While these figures apply to physical therapists generally rather than sports PTs specifically, they indicate a favorable broader labor market for professionals who choose to develop their careers in sports physical therapy. (BLS)
Final Words
Sports physical therapists play an important role in helping athletes recover from injuries, maintain their physical abilities, and return safely to the sports and activities they enjoy. Their expertise can make a meaningful difference not only during rehabilitation, but also in helping active individuals protect their long-term health and continue performing at their best.
Becoming a sports physical therapist is a demanding process that requires extensive education, clinical training, professional licensure, and, for those who want to specialize further, additional postprofessional preparation. However, for individuals who are passionate about sports and rehabilitation and are willing to commit to the process, it can lead to a rewarding career helping athletes overcome setbacks and return to doing what they love.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a sports physical therapist?
Becoming a sports physical therapist typically takes around seven to eight years from the start of undergraduate education, depending on whether you complete a sports physical therapy residency.
The standard pathway includes about four years for a bachelor’s degree and another three years for a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, including the required clinical education. After graduating, candidates must pass the NPTE and obtain their state license before beginning professional practice.
Those who choose to complete a sports physical therapy residency generally add about one more year of postprofessional training, while pursuing board certification through the clinical-experience pathway can extend the timeline further.
What is the best major for sports physical therapy?
There is no single best major for sports physical therapy, as DPT programs generally do not require applicants to complete a specific undergraduate degree. However, majors such as kinesiology, exercise science, biology, or other health- and science-related fields can provide useful preparation for later physical therapy education.
More important than the name of the major is whether the program allows students to complete the prerequisite coursework required by the DPT programs they plan to apply to. For this reason, aspiring sports PTs should compare prospective DPT admission requirements before choosing their undergraduate courses.
How do you become a physical therapist for an NFL team?
To become a physical therapist for an NFL team, you first need to qualify and become licensed as a physical therapist and then build substantial experience in sports physical therapy. Completing a sports residency and earning SCS board certification can further strengthen your qualifications.
From there, gaining experience with collegiate, professional, or other high-level athletes can help prepare you for the demands of an NFL environment. Building relationships within the sports medicine community can also be valuable, as NFL guidance emphasizes professional networking and mentorship when pursuing opportunities in elite sports medicine.