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DPT Observation Hours

What is Required?

A total of 40 hours, verified by a licensed PT or PTA, is required. We encourage you to gain experience across a range of settings. Observation experiences can be different depending on who you are shadowing — it can be helpful to shadow multiple PT’s, to get a strong understanding of the profession or the place where you are shadowing. Length of time with an individual PT may depend on their schedule. Each clinic, hospital and private practice will have specific policies and procedures for shadowing. Hours from paid positions, such as a PT aide, count. Some hospitals and clinics may offer virtual shadowing opportunities as an option.

Types of settings include:

  • Acute care hospital
  • Nursing home/skilled nursing facility/extended care facility
  • Other inpatient/specialty facility
  • Rehabilitation/sub-acute rehabilitation
  • Free-standing PT/hospital clinic or private practice clinic
  • Home health
  • Industrial/occupational health
  • Other outpatient/specialty facility
  • School/pre-school
  • Wellness/prevention/fitness/sports
  • Other settings: attended PT as a patient, or with a family member; HOSA PT event participant

How To Get Started

  • Complete the Introduction to Physical Therapy course (counts as 10 observation hours)
  • Ask friends, relatives or your personal health care provider for connections who work in your area of interest
  • Research physical therapy facilities online (search for ‘physical therapy’ in the geographic area of your choice)
  • Contact the facility’s PT department by email or phone (regardless of who you contact in the department, they should be familiar with shadowing requirements):
    • Introduce yourself and explain why you are reaching out (and who referred you, if applicable)
    • Explain your interest in the PT profession, and let them know you are seeking observation experience in preparation for applying to a DPT program
    • Ask if they are willing to set up a time for you to shadow
  • Early during the shadowing time, ask the PT or PTA if they are willing to verify your hours
  • Keep a signed record of your hours, in addition to the name and email address of the PT or PTA. This information will need to be scanned into your Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) application (or entered electronically, in which case PTCAS will then email the PT to verify that the information entered is correct) during the admissions cycle in which you are applying

Best Practices During Observation

  • Ask questions to engage with the PT during your time with them; this will help build a relationship (they could potentially be a letter writer for your admissions application)
  • Be professional and courteous; you are also building a shadowing network and professional connections
  • Dress professionally, but be aware you may be on your feet for long periods
  • Not all patients may be comfortable with you in the room; do not take it personally
  • Send thank you notes to the PTs or PTAs you shadow

Non-Verified Observation Hours

Experiences not verified by a licensed PT or PTA (e.g., non-direct patient care such as a phone interview, observation with another type of health professional, Special Olympics volunteer, etc.) do not count toward required PT observation hours but will be considered with your application. If a licensed PT or PTA is unable to accommodate an in-person observation, ask if they are willing to set up a time for an informational interview (20–30 minutes) to discuss their role.