If you’re thinking about starting a rewarding career in the medical field by offering assistance to New Mexico area physical therapists in a variety of clinical settings – this is the guide for you!
Our guide provides aspiring assistants with a comprehensive overview of what it takes to become a PTA in New Mexico with step-by-step guidance.
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How to Become a Physical Therapist Assistant in New Mexico – Step by Step
Get PTA Education
New Mexico PTAs are required to demonstrate a combination of hands-on clinical skills and knowledge of PT competencies gained through accredited education before becoming eligible to apply for a physical therapy assistant license in New Mexico.
Get Hands-On Clinical Experience
Accredited programs offer hands-on clinical experience combined with practical components that allow students to cement newly learned skills and publicly demonstrate key competencies while working under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Pass the National Exam
PT students who have completed the practical and clinical components of their training become eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam mandatory for New Mexico state licensure.
Submit an Application to the New Mexico Physical Therapy Board
The New Mexico Regulating and Licensing Department oversees licensing requirements, issues licenses, and maintains a database of active and expired occupational licenses for physical therapist assistants within the state.
Complete a Background Check
Aspiring physical therapist assistants need to note that the state and many clinical facilities that hire PTAs will require the successful completion of a mandatory background check before candidates are allowed to move forward in the licensing or hiring process.
Renew Your License
Licensed Physical Therapists Assistants who have completed all of the required steps must maintain their license according to national and state standards and enroll in required continuing education courses to keep their credentials.
Physical Therapist Assistant Schools in New Mexico
Carrington College – Albuquerque, NM
About the School
The Physical Therapist Assistant program offered by Carrington College prepares its students for success and working in a variety of residential and medical environments.
Their program teaches students the fundamental clinical and practical skills required to complete the National Physical Therapy Exam and become eligible to work as licensed therapists in the state.
Curriculum
- Anatomy
- Clinical Kinesiology
- Fundamentals of Physical Therapy Assisting
- Management of Neurologic Disorders
- Physical Therapy Data Collection and Documentation
Tuition and Fees: $18,964.00
Central New Mexico Community College 
About the School
CNM’s program teaches students the necessary skills, best practices, and techniques required to excel as a PTA.
Aspiring PTAs should note that their program is highly competitive and accepts fewer than twenty students each fall.
CNM requires prospective students to complete an entrance exam and a pre-registration screening to ensure eligibility for program participation.
Curriculum
- Basic Skills in Patient Care with Lab
- Clinical Experience
- English Composition I
- Human Anatomy and Physiology Medical Terminology
- Pre-PTA Anatomy Fundamentals
- The Profession of Physical Therapy
Tuition and Fees: $1,512.00 – $7,632.00 per year
Clovis Community College 
About the School
CCC’s four-semester program features a clinical component that immerses students in hands-on patient care and provides direct support for practicing physical therapists.
Clovis students learn physical therapy fundamentals, laboratory practices, clinical practices, and the latest techniques for providing high-quality care and clinical support for patients in medical settings and rehabilitation facilities across New Mexico.
Curriculum
- Basic Physical Therapy Procedures
- Developmental Psychology
- Exercise and Mobility
- Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Interpersonal Communication
- Medical Terminology for Physical Therapist Assistants
Tuition and Fees: $6,117.51-$13,310.90
Pima Medical Institute 
About the School
The Pima Medical Institute is one of the few accredited physical therapist assistant programs offering associate degree options in New Mexico.
Their comprehensive program takes most students around a year and a half to complete.
It prepares them to pass national exams and state licensing requirements and to work as entry-level physical therapists in a wide variety of medical settings across the state.
Curriculum
- Anatomy and Physiology I
- Communications for Health Professions
- Law and Ethics
- Math and Physics Applications
- Medical Terminology
Tuition and Fees: $22,139.00 – $36,899.00 per year
San Juan College
About the School
Students looking for a two-year associate’s degree program for physical therapist assistant training in New Mexico can find hybrid learning options that include online and in-person learning options at San Juan College.
This accredited PTA school teaches students how to provide adequate care and treatment services in support of licensed physical therapists.
Curriculum
- Applied Modalities
- Clinical I
- Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Patient Care Skills
Tuition and Fees: $6,579.00 – $12,680.00
Top 5 Schools in New Mexico
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Carrington College - Albuquerque, NM | 1001 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, United States |
| Central New Mexico Community College | 900 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, United States |
| Clovis Community College | 10309 N Willow Ave, Fresno, CA 93730, United States |
| Pima Medical Institute | 2121 N Craycroft Rd Building 1, Tucson, AZ 85712, United States |
| San Juan College | 4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402, United States |
Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in New Mexico
Online salary reports from trusted sources like Indeed show New Mexico PTAs earning an average of around $75,211.00 per year.
New therapy assistants should note that this number reflects an average.
There are also reports for NM PTAs earning between $54,405.00 and as much as $103,972.00 on the high end of the scale.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Physical Therapist Assistants in New Mexico
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $59,901 |
| Las Cruces | $54,101 |
| Santa Fe | $60,201 |
| Rio Rancho | $59,701 |
| Roswell | $55,801 |
| Farmington | $59,101 |
| Alamogordo | $56,801 |
| Clovis | $57,401 |
| Hobbs | $56,801 |
| Carlsbad | $55,801 |
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 320 | $54,280 | $26.1 | $74,080 | $36,860 |
| Farmington, NM | 40 | $52,710 | $25.34 | $77,350 | $39,000 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 110 | $50,920 | $24.48 | $74,080 | $28,480 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 40 | $56,930 | $27.37 | $77,730 | $38,550 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas of Specialization are available for New Mexico PTAs?
Many of the programs above offer additional training and education for specializations in acute care, neurological rehabilitation, wound care, and others.
Where Do Licensed Physical Therapists Work in NM?
Physical therapist assistants are eligible to work in clinical settings like hospitals, medical clinics, doctor’s offices, and rehabilitation facilities.
Licensed PTs can also provide residential support for home-bound patients.
How Long Will It Take Me to Become a Physical Therapist in New Mexico?
It will take most new students between two to three years to complete mandatory requirements to earn licensure and begin working as a physical therapist assistant in New Mexico.
