DPT Programs in North Carolina

Online DPT Programs vs On Campus Programs in North Carolina

When deciding which DPT programs are worth applying to, eliminating anything that does not mesh with any scheduling needs that you have is a good start. For example, don’t choose a program that mainly offers night classes if you need to be taking your classes during the day and have other evening commitments. Also consider your commute. If getting to campus would be a challenge for you, you may want to put more of your efforts into looking at online/hybrid options. If you are in need of added flexibility in your schedule, you may also want to consider online DPT programs.

Online DPT Programs in North Carolina

Any online offering of an accredited doctor of physical therapy program is going to fall under the category of hybrid. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) requires every accredited DPT program to include clinical education experiences in practice settings representative of those where physical therapy is practiced, so you will complete that part of the program in clinical settings rather than online (CAPTE, Standards and Required Elements for Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education Programs, Elements 6A and 6H, updated July 28, 2026, retrieved October 1, 2026). Just make sure to ask the schools you are interested in what in-person activities their program requires and how often you will need to travel, and consider how far you need to go so you can make a decision as to whether the travel is feasible for you.

The online aspect of a hybrid DPT program is either taught asynchronously or synchronously (or through both of these modes of delivery). Synchronous learning is anything that happens live, requiring students to join a lecture or activity in real time. If a student can complete an activity or view a lecture on their own time, they are learning asynchronously. Those who are looking to have a learning experience that is as close to the campus version as possible will want more synchronous learning. Those who need more flexibility will appreciate that asynchronous learning allows them to work on their studies when it is most convenient for them.

As with any program with a clinical component, you will need to report in person to clinical placement sites to get the experience you need to become licensed as a PT. CAPTE requires accredited programs to include at least 30 weeks of full-time clinical education, based on a minimum of 32 hours per week (CAPTE Standards and Required Elements, Element 6A, updated July 28, 2026, retrieved October 1, 2026). Check with the programs you plan on applying to about whether they will be able to place you at sites close to home.

On Campus DPT Programs in North Carolina

Anyone with an undergraduate degree is likely familiar with the process of going to class and taking exams at an on campus program. The coursework component of an on campus graduate program will have many similarities to this experience. As for the clinical requirements, these take place in clinical practice settings (CAPTE Standards and Required Elements, Element 6H, retrieved October 1, 2026), so ask each program where its placement sites are located.

How Long Do North Carolina DPT Programs Take to Complete?

Earning a DPT takes about 2.4 years on average. CAPTE’s 2025 aggregate program data put the average length of an accredited PT program at 122.6 weeks, including about 35 weeks of full-time clinical education (CAPTE, 2025 PT Aggregate Program Data Fact Sheet, updated July 13, 2026). Individual programs can take more or less time, so ask the programs you are interested in about the specific layout of their curriculum and how long it will take to complete.

You can see the specific program lengths for all North Carolina on campus and online DPT programs in the tables below.

Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to North Carolina Students

The following hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are available to students in North Carolina.

General Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in North Carolina

To become a physical therapist in North Carolina, here are some common steps:

1. Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree – Consider looking for physical therapy programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). North Carolina’s licensing board requires applicants who were not educated in a CAPTE-accredited program to have their credentials reviewed for substantial equivalence to CAPTE education (North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, application instructions, retrieved September 29, 2026). CAPTE also maintains a directory of accredited physical therapist programs you can search.
2. Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) – You register for the NPTE through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), and your school verifies your graduation eligibility. For students in CAPTE-accredited programs, FSBPT determines exam eligibility, and you also start your online application with the state of North Carolina. Scores are sent to the state you tested through, and you can ask FSBPT to transfer them to other states (North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, NPTE instructions, retrieved September 29, 2026).
3. Get Licensed – North Carolina issues a license, not a certification, to physical therapists. The standard application fee for physical therapists is $150 and is non-refundable (North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, fee schedule, retrieved September 29, 2026). Military applicants have the application fee waived, but they must still pay the cost of the FBI fingerprint criminal background check (North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, application instructions, section A.7, retrieved October 1, 2026). New applicants must also complete an FBI fingerprint criminal background check, which can take up to 60 days, and Jurisprudence Exercise 1 through their online dashboard, and your school must send your official transcript directly to the Board (North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, application instructions, retrieved September 29, 2026). Licenses run February 1 through January 31 and must be renewed every year by January 31, and an application stays active for one year after submission (North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, new application requirements, retrieved September 29, 2026); the annual renewal fee is $120 (fee schedule, above). This is a high-level overview. Make sure to check out the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for exact requirements.