Retraining ReportJob training public funding can pay for

Find training

PTA programs in Washington

11 PTA (physical therapist assistant) programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

9 schools offer these physical therapist assistant programs, and Washington has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Physical therapist assistants work under a physical therapist, helping patients move again and manage pain after injuries and illness. Every state requires an associate degree from an accredited program and a license or certification, which takes passing an exam.1 The exam is the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.2

In Washington, 2 of the 11 programs take students without a high school diploma and 9 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 11 programs here are PTA (associate degree, 8 programs) and physical therapy aide course (3 programs).

See the 11 programs

How much do PTA programs cost in Washington?

Two-year degrees (8 programs)
$6,672 to $15,195most of them, usually 60 to 65 weeks long
Other physical therapist assistant programs (3 programs)
$4,000the one with a price

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
77%
Working 6 months later
77%
Earned a year, estimated
about $36,400
Length
52 to 62 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Washington may also offer PTA programs. How these figures are made

Are there free PTA programs in Washington?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 11 PTA programs in Washington approved for WIOA funding

Filters
What you need to enroll
Kind of program
School
How it's taught
How to show the list

11 programs

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Pima Medical Institute/Seattle

    Seattle

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Pima Medical Institute/Seattle, SeattlePTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$25,900
    Price if you pay yourself$44,519
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Pima Medical Institute/Seattle
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Pima Medical Institute/Seattle
    Finished
    74%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,480
    Length
    75 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    95
    Earned a year, estimated
    $25,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $44,519
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Pima Medical Institute/Seattle

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Whatcom Community College

    Bellingham

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Whatcom Community College, BellinghamPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$36,400
    Price if you pay yourself$15,195
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Whatcom Community College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Whatcom Community College
    Finished
    72%
    Working at 6 months
    77%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,103
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    $670
    Students counted
    27
    Earned a year, estimated
    $36,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $15,195
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Whatcom Community College

  • PTA (associate degree)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Physical Therapist Assistant - Part-time, online/hybrid

    Whatcom Community College

    Based in Bellingham, WA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Whatcom Community College, based in Bellingham, WAPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$36,400
    Price if you pay yourself$15,195
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant - Part-time, online/hybrid at Whatcom Community College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant - Part-time, online/hybrid at Whatcom Community College
    Finished
    72%
    Working at 6 months
    77%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,103
    Length
    30 weeks, 37 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,275
    Students counted
    27
    Earned a year, estimated
    $36,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $15,195
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant - Part-time, online/hybrid at Whatcom Community College

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Green River College

    Auburn

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Green River College, AuburnPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$34,200
    Price if you pay yourself$6,902
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Green River College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Green River College
    Finished
    76%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,550
    Length
    60 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    26
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,902
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Green River College

  • PTA (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Spokane Falls Community College

    Spokane

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Spokane Falls Community College, SpokanePTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$46,000
    Price if you pay yourself$10,019

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Spokane Falls Community College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Spokane Falls Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,505
    Length
    60 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,740
    Students counted
    23
    Earned a year, estimated
    $46,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,019
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Spokane Falls Community College

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Olympic College

    Bremerton

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Olympic College, BremertonPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,647
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Olympic College
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Olympic College
    Finished
    76%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    60 weeks, 19 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    18
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,647
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Olympic College

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Physical Therapist Assistant

    Lake Washington Institute of Technology

    Kirkland

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Lake Washington Institute of Technology, KirklandPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$43,600
    Price if you pay yourself$9,117
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
    More details about Physical Therapist Assistant at Lake Washington Institute of Technology
    Finished
    90%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,892
    Length
    60 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    16
    Earned a year, estimated
    $43,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,117
    Program website, Physical Therapist Assistant at Lake Washington Institute of Technology

  • Physical therapy aide courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Physical Therapy Aide and Administration Specialist

    Walla Walla University

    College Place

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Walla Walla University, College PlacePhysical therapy aide course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,000
    Program website, Physical Therapy Aide and Administration Specialist at Walla Walla University
    More details about Physical Therapy Aide and Administration Specialist at Walla Walla University
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    18 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,000
    Program website, Physical Therapy Aide and Administration Specialist at Walla Walla University

  • PTA (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Physical Therapy Assistant

    Pierce College

    Lakewood

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Pierce College, LakewoodPTA (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,983
    Program website, Physical Therapy Assistant at Pierce College
    More details about Physical Therapy Assistant at Pierce College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    70 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,620
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,983
    Program website, Physical Therapy Assistant at Pierce College

  • Physical therapy aide courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included)

    Shoreline Community College

    Shoreline

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Shoreline Community College, ShorelinePhysical therapy aide course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included) at Shoreline Community College
    More details about Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included) at Shoreline Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported
    Program website, Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included) at Shoreline Community College

  • Physical therapy aide courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included)

    Pierce College

    Lakewood

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Pierce College, LakewoodPhysical therapy aide course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included) at Pierce College
    More details about Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included) at Pierce College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported
    Program website, Certified Physical Therapy Aide (Voucher Included) at Pierce College

How to pay for PTA programs in Washington

WIOA funding can pay for PTA programs in Washington

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for PTA programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for PTA programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: PTA programs in Washington

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
6th of 14
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
4 of 10
PTA programs here, against the typical state's 4
11 vs 4

State comparisons use the same figures as the PTA programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

PTA programs in Seattle, Bellingham, Spokane and other Washington cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 program is online.

Other training in Washington

How PTA programs compare with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in Washington

Where the Washington physical therapist assistant program numbers come from

Which Washington physical therapist assistant programs are on this list?

These are the physical therapist assistant programs Washington approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Washington offers.

How the prices and results of Washington physical therapist assistant programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about PTA programs in Washington

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides
  2. Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy: State Licensure
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List