Top PTA Schools in California for 2024

Last updated: December 12th, 2023

To become a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) in California (CA), you must graduate from an accredited PTA program, pass both the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and a state-level exam, and obtain a license to work there.

California has 23 accredited PTA schools for 2024. Get started today by reaching out to your preferred schools to receive information on course curriculum, admissions requirements, tuition etc.

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Accredited Physical Therapy Assistant Schools in California

InstitutionCityAccredited Until
American Career CollegeAnaheim6/30/2031
American Career CollegeOntario6/30/2031
California Baptist UniversityRiverside12/31/2025
Carrington CollegePleasant Hill12/31/2027
Casa Loma CollegeSherman Oaks12/31/2031
Cerritos CollegeNorwalk12/31/2027
College of the SequoiasVisalia12/31/2027
Community Based Education and Development dba CBD CollegeLos Angeles6/30/2031
Concorde Career CollegeGarden Grove12/31/2028
Concorde Career CollegeNorth Hollywood12/31/2026
Concorde Career CollegeSan Diego12/31/2028
Gurnick Academy of Medical ArtsSan Mateo6/30/2030
Institute of TechnologyClovis12/31/2024
Institute of TechnologyRedding6/30/2026
Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda6/30/2032
Mendocino CollegeUkiah12/31/2026
Ohlone CollegeNewark6/30/2027
Pima Medical InstituteSan Marcos12/31/2026
Sacramento City CollegeSacramento6/30/2031
San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego6/30/2028
Shasta CollegeRedding12/31/2027
Stanbridge UniversityIrvine12/31/2029
Stanbridge UniversityAlhambra12/31/2029

Accreditation is granted to entry-level physical therapy and physical therapy assistant schools by the Commission on Accreditation on Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in recognition of the quality of education the program delivers.

There are currently 23 fully accredited PTA schools throughout California offering an Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science Degree.

You can also browse the map below to view all schools offering physical therapy assistant programs in California and neighboring areas.

California PTA Certification and License Requirements

Once you have graduated from an accredited school in California, you will need to obtain a license to work as a physical therapist assistant there. To obtain your license it is a requirement that you have successfully passed additional certification exams.

Certification

California is one of 27 States in which it is a requirement to undertake both a State jursiprudence exam as well as the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

The purpose of the state exam is to ensure that the candidate has a thorough understanding of the local laws and regulations under which they are allowed to work.

The purpose of the NPTE exams is to ensure a minimum standard of knowledge and competence after graduation and before entering into the workplace. The NPTE exams are developed and administered by the US Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Licensing

Once you have graduated from an accredited program, it is required by California law that you obtain a license to work as a PTA in the State.

The Physical Therapy Board of California regulates the licensing of PTA's in California. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:

Address: 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1350, Sacramento, CA 95815
Email: pt@dca.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 561-8200
Website: http://www.ptbc.ca.gov/


Search Physical Therapy Aide Programs

Get information on Physical Therapy Aide programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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