PA vs. PT vs. OT: How to Choose Between Three Popular Health Careers
Physician assistant, physical therapist, and occupational therapist programs attract many of the same students. Compare the work, training length, degrees, and exams side by side.
By Saima Ahmad, MPH· 2 min read
Physician assistant (PA), physical therapist (PT), and occupational therapist (OT) are three of the most popular goals for students with health, biology, kinesiology, and psychology degrees. They're all hands-on, patient-centered, graduate-level careers, but the day-to-day work is quite different.
The short version
- PA: You diagnose and treat illness, order tests, and prescribe medication as part of a medical team.
- PT: You help people move better and recover from injury, surgery, or chronic conditions.
- OT: You help people do the everyday activities that matter to them, such as dressing, working, cooking, and learning, after illness, injury, or disability.
Side by side
| Physician assistant | Physical therapist | Occupational therapist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Medical diagnosis and treatment | Movement, strength, and mobility | Daily activities and independence |
| Degree | Master's | Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | Master's or doctorate (OTD) |
| Typical length after bachelor's | About 27 months | About 3 years | About 2 to 3 years |
| Application service | CASPA | PTCAS | OTCAS |
| Accreditor | ARC-PA | CAPTE | ACOTE |
| Certification exam | PANCE (NCCPA) | NPTE (FSBPT) | NBCOT exam |
| Common settings | Clinics, hospitals, surgery, emergency | Outpatient clinics, hospitals, sports, home health | Hospitals, schools, rehab, mental health, home health |
How the work differs
PAs work in almost every medical specialty and can change specialties during their careers without going back to school. The pace is often fast, especially in emergency medicine and surgery. If you're drawn to diagnosis and medicine but don't want the length of medical school, PA is worth considering.
PTs focus on the body's movement system. A typical day involves assessing strength and range of motion, designing exercise programs, and working hands-on with patients recovering from surgery, strokes, or sports injuries.
OTs look at the whole person and their environment. An OT might help a stroke survivor relearn to cook, adapt a classroom for a child with autism, or support someone managing a mental health condition. If you like creative problem-solving and psychology, OT often fits.
What programs look for
All three are competitive. Most programs expect:
- A bachelor's degree, in any major, with the program's prerequisites completed
- Strong grades, especially in science courses
- Healthcare experience. PA programs often require direct patient-care hours; PT and OT programs usually ask for observation hours with licensed therapists.
- Letters of recommendation and a personal statement
Requirements vary by program, so check each school's website early.
How to decide
- Shadow all three. Spend a day with a PA, a PT, and an OT. Most people know quickly which one feels right.
- Think about the problems you want to solve. Illness and diagnosis point to PA. Movement and recovery point to PT. Independence and daily life point to OT.
- Consider time and cost. Program lengths differ, so compare tuition and time out of the workforce.
Compare the full details on each career page: PA, PT, and OT. Or save all three to your shortlist and use the compare tool to see them side by side.
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