Do hand therapists count as physical therapists?

[ctwen]

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I am currently trying to get references for the PT schools i will be applying to. Most of the schools require at least one physical therapist but i think i can only get a solid reference from a hand therapist i shadowed this year. My question is:

Will the schools count hand therapists as practicing physical therapists as well?

 

[MinnDasota]

Depends, Hand therapists are specialists from PT or OT. You just gotta figure out which one he or she is. Obviously if PT, then you will have no problem.

 

[MsLadyTherapist]

You need 5 years of experience in a related setting after you are an OT or PT to be eligible to become a certified hand therapist. (from my understanding)

 

[cdpt15]

The hand therapists I knew were trained as occupational therapists.

 

[Shelby029]

They would either be PT or OT. Typically from what I understand they are most often OT's but just ask or check their credentials.