A career as a physical therapist requires a significant amount of training. Educational programs geared towards physical therapy typically include courses such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, social science, mathematics, and physics. Many also offer more specialized courses including:

• Biomechanics
• Neuroanatomy
• Human growth and development
• Manifestations of disease
• Examination techniques
• Therapeutic procedures

Besides getting classroom and laboratory instruction, students also receive supervised clinical experience in which they engage with patients as a component of their learning process. After graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational program, one must pass a licensure exam which is required in every state.

In the United States there is a national licensing exam for Physical Therapy called the National Physical Therapy Examination, students are required to complete a degree program, usually for a Doctor of Physical Therapy, before taking the test.