DPT Programs in Virginia

Online DPT Programs vs On Campus Programs in Virginia

When looking for the right DPT programs, think about how your schedule and learning style may influence what is the best program for you. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Would I prefer to report to a campus or attend class without leaving my home?
• Do I need to be able to ask questions during class or participate in discussions to stay focused?
• Are there times during the week where I cannot attend class?
• Does my schedule outside of my degree typically stay the same from week to week?

Answering these questions can help you determine many things, such as whether you might learn better on campus in a classroom or whether you need the flexibility of an online DPT program.

Online DPT Programs in Virginia

Programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) are expected to meet the same standards whether they are delivered wholly by distance, face to face, or as a blend of the two, according to CAPTE's guidance on implementing distance education (adopted April 2019). The online options listed below are hybrid programs, which blend online coursework with in-person components. Check with the programs you are interested in to determine whether and how often you would need to report to campus for hands-on skills learning.

Online courses are typically delivered in one of the following ways or a blend of both, as CAPTE's distance education guidance describes:

• Synchronously (in real time)
• Asynchronously (at the convenience of the student)

The questions you answered earlier in this guide will help you determine which of these delivery formats may best suit you.

DPT programs also include a fieldwork component. CAPTE's 2025 PT Aggregate Program Data Fact Sheet reports an average of 35.2 weeks of full-time clinical education in the professional curriculum. Ask the programs you are interested in where their students complete fieldwork and what assistance they can offer when it comes time to secure field placements.

On Campus DPT Programs in Virginia

With on campus programs, students go to class on campus, an experience known to many. Ask each program where its students typically complete clinical placements and how it supports students in finding them.

How Long Do Virginia DPT Programs Take to Complete?

DPT programs vary in length, and the calendar time from start to finish depends on how each program schedules its terms and breaks. CAPTE's 2025 PT Aggregate Program Data Fact Sheet reports an average professional curriculum of 122.6 weeks, made up of 87.4 weeks of didactic content and 35.2 weeks of full-time clinical education. Verify the specific length and structure with the programs you are interested in.

The tables below show the study length for each program listed.

Typical Hybrid DPT Programs Available to Virginia Students

The following hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are listed for students in Virginia. Confirm with each program that it enrolls students from Virginia before you apply.

General Tips on How to Become a Physical Therapist in Virginia

To become a physical therapist in Virginia, 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) which may help you ensure you meet licensure requirements in the future. Virginia's regulations ask applicants to submit documented evidence of graduation from an approved program (18VAC112-20-40).
2. Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) – To do this, you will likely need to get approval from both the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and the state of Virginia. Licensure by examination in Virginia requires documentation of passing the national examination (18VAC112-20-60).
3. Get Licensed – You may want to make sure your NPTE score is set up to be transferred to the state organization governing PTs so that the state can issue your license once you pass and check with the board to make sure you meet any additional requirements for licensure. This is a high-level overview, make sure to check out the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy for exact requirements.

Virginia Licensure Requirements at a Glance

The Virginia Board of Physical Therapy, part of the state's Department of Health Professions, regulates physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and Direct Access Certification. The points below draw on Virginia's regulations and the PT Compact's member-state map, so check the Board for current forms, fees and requirements before you apply.

• Licensure route. Virginia licenses physical therapists by examination or by endorsement (18VAC112-20-30).
• Applying by examination. Applicants submit documentation that they meet the education requirements, the required application and fees, and a criminal history background check, along with documentation of passing the national examination (18VAC112-20-60).
• PT Compact. As of September 2026, the Physical Therapy Compact map lists Virginia among the member states actively issuing and accepting compact privileges. A physical therapist licensed in a remote state must comply with the Physical Therapy Compact Commission's rules to obtain a compact privilege to practice in Virginia (18VAC112-20-82).
• Direct access. Virginia law generally requires a referral for physical therapy, but a physical therapist who has completed a doctor of physical therapy program approved by CAPTE, or who has obtained a certificate of authorization, may evaluate and treat a patient without a referral under the conditions in § 54.1-3482, and the statute requires invasive procedures to be performed only under a referral. According to the Board's Licensure FAQs, a physical therapist originally licensed in Virginia with a Doctor of Physical Therapy from a CAPTE-approved program is not required to obtain a separate Direct Access Certification. Other physical therapists need an active, unrestricted Virginia license and must meet the certification requirements in 18VAC112-20-81.