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The Physical Therapist Workforce & Patient Access Act is gaining national attention and for a good reason. As school districts continue to navigate staffing shortages and rising student needs, this legislation carries major implications for school-based therapy and the future of school-based physical therapy careers.
For school-based clinicians, understanding this bill can help shape advocacy, planning, and long-term staffing solutions across districts.
What Is the Physical Therapist Workforce & Patient Access Act?
Backed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Act proposes key changes aimed at strengthening the national PT workforce and expanding access to services in underserved communities.
According to APTA, the Act would:
PTs working in Health Professional Shortage Areas could receive up to $50,000 in loan repayment, helping attract new graduates into high-need settings, including school-based therapy roles in rural or underserved districts.
Community Health Centers (CHCs) would gain the ability to hire PTs and bill Medicare/Medicaid, expanding physical therapy access in areas with limited providers.
APTA notes a national shortfall of more than 12,000 FTE PTs and rising demand through 2037, highlighting widespread workforce challenges that directly impact school-based therapy staffing.
(Source: APTA Workforce Forecast and APTA Legislative Updates)
Why This Matters for School-Based Therapy Teams
The Act aligns directly with school district needs, especially for those struggling to recruit and retain school-based physical therapists.
Loan repayment incentives may attract new grads and early-career PTs into school-based physical therapy careers, particularly in rural or high-need communities where hiring is most challenging.
As CHCs expand PT roles, districts may be able to collaborate on:
This could reduce gaps in related services and improve continuity of care for students.
By incentivizing long-term placement in underserved areas, the Act supports stronger, more stable school-based therapy teams reducing turnover and improving student outcomes.
Potential Challenges for Districts to Consider
Even with workforce expansion, districts may still face:
Schools will need proactive strategies to fully leverage the benefits of the Act.
How School Districts Can Prepare Now
Highlight benefits such as flexible scheduling, meaningful student relationships, and professional growth within school-based therapy. Austill’s partners closely with school districts to support this recruitment pipeline by helping districts attract qualified physical therapists, streamline the hiring process, and connect clinicians with school-based roles where they can thrive.
Connecting with nearby CHCs can open the door to collaborative staffing or hybrid service models that support related services.
Using APTA’s advocacy tools, school-based clinicians and administrators can support legislation that directly impacts access to school therapy services.
Understanding PT vacancies, caseloads, and student needs makes it easier to plan for long-term therapy staffing needs.
The PT Workforce & Patient Access Act has the potential to significantly expand access to school-based physical therapy and strengthen the pipeline of clinicians entering physical therapy careers in school settings. For districts striving to support students’ mobility, participation, and inclusion, this legislation could be a meaningful step toward improved access and more sustainable school-based therapy models.
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!
