APTA
APTA is a US professional association representing over 100,000 physical therapists, assistants and students through education, research, advocacy and a patient directory.
APTA, the American Physical Therapy Association, is a professional association and the national voice for the physical therapy profession in the United States. It represents more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy students. Founded on January 15th 1921 at Keens Chophouse in New York City by a group of women practitioners, it was originally established as the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association. It is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.
The association works across several fronts on behalf of the profession. It publishes research and develops clinical practice guidelines; it advocates on payment policy and sets professional standards for practitioners; and it offers continuing education and career development resources covering practice management and member career progression. For the public, APTA runs Find a PT, a directory that helps patients locate physical therapists.
APTA operates through a network of chapters, sections, academies and special interest groups, a structure intended to accommodate the diversity of member needs within the profession. The organisation describes its mission as building a community that advances the profession to improve the health of society, with stated commitments to excellence, belonging and innovation.