APTA 2024: Driving Impact, Advancing Physical Therapy

APTA's more than 100,000 members helped us make incredible progress in 2024.

Together, we celebrated historic victories for the profession while enhancing your membership benefits and discounts.

APTA Is Fighting for You to Create Positive Change

	In 2024, the APTA community sent more than 50,000 letters to legislators and regulatory agencies through APTA's advocacy channels which drove multiple wins, including reforming two of APTA's five long-term Medicare policy principles through the 2025 physician fee schedule.

	Thanks to APTA's advocacy, simply submitting a plan of care to the patient's referring physician within 30 days of the initial evaluation now satisfies Medicare's plan of care requirement; the change provides greater deference to the PT's clinical judgment and eliminates the need to secure a physician signature for initial certification, meaning PTs can begin treatment with certainty that they will receive payment for their medically necessary services.

	APTA also successfully advocated to change the outdated direct supervision requirement for PTAs to general supervision under Medicare Part B. The change, which will improve access for millions of Medicare beneficiaries, recognizes PTAs' value and offers significant relief in the therapy workforce — particularly for practices in rural or underserved areas, where staffing flexibility is imperative.

	After years of dedicated advocacy, APTA chapters reached a landmark achievement in 2024 with the removal of severe restrictions on direct access to physical therapist services in all states — with Mississippi and Alabama being the final two states to pass legislation that eliminated onerous restrictions to treatment provided via direct access. Check out our member-exclusive map.

	APTA chapters achieved dozens of additional legislative wins, addressing use of prior authorization, expanding the scope of practice to permit PTs to order imaging and durable medical equipment, and expanding the PT Compact, which allows for easier practice across state lines.

	During APTA's Capitol Hill Day, 230 APTA members received advocacy training and then applied what they learned during visits with members of Congress to advocate for key bills that directly impacted the physical therapy profession and patients.

APTA Provides the Resources You Need to Thrive

	APTA members get benefits and discounts providing savings up to $1,300 on everything from Saucony and New Balance to Dell, Avis, Budget, UPS, Office Depot/Office Max, and Active&Fit.

	APTA members are eligible for a 10% discount on their premiums, plus a waiver of the $7 purchasing group fee, for total savings up to 29%.

	More than 2 million new EBSCO and ProQuest literature database articles were available via APTA Article Search and the Rehabilitation Reference Center in 2024, helping members with their clinical practice and management.

	The Rehabilitation Reference Center on APTA's website offers immediate access to high-quality, evidence-based medical information, enabling APTA member clinicians to make quick, informed decisions during patient care.

	APTA's Digital Health Formulary includes 150 apps that have met rigorous standards, saving members time and empowering their practices.

	APTA members get access to essential evidence-based resources, including four new CPGs supported by APTA in 2024.

	APTA members get access to hundreds of free courses plus 40% off certificates and hundreds of additional courses through the APTA Learning Center.

	PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, APTA's scientific journal, engages and inspires an international readership to help improve patient care. Plus, APTA has published 10 new PTJ podcast episodes in 2024 to share the story behind the research, including insights on clinical application, study design, and future projects.

APTA Is Your Connection to Community

	More than 15,000 people gather to connect, learn, and be inspired at the largest physical therapy event of the year — APTA Combined Sections Meeting — featuring more than 400 sessions from APTA's 18 academies and sections.

	Through the APTA Career Center, members have access to thousands of job postings a year, along with tools, resources, and advice for every step of their career.

	Your go-to hub for professional growth and collaboration just got better. The new APTA Community offers an enhanced user experience and open forums where you can connect with peers, share insights, and engage in topics that matter most to you.

	APTA's recruitment program to help grow and diversify the profession continues to expand. 88% of APTA chapters, 44% of DPT programs, and 11% of PTA programs have named ambassadors who are promoting the profession, application process, and career opportunities.

	APTA Engage helps members share their talents and build their networks through high-impact and low-lift volunteer opportunities.

	PTA members can gain advanced proficiency in their choice of eight concentration areas along with mentorship to strengthen the PT-PTA relationship through APTA's PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways program.

APTA Is at the Forefront of the Profession

	APTA reviewed an independent report by the Peterson Health Technology Institute, finding many virtual MSK solutions, guided by PTs, offer clinical benefits comparable to in-person therapy. APTA supported the report's rollout in June with an APTA Live event streamed from its headquarters.

	In May, APTA and the HHS Office of Long COVID Research and Practice convened health care leaders, researchers, patients, and policymakers from 18 organizations for a Long COVID Rehabilitation Summit. The summit focused on creating shared language, improving patient outcomes, and developing action plans for equitable, patient-centered care.

	APTA drove a record number of visitors to Find a PT on ChoosePT.com in 2024 through paid, earned, owned, and shared media, providing increased visibility for our member PTs with an active profile.

	More than 33,000 PTs are increasing earning potential as board-certified clinical specialists through APTA's Specialist Certification Program. Plus, board-certified specialists are now able to promote and display this achievement through newly issued specialist certification digital badges.

	Following the launch of the new platform in May 2023, the majority of PT and PTA programs empower professors and students with this helpful tool to evaluate student performance during their clinical experiences.

	Accredited programs prepare PTs for the next steps in their careers, including qualification to sit for APTA's Specialist Certification Program exams.

	APTA's Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program supports thousands of PTs and PTAs in their work to train the next generation of physical therapy professionals.

See how you can maximize the value of membership. Explore a full list of your APTA membership benefits and discounts.