OPT PT Jobs

PT jobs on OPT are widely available across outpatient clinics, hospitals, sports medicine facilities, and home health agencies. Most roles require a DPT degree and active state licensure, both of which satisfy the specialty occupation standard that supports H-1B visa sponsorship after your OPT period ends.

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Overview

Open Jobs470+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type95% On-site
Median Salary$30K
Top LocationCharlotte, NC
Most JobsTurner & Townsend Pty Limited

Showing 5 of 470+ PT jobs

PruittHealth
Home Health Physical Therapy Assistant PTA
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PruittHealth
Added 1d ago
Home Health Physical Therapy Assistant PTA
PruittHealth
Cumming, Georgia
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Physical Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

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INTEGRIS Health
Physical Therapy Assistant / PTA
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INTEGRIS Health
Added 1d ago
Physical Therapy Assistant / PTA
INTEGRIS Health
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Physical Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Ivyrehab Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Speech-Language Pathology, Pllc
Physical Therapist Assistant PTA
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Ivyrehab Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Speech-Language Pathology, Pllc
Added 1d ago
Physical Therapist Assistant PTA
Ivyrehab Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Speech-Language Pathology, Pllc
Culpeper, Virginia
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Physical Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Not listed
On-Site
Associate's

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Philadelphia University
Patient Care Technician - Telemetry - PT - Nights 7P-7A
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Philadelphia University
Added 1d ago
Patient Care Technician - Telemetry - PT - Nights 7P-7A
Philadelphia University
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Not listed
On-Site
Associate's

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Kontoor Management Services, LLC
PT Sales Lead - Lee Wrangler Outlet
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Kontoor Management Services, LLC
Added 1d ago
PT Sales Lead - Lee Wrangler Outlet
Kontoor Management Services, LLC
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Customer Service & Support
Sales
Account Management
Retail Banking Associate
Not listed
On-Site
Associate's

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in PT

Prioritize employers who have sponsored H-1B visas before

Check USCIS H-1B visa disclosure data to confirm an employer has a history of sponsoring physical therapists. Employers already familiar with the process are far more likely to support your transition from OPT to long-term work authorization.

Apply for your state PT license before OPT starts

Licensure timelines vary by state and can take two to four months. Starting the application while still in school ensures you can work legally on day one of OPT without losing authorized work time waiting on your license.

Apply for your STEM OPT extension early if your DPT qualifies

DPT programs classified under eligible CIP codes may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO and file the extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires.

Target large hospital systems and therapy networks over solo practices

Large healthcare systems like hospital networks and national therapy chains have dedicated HR and legal teams experienced with immigration sponsorship. Solo or small private practices rarely have the infrastructure to support H-1B filings.

Be transparent about your OPT status and timeline during interviews

Mention your work authorization upfront and frame it clearly: you have authorization now and are looking for an employer who can sponsor your H-1B after OPT. Clarity early prevents misaligned expectations from derailing late-stage offers.

Match your specialty area to employer sponsorship patterns

Outpatient orthopedics, pediatrics, and neuro rehab roles at large health systems sponsor more consistently than niche or travel PT contracts. Focusing on settings with higher sponsorship rates improves your chances of a long-term employment pathway.

PT OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a PT on OPT without a state license?

No. Physical therapy is a licensed profession in all 50 states, and you cannot legally practice without an active state license regardless of your OPT authorization. You need both your EAD card and a valid PT license in the state where you'll practice. Apply for licensure as early as possible since processing times range from six weeks to four months depending on the state.

Does a PT role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT and future H-1B purposes?

Yes. Physical therapy roles consistently qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, a professional degree in a specific field. This makes PT one of the more straightforward job titles for H-1B petitions. Your DPT directly satisfies both the OPT employment requirement of working in a field related to your degree and the H-1B specialty occupation standard.

Can I work across multiple PT settings or for multiple employers on OPT?

Yes, but each position must be directly related to your DPT program and must be reported to your DSO. You can work part-time for more than one employer simultaneously as long as combined hours are within your authorized limits. If you're on post-completion OPT, you must work at least 20 hours per week in qualifying employment. Notify your DSO before adding or changing employers.

How do I find PT jobs that are open to OPT candidates?

Many PT job postings don't explicitly mention OPT sponsorship, so filtering by employer sponsorship history matters more than what the listing says. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces PT roles from employers with documented sponsorship activity, saving you from applying to positions that will disqualify you at the offer stage.

Does my DPT qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

It depends on the CIP code your program is classified under at your university. Some DPT programs are coded under Health Professions CIP codes that are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, while others may qualify. Check with your DSO to confirm your program's exact CIP code against the current DHS STEM list. Do not assume your DPT qualifies without verifying through your institution.