Physical Therapists’ Credentials

So you want to find the most qualified physical therapist to help you back to full recovery, but you’re not sure what the letters after a PTs name mean? What does dpt stand for? Or better yet, what does dpt stand for in physical therapy? Continue to read this blog for some answers to these questions and more.  (search volume: 390), what does dpt stand for in medical terms

Let’s begin with education and titles

Every physical therapist has PT behind their name. More recent graduates of physical therapy programs will most likely have both PT and DPT behind their names. What does DPT stand for? DPT stands for Doctor of Physical Therapy, which is the credential earned after completing a DPT degree. If you’re wondering, what does DPT stand for in physical therapy? it signifies that the individual has completed advanced education and training in patient care, movement science, and rehabilitation. Similarly, what does DPT stand for in medical terms? It refers to the same Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, which is now the required entry-level degree for physical therapists. You might also see “PT, MPT,” indicating a Master’s degree in physical therapy instead of a doctorate, which often means the therapist has more years of experience in the field.

Specialty qualifications.

Some physical therapists have additional qualifications that can be something to look out for if you have a specific need as a patient. For example, the OCS stands for Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. This is one of 9 specifications granted by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) indicating that the therapist has undergone an extra examination to ensure they have knowledge and understanding of current evidence and research regarding patient treatment for orthopedic conditions. Orthopedics is the medical specialty concerned with the correction of deformities or functional impairments of the musculoskeletal system. Other specialties include geriatric (elderly), women’s health, pediatrics, sports, etc.

Therapists who don’t have any letters behind their name besides PT, DPT, or MPT

Physical therapists in most states are required to undergo a minimum amount of hours of extra training (continuing education units). Your physical therapist likely has quite a bit of extra training, because not all courses mean you will have extra letters after your name when you complete them. If you’re looking for a PT with a particular set of skills, don’t hesitate to ask.

Other common credentials you may find behind a physical therapist’s name

We’d love to answer that, but even PTs themselves can’t keep up with how many there are now! You may find letters designating them as vestibular specialists, manual therapy specialists, or specialists in certain forms of treatment such as for back pain or Parkinson’s disease. The great part is that all of them are easy to look up on the internet in order to find out more information about what extra skills or training your PT might have.

If you are looking for a physical therapist to treat you for a specific need, don’t hesitate to call Carolina Physical Therapy and ask our team! If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, click here to request an appointment!