If you are interested in starting a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the state of Nevada, this is the article for you.
We will go over the general regulations and requirements for becoming a professional in this field, discuss some of the schools that offer PTA programs, go over the average salary of a Physical Therapist Assistant in this state, and answer some frequently asked questions.
On that note, let’s jump right in!
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How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Nevada
The first step to starting a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant in Nevada is to graduate with a degree in this field from an accredited institution, such as Pima Medical Institute or Carrington College.
Once you have graduated from a program and completed the mandatory hands-on clinical experience, your next step is to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and the Nevada Jurisprudence Exam.
The NPTE costs $370, and you must receive a score of 600 or higher to pass.
The Jurisprudence Exam, in comparison, consists of 25 questions regarding the state PTA rules and regulations; to pass, you must score 80% or higher.
After passing the necessary examinations, your next step will be acquiring your license.
According to occupationaltherapylicense.org, these are the steps you must take to acquire your license:
- Start by submitting your Licensure application.
- Next, send in your high school, college, and university transcripts.
- Request your fingerprinting information.
- Send in your reference letters.
- Pay the $225 licensing fee.
Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in Nevada
College of Southern Nevada
This limited-seating, entry-level AAS degree program has an 85% graduation rate and equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pass the examinations, acquire their license, and start a career as a PTA.
The curriculum combines in-class lectures with practical lab exercises and focuses on introducing students to all aspects of the job.
Additionally, as a student in this program, you will have the opportunity to work on group projects and benefit from practical training in clinical institutions.
Since this program is entry-level, the steps you must take to be admitted and enrolled can be different from other programs.
According to the school’s official website, applicants must:
- Complete student orientation
- Set a meeting with the advisor of the Health Programs
- Complete the mandatory limited-entry workshop
Upon graduating from the program, your next step is to take the examinations, which, once passed, equip you for the next step – applying for your license!
Pima Medical Institute
The school’s PTA Associate Degree is roughly 18 months long and focuses on equipping students with theoretical knowledge and the hands-on skills to succeed in the field.
The curriculum is divided into five semesters and consists of courses such as:
Sem 1: – Medical Terminology
– Introduction to Physical Therapy
– Law & Ethics
Sem 2: – PTA Techniques
– Growth & Development
Sem 3: – Kinesiology
– Rehabilitation 1
Sem 4: – Rehabilitation 2
– Therapeutic Exercise 2
Sem 5: – Administrative Procedures
– PTA Seminar
To finish the program, you must complete 1586 hours.
Upon graduation, you will receive an Associate degree and will become eligible to take the NPTE, which will bring you one step closer to getting your license and becoming a PTA in the state of Nevada!
Carrington College
The third institution on our list offers a program that can be finished in 19 months and can be taken at two campuses – Las Vegas and Pleasant Hill.
According to the college’s official website, since there is only a limited number of seats available, there are three criteria based on which you will be admitted into the program:
- Entrance exam score
- Relevant volunteering or work experience
- Degrees previously earned
The curriculum consists of general and technical courses, which span over 80 weeks.
A few examples are:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology 1
- Clinical Kinesiology
- Fundamentals of Physical Therapist Assisting
- Pathophysiology for the PTA
To complete the program, you must complete 720 lecture hours, 300 lab hours, 700 clinical hours, and 73 semester credit hours.
Top 3 Schools in Nevada
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| College of Southern Nevada | 700 College Dr, Henderson, NV 89002, United States |
| Pima Medical Institute | 2121 N Craycroft Rd Building 1, Tucson, AZ 85712, United States |
| Carrington College | 8909 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95826, United States |
Salary
A Physical Therapist Assistant in the United States can earn between $57,501 and $70,201 based on various factors like geographic location, employer, experience, etc.
The average annual salary for a PTA in the United States is $63,701.
In comparison, if you wish to profess in the state of Nevada, you may be pleased to know that the median salary in this state is slightly higher than the national average, with roughly 50% of PTAs earning $64,701 per year.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Physical Therapist Assistants in Nevada
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $64,701 |
| Reno | $64,301 |
| Henderson | $64,501 |
| North Las Vegas | $64,701 |
| Sparks | $64,301 |
| Carson City | $64,201 |
| Elko | $54,301 |
| Boulder City | $63,801 |
| Mesquite | $63,801 |
| Fallon | $63,301 |
Regional Salary in Nevada
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV | 450 | $70,730 | $34.01 | $89,320 | $25,050 |
| Reno, NV | 100 | $55,730 | $26.79 | $85,850 | $21,780 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from the NPTE?
For starters, you can expect the test to last several hours, as it’s 250 questions long.
The test is multiple-choice, and there are various practice tests you can take in preparation for the real deal.
The exam fee is $485.
However, you’ll want to check for any additional fees.
What can I expect from the Jurisprudence Exam?
The test is open-book and focuses on the state laws, rules, and regulations that every PTA must know.
There is no time limit, and, to pass, you must score at least 80/100.
Is a Physical Therapist Assistant the same as a Physical Therapist Aide?
No, and here is why.
For starters, the former group provides some form of treatment, whereas the latter does not.
The work of a Physical Therapy Aide has more to do with equipment cleaning, room preparation, and general patient instruction.
Additionally, the educational requirements for becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant are more rigorous since PTAs directly assist the Physical Therapist in working with patients.
Therefore, whereas one must pass the requirements mentioned above to become a PTA, many places require only a high school diploma to become an Aide.
