Healthcare & Medical · Mid-Senior (4+ yrs)

Physical Therapist (DPT) Resume

This sample follows an outpatient orthopedic caseload from evaluation through discharge, with treatment choices tied to functional goals. A strong physical therapist resume connects clinical judgment, measurable patient progress, documentation, and current state licensure without overstating outcomes.

Resume check

What recruiters and tracking systems look for. A guide, not a prediction.

100 / 100Complete

100%
  • Contact20 / 20
  • Summary20 / 20
  • Experience30 / 30
  • Skills20 / 20
  • Education10 / 10

Contact details

Put these at the top; recruiters and tracking systems look for them first.

Optional. In the US, UK and Canada resumes usually have no photo.

47 words

One job per paragraph; start each achievement on a new line with “-”.

10 skills

Separate skills with commas, for example: Excel, SQL, project planning.

More sections

Projects, certifications, languages or anything else that supports your application.

Licenses & Certifications

Alex Morgan

Physical Therapist

  • alex.morgan@example.com
  • +1 555 0100
  • Denver, CO

Summary

Physical therapist with 6 years of outpatient orthopedic experience in a multi-provider clinic. Skilled in musculoskeletal evaluation, individualized exercise programming, and gait and mobility training, with progress documented through functional measures and goal attainment. Holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and an active Colorado license.

Experience

Physical Therapist II at Alpine Motion Rehab, Denver, CO (2023 – Present) - Evaluated and treated 10–12 orthopedic patients per day, using movement testing and shared goals to build individualized plans of care. - Revised plans of care at progress visits when patients plateaued or needed further evaluation, coordinating follow-up with referring providers. - Completed daily notes in the clinic EMR before end of shift for a 10–12-visit caseload. Physical Therapist at Front Range Mobility Clinic, Boulder, CO (2020 – 2023) - Managed outpatient orthopedic cases with manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and home programs, averaging 9 patient visits per day. - Reassessed range of motion and functional measures at plan-of-care milestones, sharing progress and updated recommendations with patients and referring providers.

Education

Doctor of Physical Therapy — High Plains University, Denver, CO (2019)

Skills

  • Musculoskeletal evaluation
  • orthopedic rehabilitation
  • manual therapy
  • therapeutic exercise
  • gait training
  • range of motion assessment
  • functional outcome measures
  • home exercise programs
  • EMR documentation
  • patient education

Licenses & Certifications

• Physical Therapist License, State Physical Therapy Board (Colorado) • BLS Provider, American Heart Association

How to write a Physical Therapist resume

Lead with your active license

Place your current state license near the top of the resume, with the exact state and credential name. Physical therapy practice is licensed by jurisdiction, so list additional active state licenses if you hold them. You can omit the license number from a public resume. Include the DPT in your education section and avoid presenting an optional specialty certification as a requirement for general practice.

Show the patient care setting

Name the setting and caseload clearly, such as outpatient orthopedics, acute care, home health, or pediatrics. Give a realistic patient volume only when it reflects your actual schedule, and describe the mix of evaluation, treatment, reassessment, and discharge work. Tie interventions to functional goals or measured change; avoid claims that imply you alone caused a patient's recovery.

Use meaningful outcome measures

Describe how you assessed function and used reassessment findings to adjust the plan of care. If you cite change in range of motion, a standardized measure, visits to discharge, or goal attainment, specify the measure or timeframe and use figures you can explain. Keep patient details de-identified, and leave out unsupported recovery rates or private health information.

Keep credentials and tools relevant

List CPR or BLS credentials only if current, and use their exact names and issuing organizations. Add board certification only if you have earned it; specialty certification is optional and does not replace state licensure. Mention the EMR or outcome measurement tools you have actually used when they match the posting. Leave out unrelated coursework and long lists of techniques without clinical context.

Common keywords

Skills and tools often listed for this role. Use only the ones you have, in the job advert's wording. Click one to copy it.

Action verbs

EvaluatedTreatedReassessedProgressedEducatedDocumentedCoordinated

Questions about this role

How long should a physical therapist resume be?

For a clinician with several years of experience, one or two pages is usually enough. Use two pages when needed to show relevant settings, clinical responsibilities, education, current licenses, and meaningful certifications. Early-career applicants can often fit clinical rotations and a first role on one page. Keep older or unrelated jobs brief so clinical experience is easy to find.

Should I include my PT license number?

You can list the license type and state, such as an active Colorado physical therapist license, without putting the license number on a public resume. Employers may verify licensure through the relevant state board or request the number during their process. Requirements and license titles vary by jurisdiction, so use the wording shown by your licensing authority.

Can I become a physical therapist through a PTA role?

Physical therapist assistants and physical therapists have distinct education and licensing requirements. PTA experience can provide relevant patient care context, but it does not by itself qualify someone to practice as a PT. In the U.S., PTs generally complete an accredited professional PT program, commonly a DPT program, pass the NPTE, and meet the licensing requirements of the state or jurisdiction where they plan to practice.

Which certifications should a physical therapist list?

List current, relevant credentials such as BLS or CPR training, using the exact credential name, issuer, and expiration date if useful. Add an ABPTS specialist certification only if it has been awarded and remains current under its renewal rules. Requirements vary by employer and setting; a certification should not be presented as a substitute for the state license required to practice.