Home care physical therapist jobs: licensing, duties and where to work
Physical therapists who work in home care treat patients in their homes. All states require a license, and the degree is a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Figures on this page use US rates checked October 27, 2026. Check the dated sources because rates and eligibility rules change, and state rules differ.
A physical therapist (PT) in home care treats patients in their homes, to help them recover movement and manage pain. The job needs a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and a state license. Federal home health rules add their own definition of a qualified PT for Medicare-certified agencies.
BLS does not publish a separate occupation for home care PTs. This page uses its profile of physical therapists and the federal home health rules.
What home care physical therapists do
BLS says physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. They assess patients, develop individualized care plans, use exercises and hands-on therapy, track patient progress and teach patients and families about recovery.
In home health, Medicare.gov says Medicare covers physical therapy if you meet certain conditions, as part of home health services alongside part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care. A Medicare home health patient must be homebound and need part-time or intermittent skilled services. When a patient is getting skilled nursing care or therapy, a home health aide may also be covered.
Where physical therapists work
BLS gives these employer shares for physical therapy jobs:
| Employer type | Share of PT jobs |
|---|---|
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 36% |
| Hospitals | 26% |
| Home healthcare services | 11% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 6% |
| Self-employed | 4% |
Home healthcare services is the setting for this page. Browse home health agencies and in-home physical therapy providers in your state to see who operates near you.
Training and licensing
BLS says physical therapists entering the occupation need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All states require physical therapists to be licensed, which includes passing a qualifying exam. BLS says other requirements vary by state, and some states also require a law exam and a criminal background check.
For Medicare-certified home health agencies, 42 CFR 484.115 defines the physical therapist as a person who is licensed, if applicable, by the state in which practicing, and who:
- graduated after successfully completing a physical therapist education program approved by an accrediting body named in the rule; or
- passed an examination for physical therapists approved by the state in which physical therapy services are provided.
The rule also has transitional provisions for people who qualified under earlier standards, which Carevo does not summarize here. Read the rule for the details.
States add their own rules. Your state's physical therapy board sets the license, exam, continuing education and scope of practice. Carevo does not guess at them. Ask your state board and each employer.
Home care physical therapist pay
BLS publishes a national wage estimate for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123) from its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, with a May 2025 reference period. Carevo does not type the figure here so it cannot go out of date. See the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page for the current median. The figure covers physical therapists in all settings, not only home care. It is a national wage paid to workers, so pay in your state and with your employer can be higher or lower Ask each agency how it pays.
How to find home care PT jobs
Home health agencies, hospices and in-home therapy practices hire physical therapists. Browse home health agencies and in-home physical therapy providers in your state, then contact the ones near you. Ask whether the role is staff, per-visit or contract, whether the agency is Medicare-certified and how many visits you would be expected to complete in a day. For the other therapy role, see home health occupational therapist.
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Common questions
What does a physical therapist do in home care?
BLS says physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. They assess patients, develop individualized care plans, use exercises and hands-on therapy, track progress and teach patients and families about recovery. In home care, the therapist does this in the patient's home.
What degree do you need to be a physical therapist?
BLS says physical therapists entering the occupation need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, and all states require physical therapists to be licensed, which includes passing a qualifying exam. Other requirements vary by state.
Does Medicare pay for physical therapy at home?
Medicare.gov says Medicare home health covers physical therapy if you meet certain conditions, along with part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care. The patient must be homebound.
What do federal rules say about home health physical therapists?
42 CFR 484.115 defines a physical therapist for a Medicare-certified home health agency as a person who is licensed, if applicable, by the state in which practicing, and who graduated from an approved physical therapist education program or passed a state-approved examination for physical therapists. The rule also has transitional provisions that Carevo does not summarize.
How much do physical therapists make?
BLS publishes a national wage estimate for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123) for May 2025. See the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page linked in the sources for the current median. BLS does not publish a separate figure for home care, so pay depends on your state and employer.
Does Carevo hire physical therapists?
No. Carevo is a connection platform, not an employer, and it does not place workers. Caregiver registration is coming. The note at the bottom of this page says how to hear when it opens.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Physical Therapists accessed October 27, 2026
- eCFR: 42 CFR 484.115, Personnel qualifications (home health agencies) accessed October 27, 2026
- Medicare.gov: Home health services accessed October 27, 2026
- BLS OEWS time series: Physical Therapists (29-1123), median hourly wage, May 2025 accessed October 27, 2026
Review status: Carevo checked this page against the primary sources listed above. It has not been professionally reviewed by a registered nurse, licensed social worker, benefits counselor or attorney. See our editorial standards.
This page is general information, not financial, legal or medical advice. Rules and services vary by state and by individual circumstances. Use the official sources and decision-maker named on the page. Carevo is a connection platform, not a care provider.