Physical Therapist Resume Sample

Physical Therapist Resume Template

Average physical therapist salaries in the US

The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license, this data is pulled from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment & Earnings report (as of 10/16/2024), featuring the top states by use.

How to become a physical therapist

Unsure what’s required to become a physical therapist in the US? Check out this video by Tim Fraticelli where he explains the process step-by-step:

How to write a physical therapy resume

As a physical therapist, you’re used to helping others recover from setbacks. But when it comes to writing a resume, are you feeling a bit stuck?

Not to worry — here are three tips for making a strong resume that shows employers you’re the best candidate for their team.

1. Highlight your physical therapy skills

Physical therapists require a wide range of skills to work in many different healthcare settings — from an intimate understanding of anatomy and physiology to familiarity with rehabilitation equipment and pain management techniques.

With technical skills being a crucial part of the work you do as a physical therapist, It’s important to draw a hiring manager’s eye to what makes you a great fit for the job by clearly listing your skills on your resume.

Feature your skills section prominently on your resume by placing it near the top or including it in a sidebar (like in the sample above). If you’re not sure where you want your skills section to be, looking at some resume templates can be a great source of inspiration.

The best resume templates for 2024

One of the best ways to make your resume is by filling out one of our free resume templates. All our templates are designed by experts and free to download for Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

View Resume Templates

Here’s what a skills section on a physical therapy resume might look like:

2. Open with a strong resume summary

A well-written resume summary helps catch the attention of employers by summarizing your experience and highlighting your most impressive achievements. It’s a great way to show what kind of physical therapist you are and what you can bring to the position.

Your summary should showcase your PT expertise in a quick and compelling way. State how many years of experience you have, list your most impressive skills and achievements, and round it out with your immediate goal if hired.

Let’s take a look at an effective physical therapy resume summary:

This summary works well because it directly emphasizes the candidate’s overall experience and areas of expertise in the first sentence. Most physical therapists have worked in various healthcare settings, and listing them first gives employers insight into your background and the scope of your experience before reading through your job history.

By clearly stating what they’ve accomplished in the second sentence, this candidate shows employers that they can be counted on to produce results, with numbers to back it up.

3. List your physical therapy license and certifications

In addition to your physical therapist skills and experience, your license and certifications speak volumes about your expertise and dedication to your field — not to mention they’re required for a physical therapist position.

Whether you’re just starting out in your physical therapy career and have your state license, or you have years of specialized experience and certifications, these credentials should be a key focus on your resume.

Make sure to list your certifications and license somewhere hiring managers will easily be able to see them. You can create a dedicated “Licenses and Certifications” section on your resume, Including the full name of each credential, the issuing organization, and the date of certification.

Here’s an example:

Here’s a list of common licenses and certifications to include on your physical therapist resume:

• State Physical Therapy License (e.g., California Physical Therapy License, New York Physical Therapy License)
• National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Certification
• Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
• Board-Certified Neurological Clinical Specialist (NCS)
• Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS)
• Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS)
• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
• Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT)
• Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP)
• Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
• Certified Sports Performance Coach (CSPC)
• Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist (CEAS)
• NPCP Certified Pilates Teacher
• Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT)
• Certified Functional Movement Screen Specialist (FMS)
• Certified McKenzie Method Practitioner (MDT)
• Certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling (CMTPT)
• Certified Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist (ATRIC)
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
• Certified in Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), such as Graston Technique (GTS)