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As districts continue to face rising student needs and persistent recruitment challenges, national workforce legislation is becoming increasingly relevant to the school-based physical therapy landscape. One proposal gaining traction is the Physical Therapist Workforce & Patient Access Act. This act could influence how schools hire, retain, and collaborate with physical therapists in underserved communities.
For those working in school-based practice or supporting district therapy programs, understanding the potential impact of this bill can help inform future planning and advocacy.
A Snapshot of the Legislation
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has identified this Act as a priority because it aims to strengthen access to physical therapy in areas with limited provider availability. According to APTA, the legislation includes two major components:
The bill would make physical therapists eligible for loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). This program historically supports primary care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Extending eligibility to PTs could significantly influence where new graduates choose to practice.
The Act would also allow CHCs to bring physical therapists onto their teams and bill Medicare and Medicaid for those services. This is especially relevant for regions where access to PT is limited due to distance, limited providers, or inconsistent funding.
Together, these provisions aim to increase the national therapy workforce and widen access in underserved communities.
Source: Information referenced from APTA’s legislative resources and workforce analyses.
Why Schools Should Pay Attention
While the bill isn’t written specifically for educational settings, the ripple effects could directly benefit school-based clinicians and the students they serve.
Many districts, especially in underserved or geographically spread-out regions, face challenges recruiting physical therapists. If the legislation draws more PTs into shortage areas, schools could benefit from a larger candidate pool and more reliable staffing for their related services programs. AOT partners with districts to meet these needs by linking schools with skilled school-based physical therapists and offering staffing support that strengthens long-term service delivery.
If Community Health Centers begin employing PTs more frequently, there is potential for collaborative staffing models between CHCs and school districts. Such partnerships could streamline referrals, enhance communication around student mobility needs, and provide schools access to clinicians they may not otherwise be able to recruit.
More consistent therapy staffing translates directly to better access for students who rely on physical therapy to support participation, safety, and school engagement.
Potential Considerations for District Teams
Even with the advantages this legislation offers, a few variables remain:
That said, the Act provides a promising long-term strategy for addressing therapist shortages that have affected schools for years.
How School Leaders and Clinicians Can Prepare
Here are proactive steps that therapy administrators, coordinators, and school-based clinicians can take as legislation progresses:
Stay Connected with APTA Advocacy
APTA provides tools for PTs and partners to follow the bill, support its passage, and understand its implications. Engaging with these updates helps stakeholders stay prepared as details evolve.
Strengthen the Pipeline Into School-Based Physical Therapy Careers
Highlighting the value of working in schools — collaborative teams, meaningful student impact, and a stable schedule can attract PTs who may not have previously considered the educational setting. AOT helps districts build this pipeline by connecting them with physical therapists who are interested in school-based roles and by supporting clinicians as they transition into educational practice.
Assess Current Staffing Gaps
Documenting vacancies, student needs, and service delays can help districts advocate for resources and demonstrate where the legislation could make a measurable difference.
The Physical Therapist Workforce & Patient Access Act has the potential to expand access to PT services nationally including within schools. While its primary focus is healthcare access, its workforce incentives could reduce hiring challenges, open doors to new partnerships, and support the long-term sustainability of school-based physical therapy programs.
For districts, therapy leaders, and clinicians committed to helping students access the mobility and participation supports they need, this is legislation worth watching closely.
AOTA Advocacy for OTs: OT School Loan Limits and Caps | AOTA
“The Department of Education (ED) is moving forward with new rules that will fundamentally change how graduate students finance their education.
Under the rule ED will propose, master’s and doctoral occupational therapy programs are not classified as professional programs, but instead as graduate programs. “Graduate programs” will have a $20,500 annual limit, with a $100,000 total cap, while programs defined as “Professional programs” will have a $50,000 annual limit, and $200,000 total cap. This means that future OT students would be subject to a significantly lower loan limits. This change will take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to new borrowers. Existing borrowers will not be impacted. Many other health professions, including physical therapy (PT), speech-language pathology, advanced practice nursing, and physician associates will also be classified as graduate programs.
This isn’t what Congress intended, and we need you to contact your Members of Congress to urge them to do all they can to make sure the Department of Education follows their intent and includes a broad range of health professions on that list.
The elimination of the Grad PLUS program, combined with restrictive borrowing caps, will force many students to seek private loans, often at higher interest rates and with credit requirements that create barriers to entry. This policy risks reducing access to OT education and worsening workforce shortages at a time of growing demand for occupational therapy services.
It’s vital for your Members of Congress to hear from you today about the importance of getting these regulations right.” (Source: aota.org)
Contact your Members of Congress today!