OPT Physical Therapist Jobs
Physical Therapist roles on OPT require active state licensure, which means passing the NPTE before you can work clinically. Most employers sponsor H-1B visa after OPT, and STEM OPT extension is not available for this field since Physical Therapy falls under a non-STEM CIP code.
See All OPT Physical Therapist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 3,249+ Physical Therapist jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 3,249+ Physical Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Physical Therapist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Evaluates and treats patients with disabilities, injuries, and/or diseases using physical, chemical and mechanical means in accordance with the written and signed prescription and/or referral of a state licensed physician or authorized practitioner. Maintains complete medical records for each patient.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Administers direct patient care in accordance with the written and signed prescription of the referring physician or other State authorized practitioner.
- Utilizes appropriate evaluation techniques with efficiency and thoroughness.
- Designs a treatment program to achieve established goals.
- Makes accurate observations of patient tolerance and/or status during treatment and demonstrates the ability to modify a treatment program as needed.
- Responds appropriately to established department emergency procedures for patient safety and care, when necessary.
- Submits required documentation in accordance with the policies and procedures of the department.
- Participates in quality improvement chart reviews and activities.
- Attends family meetings/conferences and interacts with members of the inter-disciplinary staff pertaining to the welfare and management of assigned patients.
- Performs related duties as required. All responsibilities noted here are considered essential functions of the job under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Duties not mentioned here, but considered related are not essential functions.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy required, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Current License to practice as a Physical Therapist in New York State required, plus specialized certifications as needed.
- 0-3 years of relevant experience, required.
ADDITIONAL SALARY DETAIL
The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member's base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity).
INTRODUCTION
Evaluates and treats patients with disabilities, injuries, and/or diseases using physical, chemical and mechanical means in accordance with the written and signed prescription and/or referral of a state licensed physician or authorized practitioner. Maintains complete medical records for each patient.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Administers direct patient care in accordance with the written and signed prescription of the referring physician or other State authorized practitioner.
- Utilizes appropriate evaluation techniques with efficiency and thoroughness.
- Designs a treatment program to achieve established goals.
- Makes accurate observations of patient tolerance and/or status during treatment and demonstrates the ability to modify a treatment program as needed.
- Responds appropriately to established department emergency procedures for patient safety and care, when necessary.
- Submits required documentation in accordance with the policies and procedures of the department.
- Participates in quality improvement chart reviews and activities.
- Attends family meetings/conferences and interacts with members of the inter-disciplinary staff pertaining to the welfare and management of assigned patients.
- Performs related duties as required. All responsibilities noted here are considered essential functions of the job under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Duties not mentioned here, but considered related are not essential functions.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy required, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Current License to practice as a Physical Therapist in New York State required, plus specialized certifications as needed.
- 0-3 years of relevant experience, required.
ADDITIONAL SALARY DETAIL
The salary range and/or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future. When determining a team member's base salary and/or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity).
See all 3,249+ OPT Physical Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Physical Therapist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Physical Therapist
Obtain your state license before applying
Most PT employers won't consider candidates without an active state license. Pass the NPTE and complete your state's licensure application early. Licensure timelines vary by state, so start this process as soon as your program ends.
Target employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Hospital systems, rehabilitation networks, and outpatient clinic groups file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Research which healthcare employers have sponsored foreign workers before. Migrate Mate surfaces PT roles from employers with known sponsorship track records.
Understand your 12-month OPT window
Physical Therapy is not a STEM-designated field, so you get 12 months of OPT, not 36. Time your job search accordingly and prioritize employers willing to file an H-1B petition before your OPT authorization expires.
Frame your clinical rotations as direct experience
Your doctoral clinical rotations count as professional experience. Present specific patient populations, treatment settings, and outcomes from your rotations. Employers evaluating new graduate PTs treat strong rotation experience as equivalent to prior employment.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship early in the process
Raise sponsorship in your first recruiter conversation, not after an offer. This filters out employers who won't sponsor and saves time. Most healthcare recruiters expect international candidates to ask and can answer directly.
Consider settings with higher sponsorship rates
Inpatient hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and large outpatient chains sponsor more frequently than small private practices. Smaller clinics often lack the legal infrastructure to file H-1B petitions, making them a riskier option on OPT.
Physical Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Physical Therapist on OPT without a state license?
No. Every state requires a valid PT license before you can practice clinically, and OPT work authorization does not override state licensing law. You must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination and complete your state's application process before starting employment. Some states allow you to work under a temporary license while your permanent application is pending, but confirm this with your state licensing board before accepting any offer.
Is Physical Therapy eligible for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Physical Therapy programs are classified under a non-STEM CIP code, so graduates are not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You have a single 12-month OPT period to find and start a qualifying job, which makes it important to begin your search and H-1B conversations early. Use Migrate Mate to identify PT employers that are actively willing to sponsor.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor a Physical Therapist on H-1B after OPT?
Large hospital systems, national rehabilitation chains, and university health centers are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for Physical Therapists. They have established immigration legal support and file petitions routinely. Small private practices and solo clinics rarely sponsor because the legal process is costly and unfamiliar to them. Filtering your search to larger healthcare employers significantly improves your odds of finding a sponsorship-willing role.
Can I do travel PT contracts on OPT?
Travel PT contracts are generally short-term placements arranged through staffing agencies, which creates complications for OPT. Your OPT employer of record must match the employer listed on your EAD, and frequent site changes may conflict with your authorized employment terms. Before accepting a travel contract, confirm with your DSO that the staffing agency qualifies as your OPT employer and that the arrangement meets USCIS practical training requirements.
What happens to my OPT status if my PT job offer is rescinded before I start?
If a job offer is rescinded before you begin work, you enter a period of unemployment counted against your OPT. F-1 students on post-completion OPT have a cumulative 90-day unemployment limit. Report the change to your DSO immediately so they can update your SEVIS record. If you need to find a new PT role quickly, Migrate Mate can help you identify employers with open positions and active sponsorship interest.