apta

APTA stands for the American Physical Therapy Association. It is the largest professional association for physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in the United States. The organization also serves students and other stakeholders in the field. APTA aims to advance the profession by promoting high-quality patient care, advancing education and research, and advocating for public policy that improves access to physical therapy.

Founded in 1921 by a small group of therapists, the association adopted its current name as the profession grew. It is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. The governance structure features a Board of Directors and a House of Delegates, which set policies and oversee strategic direction. The organization also maintains professional sections and specialty networks to represent different practice areas.

APTA publishes the scholarly journal Physical Therapy (PTJ) and the member magazine PT in Motion. It sponsors continuing education, practice guidelines, and policy initiatives, and hosts the NEXT Conference & Expo, an annual meeting. The association also supports accreditation for entry-level PT and PTA programs through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Membership includes physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students. APTA's activities emphasize advocacy for reimbursement and access, standards of practice and ethics, and the advancement of science in physical therapy. It also maintains a network of sections and special-interest groups to support professional development.