Nevada Physical Therapy Board

Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people improve movement, reduce pain, restore function, and maintain independence. Licensed physical therapists evaluate and treat individuals of all ages who are recovering from injury or surgery, managing chronic conditions, or experiencing problems with movement, balance, strength, or mobility.

Treatment is based on a thorough evaluation and is tailored to each patient’s condition and goals. A physical therapist may use therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, balance training, gait training, pain management techniques, patient education, and home exercise programs to support recovery and improve function.

A physical therapist, or PT, is a licensed healthcare professional who evaluates movement problems, identifies the cause of pain or functional limitations, and develops a plan of care. Physical therapists make clinical decisions, establish treatment goals, and adjust treatment based on a patient’s progress. 

Physical therapists complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited program and must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination before becoming licensed in Nevada.

A physical therapist assistant, or PTA, is a licensed healthcare professional who works as part of the physical therapy team. PTAs carry out treatment interventions planned by the physical therapist, assist patients with therapeutic exercise, monitor progress, and report changes to the supervising physical therapist.

In Nevada, PTAs practice under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. Physical therapist assistants complete an accredited PTA education program and must pass the examination required for licensure.

The physical therapist evaluates the patient, creates the plan of care, and makes clinical decisions. The physical therapist assistant helps carry out the treatment plan under supervision. Both PTs and PTAs are important members of the care team, but their roles are not the same.

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