Occupational therapist vs physical therapist
BLS says all states require both occupational therapists and physical therapists to be licensed. The official paths differ: occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree from an ACOTE-accredited program and take the NBCOT OTR exam; physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and take the NPTE.
Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
| Official fact | Occupational therapist (OT) | Physical therapist (PT) |
|---|---|---|
| What BLS says they do | “Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence.” | “Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.” |
| Typical entry-level education (BLS Quick Facts) | Master’s degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| How to become (BLS) | “To enter the occupation, occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy.” | “Physical therapists entering the occupation need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.” |
| Program accreditor | ACOTE (OT Masters and OT Doctorate in its U.S. directory) | CAPTE (accredited PT programs) |
| National exam | NBCOT OTR certification exam (NBCOT exam) | NPTE for physical therapists, administered by FSBPT (NPTE) |
| Licensure (BLS) | “All states require occupational therapists to be licensed.” | “All states require physical therapists to be licensed.” |
| 2025 median pay (BLS) | $100,330 per year | $102,760 per year |
| Number of jobs, 2025 (BLS) | 169,600 | 283,700 |
| Job outlook, 2025–35 (BLS) | 15% (Much faster than average) | 12% (Much faster than average) |
| Work environment summary (BLS) | “Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics.” | “Physical therapists typically work in private offices and clinics, hospitals, patients’ homes, and nursing homes.” |
Pay, job, and outlook figures are from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook pages for occupational therapists and physical therapists, checked November 10, 2026. They are national estimates. On that date, the occupational therapists page showed “Last modified date: August 27, 2026”, and the physical therapists page showed “Last modified date: October 29, 2026”.
How BLS describes each job
On its occupational therapists page, BLS states: “They help clients meet goals to develop, recover, improve, and maintain skills needed for daily living and working.” It also states: “Some occupational therapists, such as those employed in hospitals, work as part of a healthcare team along with doctors, registered nurses, and other types of therapists, including physical therapists.”
On its physical therapists page, BLS states: “They are often an important part of preventive care, rehabilitation, and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.” It also states: “Physical therapists work as part of a healthcare team, overseeing the work of physical therapist assistants and aides and consulting with physicians and surgeons and other specialists.”
APTA’s careers in physical therapy page states: “Physical therapists are licensed doctors who examine, diagnose, and treat movement dysfunction.” NBCOT’s What is an OTR or COTA professional? page states that OTR and COTA professionals are also state-licensed professionals.
Certification is not licensure
NBCOT’s Get Certified page states: “Certification is not the same as licensure.” FSBPT’s NPTE page states: “Taking the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is an important step toward receiving your physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA) license.” In both professions, the license comes from the jurisdiction board.
What this page does not do
It does not say which profession treats which conditions or tasks. Scope of practice is defined by each jurisdiction’s practice act, not by this site. For the full official steps, read how to become an OT and how to become a PT.