Physical Therapist Assistant Certification and Licensing Exam

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If you are trying to achieve a physical therapist assistant certification, you will realize that completing the program can be at a rapid pace and you can soon turn your dream into reality and this should surely give you some relief. However, you should know that after finishing your associate's degree, you still have to prepare for exams to determine if you are really prepared in working in this field and this can sometimes be nerve-wracking for some students.

Luckily, most physical therapist assistant schools that offer certification courses also offer prep courses for the state exam and this can help increase your chance in getting a license. To qualify for the licensure exam, you will be required to present your certification from the school that you completed your degree. However, you should know that this cannot be just any school, as it has to be accredited by the CAPTE or the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The program that you went through must be recognized by the state board or you will not be qualified for the licensure exam. But this should not scare you as you should have already done your research when opting for an accredited school before enrolling as a PTA student.

As mentioned above, after getting your physical therapist assistant certification, you will need to take an exam in order to obtain your license. For that, it is important that you are aware of the exam structure and how it looks like, as well as the requirements necessary to pass the exam. All accredited schools will provide you with a class(es) that will prepare you for the licensure exam, although this preparatory course is slightly different from the exam that you will actually take, it can still help you follow the guidelines and familiarize yourself on how the exam will go. You also have to know that although the license fee, as well as the rest of the administrative requirements, may vary from state to state, the core of the examination is the same for all US states. However, each state has a minimum requirement of competency for a physical therapist assistant to be licensed to practice.

After you have finished your associate's degree and once you have your physical therapist assistant certification, you now have to prepare yourself for the state licensing exam. The exam consists of approximately 200 questions and it may or may not be completely computer-based. The questions are given out in multiple choice formats and the score is on a scale of 200 and 800, where 600 are the passing score. The licensing exam will be administered yearly in all states and you will be given 4 hours to finish it. The topics that are usually covered in the licensing exam are intervention, standards of care, codes and ethics.

So while you are trying hard to get your physical therapist assistant certification, you also have to pay enough attention to the preparatory course for the licensing exam, as this will be your key to success. Take note that although some states allow assistants to work even without a license, having one is still an advantage, especially in this tough world in the medical field.

Carol is a physical therapist assistant and co-creator of this popular new web-site: Physical Therapist Assistant

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Certification for Fitness Instructors

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If you are considering a new career in the fitness industry you will need a recognised qualification to show your competency and ability. When first choosing your qualification it's important to know which area of the fitness industry you want to work in, and how you're going to achieve your goal.

A wide variety of fitness qualifications are available some of which are recognised worldwide, and some with limitations. It is always advisable to take the most comprehensive course you can, making sure it is also a recognised and reputable course. Be sure to order a prospectus or check online for the exact format of your training course, so you know what it does and does not cover. If you have a particular area of fitness training you wish to move into such as pre or post natal fitness or nutrition, make sure these units are part of the qualification.

If you are taking a general fitness course you can often add bolt on units to cover more specialised areas. These extra mini-courses can stand you in good stead when applying for jobs in your chosen line of work. By going the extra mile and learning more than is necessary to pass employers may see you as extra committed as well as the bonus of having an extra qualification. You can continue adding bolt on courses throughout your career, extending your knowledge and desirability to employers as you go. A multitude of these courses are available from exercise-to-music to Pilates, so you're bound to find a number of courses to interest you.

As a personal trainer you will provide 'exercise prescriptions' to your clients, advising and instructing them on the best way to achieve their fitness goals. Through regular measurement and feedback, along with a good working relationship you will educate and encourage your clients to a healthier lifestyle. Often your advice and help will extend beyond the basic physical training for which you were first employed, and into the realms of nutrition and general health.

Once you have qualified as a fitness instructor you have the opportunity to help your clients get healthy, make better life choices, and improve their confidence. Individuals seeking your services may be looking to improve their health levels, lose weight, increase flexibility, or may be combating a medical condition. You job is to determine the most effective types of exercise, frequency, and level of intensity to get the best effect for your client.

Once qualified you may choose to branch out on your own and become a self employed fitness instructor, working either from a studio or in your client's homes. You may wish to join an existing gym or health centre, or a hotel spa. Gaining a fitness qualification opens may doors and offers great flexibility and choice. A career in fitness instruction is a rewarding and sociable role. You can keep adding new courses to your CV throughout your career, extending your knowledge and job desirability whilst learning about areas of fitness that interest you.

Philip Loughran writes on a number of subjects from travel to law, automotive to education. For fitness instructor courses and fitness instructor qualifications he recommends Future Fit.

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