Frequently Asked Questions

Physical therapist assistants are educated and licensed clinicians who provide care under the direction and supervision of a PT licensed physical therapist. More information about the role of a physical therapist assistant can be found on the website for the American Physical Therapy Association.

This YouTube playlist also features a variety of videos related to physical therapy practice. While not all of the clinicians shown are Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs), the videos highlight the wide range of tasks, settings, and skills involved in delivering physical therapy services. This collection is designed to help prospective PTA students gain a broader understanding of the profession, observe real-world clinical activities, and explore the many roles that support patient movement, recovery, and functional independence.

The following are the prerequisites for Fall 2026 consideration:

Completed by the end of Spring 2026:

• SDV 101 (Orientation to Health Professions – 2 credits)
• BIO 141 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I – 4 credits with lab)

Completed by the end of Summer 2026:

• BIO 142 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II – 4 credits with lab)

The college level GPA must be 2.75 or higher. This will be calculated based on the at least 12 credit hours of college credit or your high school GPA if you do not have 12 college credits. Each prerequisite course must be completed with a C or higher.

Additionally, the TEAS test must be passed with a minimum composite/total of 60%.

Approximately twenty four (24) students will be admitted yearly to the Physical Therapist Assistant class.

The criteria that will be evaluated include:

• your academic record and GPA,
• your TEAS scores, all sections (minimum of 60% required on the total score),
• a written essay component,
• an interview.

Admission decisions are made based on a scoring rubric that takes into account your GPA, TEAS scores, and performance in an interview and essay. If two students have the same final admissions score, the student with the higher score of GPA points from the rubric plus total TEAS points from the rubric will be ranked higher. If two students have the same rubric TEAS plus GPA total rubric points, the student with the higher college GPA will be ranked higher.

There is not a waiting list. All applicants who meet the deadline who are minimally qualified and complete the application process will be considered for the program each year. 

The core PTA courses must be taken in sequence as outlined in the college catalog (including a summer semester). The core program coursework is only offered during the day. The program is considered a full-time day-time program and clinical experiences may also occur during holidays.

The curriculum is designed to prepare selected students to become part of a skilled allied health care team that will provide physical therapy services under the direction of a licensed Physical Therapist. Students are prepared as generalists, allowing them to enter a variety of clinical settings following graduation and licensure. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to the take the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination. A passing score on the examination is required to obtain a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant (PTA). Licensure is required in all 50 states to practice as a PTA.

To assist students in preparation for successfully completing their clinical rotations and their licensing examination, the program uses a seven-point grading scale, and all courses must be passed with a grade of C or above to ensure continued enrollment. Students must demonstrate a mastery of both academic and hands-on course material in order to progress through the program. Continuance in the program is based upon academic criteria and adherence to attendance and other program policies covered at orientation. Satisfactory progress and graduation is necessary for eligibility to take licensure examinations.

We accept permanent residents, asylee, refugees and most visa types. However, we do not accept students on F1 or M1 visas as those visas are affiliated with a particular school. Students on F1 or M1 visas are not allowed to pursue a degree or certificate program with Virginia Western. Students on B1 and B2 visas are also not allowed to enroll at Virginia Western.

Yes. Please refer to the Estimated Cost page for more detailed information.

The Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant CSC allows applicants who may not be accepted into the AAS program to academically prepare to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exam, if the EMS 111/120 course sequence is completed.  Also, if you already have a healthcare licensure/certification (such as CCMA, CNA, Phlebotomist, etc,) if you submit a copy of your current license to the HPAAO, we can complete paperwork on your behalf to determine if  Credit for Prior Learning can be awarded for one of the options under the job skill portion of the Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant CSC.

The Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant CSC consists of specific coursework that is designed to allow applicants to the Physical Therapist Assistant program to complete some of the courses required within the AAS and to also offer a job skill option to applicants in case of non-admittance to the program. Not all prerequisite and support classes are included in the CSC. HLT 141 is not offered in the CSC and you are asked to take either PSY 230 OR PHI 220.

If you are using financial aid to cover the cost of classes, financial aid will only cover the cost of either PSY 230 OR PHI 220, not both, if you are eligible for financial aid.

If you wish to complete these courses prior to entry, you need to pay for those courses out of pocket.  If you are accepted into the AAS Physical Therapist Assistant program, financial aid will then cover those courses. The plan change for accepted students from the CSC to the AAS typically occurs in late May or early June and will not be effective until the fall term.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Virginia Western Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 540-857-6728 or email jtucker@virginiawestern.edu.

