The career prospects for physical therapist assistants (PTA) are quite promising in Maryland.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that employment for PTAs between 2019 and 2029 is expected to grow by 29 percent.
The demand for PTA services continues to grow as the elderly population continues to increase.
Therefore, qualified physical therapist assistants in Maryland have a wide range of job prospects in different healthcare settings including rehabilitation centers, hospitals, private practices, and nursing homes.
This guide explores the steps you can take to become a physical therapist assistant in Maryland.
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How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Maryland: Step by Step
All prospective physical therapist assistants in Maryland should meet the following requirements.
Apply for a Physical Therapy Degree
You need to complete a bachelor’s degree or associate’s PTA degree program from a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) to be able to practice as a PTA in Maryland.
Alternatively, you can also obtain a doctorate in the field of physical therapy from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, or the University of Maryland Baltimore.
Apply For a License
Once you complete your PTA program, the next step is to apply for a license to practice as a PTA in Maryland.
You should complete an application form and have it notarized by providing your passport-size photo not older than six months.
Send your transcripts directly to the BPHTE office from your school.
If you are yet to graduate, you should provide a letter of intent showing that you have completed your PTA program and intend to obtain a license.
Write the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
To get certification to practice as a PTA in Maryland, you should write an NPTE and pass it.
You must first get authorization from the BPHTE before sitting for the exam.
Make sure you pass the exam with excellent grades.
You must pay the $400 exam fee to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
When your application is approved, you will need to schedule the exam by choosing the Prometric testing location, which requires an additional $70.
The exam consists of 200 questions, and it takes about four hours to complete.
To pass the exam, you need to obtain a score of 600.
Prospective PTAs in Maryland are also expected to pass the jurisprudence exam, which involves Maryland State Regulations and Therapy Laws.
Once you pay your application fee, the BPHTE emails the open book exam to you as a PDF, and you should score more than 90%.
The board issues you a license number once you pass your Maryland jurisprudence and NPTE-PTA exams.
This process can take up to three weeks, so you need to be patient.
Wait for your license number before you begin practicing as a physical therapist assistant in Maryland.
Maintain Your License
Different things are involved when it comes to maintaining your license.
Be sure to renew your license after every two years.
The BPHTE will send a reminder when your license is due for renewal.
Late renewal of your license will attract a penalty.
Continuing your education is also recommended to improve your skills and certifications.
Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Maryland
There are eight CAPTE-accredited PTA schools in Maryland.
To be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Exam (NPTAE), you must first pass your PTA program from any one of the accredited institutions in Maryland.
Allegany College of Maryland
The degree program is completed in two years and tuition is determined by the institution.
It is important to check with the institution first to get more details about the payments required for one to complete their PTA program.
Baltimore City Community College
Candidates are expected to complete their studies in five semesters or two years.
The course covers classroom instruction, practical experience, and laboratory work.
The course costs an average of $7,816 per year meaning that you will need around $16,000 for two years.
Carroll Community College
You can contact the college for more details about the total cost.
Most public in-state schools cost around $7,816 per year or slightly above $15,000 per year.
You will need two years or five semesters to complete the program.
Cecil College
All PTA students should undergo training for two years or five semesters to acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
When you join this school, you should expect to pay an average of $7,800 per year or about $16,000 for two years.
Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education
The PTA program at this institution takes two years or five semesters to complete.
The costs of completing this program are subject to change, so you need to contact the institution before applying for more details.
Howard Community College
This program takes five semesters or two years to complete.
Both online and conventional students pay similar amounts of tuition.
The average cost per program is around $7,000 per year.
Montgomery College – Takoma Park Campus
This institution offers a two-year degree program which is also equivalent to five semesters.
Students should pay around $16,000 for tuition and other related expenses to complete the program.
Wor-Wic Community College
Like any other accredited PTA school in Maryland, you will need two years to complete this program.
Although community colleges are affordable, you need to contact the school to get accurate information about tuition and other related costs involved.
Top 8 Schools in Maryland
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Allegany College of Maryland | 12401 Willowbrook Rd, Cumberland, MD 21502, United States |
| Baltimore City Community College | 2901 Liberty Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215, United States |
| Carroll Community College | 1601 Washington Rd, Westminster, MD 21157, United States |
| Cecil College | 1 Seahawk Dr, North East, MD 21901, United States |
| Chesapeake Area Consortium for Higher Education | 1000 College Circle Wye Mills, MD 21679, United States |
| Howard Community College | 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044, United States |
| Montgomery College – Takoma Park Campus | 7600 Takoma Ave #4141, Takoma Park, MD 20912, United States |
| Wor-Wic Community College | 32000 Campus Dr, Salisbury, MD 21804, United States |
Salary for Physical Therapist Assistant in Maryland
A physical therapist assistant in Maryland earns an average salary of $67,401.
The salary range falls between $61,401 and $73,801 depending on factors like experience, education, additional skills, location, and certifications.
Maryland has several job opportunities for physical therapist assistants.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Physical Therapist Assistants in Maryland
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $65,401 |
| Frederick | $68,401 |
| Gaithersburg | $70,701 |
| Bowie | $70,701 |
| Rockville | $70,801 |
| Towson | $65,401 |
| Waldorf | $70,701 |
| Columbia | $65,301 |
| Dundalk | $65,401 |
| Ellicott City | $65,401 |
Regional Salary in Maryland
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 980 | $63,400 | $30.48 | $83,980 | $29,120 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 80 | $59,010 | $28.37 | $74,140 | $42,780 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 60 | $62,470 | $30.03 | $93,270 | $47,800 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | 130 | $63,750 | $30.65 | $81,830 | $39,560 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Bottom Line
Pursuing a career as a physical therapist assistant in Maryland comes with unlimited job prospects and a competitive salary.
To practice as a PTA, you need to obtain a license first, and you can do it by following the above-mentioned steps.
Once you obtain your license, you should maintain and renew it on time.
Continuing your education can go a long way in helping improve your skills.
With this career, you can make a difference in someone’s life and enjoy a competitive salary in Maryland.
PTA training is offered by accredited institutions in Maryland, and it takes two years to complete the degree program.
The program covers both classroom coursework and clinical practice to help students gain hands-on experience in the field of physical therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a license to practice as a PTA in Maryland?
First and foremost, you must complete a PTA program from an accredited institution in Maryland.
You also need to pass the NPTE-PTA and Maryland jurisprudence exams to qualify for a license.
It can take up to three weeks for your license number to be processed.
Where can you work as a PTA in Maryland?
Maryland has several job opportunities for physical therapist assistants in Maryland.
You can work in different healthcare settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, sports clinics, nursing homes, and others.
How long does it take to complete PTA training in Maryland?
PTA training is offered by accredited institutions in Maryland, and it takes two years to complete the degree program.
The program covers both classroom coursework and clinical practice to help students gain hands-on experience in the field of physical therapy.
