At a minimum, you’ll need a master’s degree and a state license to become a practicing therapist. Many students also pursue a doctor of physical therapy degree, and new graduates taking the national licensure examination in the field after 2017 will be required to hold such a degree. Most doctoral programs take three years, compared with two or two and a half for a master’s. Many licenses also require continuing education in order to stay certified.

On-the-job internships are a required part of any physical therapist’s training, and experts say that’s the place to make the connections that will land you a job. “It’s a unique opportunity for students to pay attention to what they like or don’t like” about the job or a particular type of practice, says Janet Bezner, vice president for education, governance and administration at the American Physical Therapy Association. Starting the job hunt while still in school is key, she says. That’s where you should narrow the type of patients you’d like to treat, be they orthopedic, pediatric, geriatric or another demographic, and identify the size and style of practice that will best suit you. She also advises applicants to highlight other skills in addition to their PT education and training. For example, Bezner notes a variety of skills, from a Pilates certification to an MBA, can add something extra when joining a practice. Plus, she says the current environment favors the job-seeker, so applicants have more room to tailor their job hunt to their own specifications.