How to Get Your PTA License in Arkansas (2026)

How to Become a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in Arkansas

Physical Therapist Assistants in Arkansas work under the supervision of licensed Physical Therapists to provide hands-on rehabilitative care including therapeutic exercise, modality application, manual therapy assistance, and documentation. Arkansas faces pronounced healthcare workforce shortages in its rural counties, where PTAs play a critical role bridging the gap between acute care and community health. Major health systems in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith provide urban employment anchors, while rural hospitals, critical access facilities, and home health agencies create strong demand statewide.

Step 1: Complete a CAPTE-Accredited PTA Program

Arkansas licensure requires a degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Standard CAPTE PTA programs award an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Physical Therapist Assisting in approximately two years. The curriculum integrates foundational science courses with PT-specific instruction in kinesiology, therapeutic modalities, neurological rehabilitation, and clinical documentation. All programs include at least 16 weeks of supervised clinical rotations across diverse practice settings.

Arkansas offers several CAPTE-accredited PTA programs at community colleges, including Arkansas State University–Beebe and South Arkansas Community College. Check capte.org for the current accreditation list before enrolling.

Step 2: Pass the NPTE-PTA Exam

Candidates must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination for Physical Therapist Assistants (NPTE-PTA) before Arkansas will issue a license. The exam is a 200-question computer adaptive test administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) at Prometric centers, lasting four hours. A passing score of 600 or higher on the 200–800 scale is required. The combined exam fee from FSBPT and Prometric is approximately $485. With a six-attempt lifetime limit, careful preparation using Scorebuilders, TherapyEd, or FSBPT's own practice exams is strongly recommended.

Step 3: Apply for Your Arkansas PTA License

The Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy is the licensing authority for PTAs practicing in the state. After passing the NPTE-PTA, complete the Board's application form and submit it with a fee of approximately $50–$75. Supporting documentation includes official NPTE-PTA score verification from FSBPT, a transcript verifying graduation from your CAPTE-accredited program, and results of a criminal background check. Arkansas does not require a state-specific jurisprudence exam for PTAs, though applicants acknowledge familiarity with Arkansas physical therapy statutes on the application. Processing typically takes two to four weeks once the Board receives all required documents.

PT Compact Membership

Arkansas is a member of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. PTAs holding an active Arkansas license in good standing can apply for practice privileges in other PT Compact member states, enabling multi-state practice without redundant licensure applications. This is particularly advantageous for Arkansas PTAs who serve border communities near Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas — several of which are also compact members — or who pursue travel PTA contracts across the region.

Continuing Education Requirements

Arkansas PTA licenses are renewed every two years. Licensees must complete 20 continuing education hours per renewal cycle. The Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy does not prescribe mandatory CE topic areas for PTAs beyond general relevance to physical therapy practice. Acceptable CE delivery formats include live courses, online modules, and professional conferences. Retain CE certificates and documentation for at least three years in case of Board audit.

Arkansas PTA Salary Ranges

Arkansas PTAs typically earn between $46,000 and $65,000 annually. Little Rock offers the most competitive salaries, while rural markets often offset lower base pay with sign-on bonuses, relocation assistance, and loan repayment programs targeting healthcare workforce shortages. Outpatient orthopedics, SNF, and home health are the dominant settings. Travel PTA contracts in Arkansas's rural and underserved communities — particularly in the Delta region and Ozark highlands — typically pay $36–$52 per hour with housing stipends, making them attractive for PTAs comfortable with rural practice.

Top Employers for PTAs in Arkansas

UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) and its affiliated outpatient rehabilitation network in Little Rock are major PTA employers. Baptist Health, with campuses across central and northeastern Arkansas, hires PTAs in both inpatient and outpatient settings. CHI St. Vincent Health operates hospitals and outpatient clinics throughout the state and regularly recruits PTAs. Washington Regional Medical Center serves the Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers corridor in northwest Arkansas. Nationally, Select Medical and NovaCare Rehabilitation operate outpatient PT clinics in Arkansas's larger markets. SNF employers including Kindred Healthcare and Golden Living hire PTAs at skilled nursing facilities statewide. Home health agencies such as Amedisys, LHC Group, and Arkansas Children's Hospital Home Health provide additional employment options, especially for PTAs interested in community-based care.