Applicants for admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program are considered for class positions based on their ability to meet the program admission standards, without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or other non-merit factors.

Applicants can complete the GED and submit official scores of the GED to the HPAAO. Applicants can also submit their transcripts to one of the organizations who are members of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) and have the official report that verifies completion of United States High School education equivalency sent to the HPAAO. Either the copy of the GED scores or the official report from a NACES organization member must arrive by the application deadline of February 15 to be considered for the fall program. Here is a link to the current members of the NACES.

If you are interested in taking classes to prepare for future entry into the program but you are unsure when you will be eligible, please submit the 2026 Physical Therapist Assistant application with the appropriate transcripts. This will allow us to help you plan and suggest proper courses to begin your studies. The advisor will also evaluate your transcripts for transfer credit and can discuss your placement results.

We have a team of advisors for Health Professions:

• New students should begin with a New Student Advisor in the Enrollment Center.
• Rhonda Perdue is the Health Professions program advisor and provides advising about applying and preparing for health professions programs for continuing Virginia Western Students. Rhonda can assist with career planning and course selection and may be able to assist with preliminary information. You can schedule an appointment with Rhonda Perdue via Navigate.
• Pam Woody or Jasmine Terry will process your academic file and evaluate previously completed coursework after a review of your official transcripts. They will also send the process letter verifying your GPA, prerequisites, and the evaluation of your college course work. 

Submission of all academic materials including application and official transcripts from High School and all colleges attempted should be directed to: Attention: Pam Woody; VWCC; School of Health Professions; 3091 Colonial Avenue, SW; Roanoke VA 24015.

You may also contact the team of advisors at healthprofessions@virginiawestern.edu.

TEAS is the Test of Essential Academic Skills for Allied Health. The TEAS measures basic essential skills in the academic content areas of reading, mathematics, science and English and language usage. We are interested in all scores of the TEAS with the minimum total score of 60 to receive consideration for admission.

TEAS testing is usually conducted mid-March. All qualified early applicants should receive additional details by early March regarding TEAS testing dates. Only qualified applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be tested during this time period. All communication regarding the TEAS will be sent in Navigate and you should turn on your notifications in Navigate.

TEAS Prep Guide (PDF)

Admission decisions are made by a Physical Therapist Assistant Admissions Committee. Admission decisions are emailed by student email to the applicants as soon as possible following the spring semester, usually by late May. Please note that spring grades need to be posted to determine the prerequisite average prior to the Physical Therapist Assistant Admissions Committee meeting.

Lab courses require a high level of touch. We simulate physical therapy treatments and procedures while in class. We will practice and model principles of therapeutic touch, informed consent, and respectful behavior. Everyone is responsible for communicating questions or concerns about communication style, amount of touch required, given, or received during class from students and instructors. Students who have questions about their ability to practice and complete treatment simulations with fellow students or instructors have the responsibility to direct their concerns to instructors or Program Director at an appropriate time and location. In addition, touch of others will be required in fieldwork settings.

Virginia Western Community College faculty and students must comply with the policies required by clinical facilities with which we have legal agreements. If a student refuses to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement, Virginia Western Community College will attempt, but cannot guarantee, to assign a student to an alternative clinical facility. A student will be placed in an alternative location only if it meets the educational objectives of Virginia Western Community College and program requirements for clinical placement. Faculty also must be available to appropriately supervise students at the clinical facility. Refusal to comply with a clinical facility immunization and vaccination requirement by a student in our health programs may impede your progress in the program or your ability to remain in the program.

It is the student’s responsibility to clear their urine drug screen. Marijuana may be legalized under state law for medical use with an MMJ card, but medical marijuana use is prohibited at all clinical sites. The presence of marijuana metabolites in urine will result in a positive drug screen finding that prevents a student from obtaining clinical placement and results in removal from the program. There are no exceptions to this rule as healthcare facilities have the right to ban the use of these drugs by hospital employees or clinical students.

Yes! In all 50 states, PTAs are now required to pass a licensing exam and meet additional state requirements in order to obtain a license to work as a PTA. Prospective students should be aware that in Virginia and many other states, completing a fingerprint and background check may be part of the licensing process. If students have any concerns regarding possible findings on these reports, they may contact the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy or the State Agency in which the prospective student plans to work.

In order to be licensed in the state of Virginia, applicants for licensure must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be a graduate of a two-year college-level education program for physical therapist assistants acceptable to the Board
• Satisfactorily passed an examination approved by the Board (the NPTE)
• Meet the requirements of a background check and fingerprint screening