Physical Therapist Resume Template & Writing Guide (2026)
Use this template free
Pre-loaded with Physical Therapist-specific keywords.
Key Skills for a Physical Therapist Resume
ATS systems scan for these specific terms. Use exact phrasing from the job description where possible.
Sample Physical Therapist Resume Summary
Lead with your specialty, years of experience, and a key accomplishment — 2–3 sentences max.
"Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) with 5+ years specializing in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. Board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) with expertise in post-surgical recovery and return-to-sport programs."
Sample Physical Therapist Bullet Points
Strong bullets use Action + Impact + Metric. Here are examples:
Maintained a patient satisfaction score of 96% over 3 years while managing a caseload of 14–18 patients per day in an outpatient orthopedic setting
Developed a group ACL rehabilitation program that reduced average recovery time from 9 months to 7.2 months and improved return-to-sport rates by 20%
Reduced documentation time by 30% by implementing structured SOAP note templates in WebPT, freeing 45 minutes per shift for patient care
Tip: Every bullet should start with a strong action verb and include a specific metric. Quantified bullets are 40% more likely to advance past human review.
ATS Tips for Physical Therapist Resumes
List your state license clearly: 'Licensed Physical Therapist — [State]' is a required keyword in most PT job postings.
Include specialty certifications: OCS, SCS, NCS, FAAOMPT — these are specific ATS filters for specialized PT roles.
Add the EMR system you use (WebPT, Clinicient, Therabill) — PT practices filter for this to reduce onboarding time.
What to Include on a Physical Therapist Resume
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a physical therapist include on their resume?
License and certifications, clinical specialties, patient populations served, caseload and productivity metrics, EMR experience, and any program development or teaching. Include APTA membership if you have it.
How do I show outcomes on a physical therapist resume?
Use patient satisfaction scores, functional outcome measures (FOTO, OPTIMAL), discharge rates, return-to-sport rates, and productivity metrics (units billed, patients per day). Clinical outcomes are your equivalent of business metrics.
Should a new DPT graduate list clinical rotations?
Yes — list each affiliation: setting, specialty, supervising therapist's credentials if notable, and key skills developed. Clinical experience is your equivalent of work experience as a new grad.
Is a residency worth mentioning on a PT resume?
Absolutely. An APTA-accredited residency is a significant credential that signals advanced clinical training. List it prominently under education or certifications, especially when applying for specialist roles.