Target first cohort: Fall 2027, contingent upon achieving Candidate for Accreditation status from CAPTE.
Planned class size: Approximately 40 students
Doctorate of Physical Therapy
The ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ School of Public Health is developing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program to prepare practice-ready physical therapists who will advance across Nevada's communities.
Accreditation candidacy in process
Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; accreditationsupport@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website.
The University of Nevada Reno is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on Nov 1, 2026. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
Anticipated timeline
- November 2026 - Application for Candidacy (AFC) submitted to CAPTE
- Spring 2027 - CAPTE on‑site review (candidacy visit)
- Summer 2027 - Candidacy decision
- Fall 2027 - If candidacy is granted, matriculate first cohort
- Post‑launch - Ongoing monitoring; initial accreditation review occurs after first cohort enrollment and program progress
All dates are tentative and contingent upon achieving Candidate for Accreditation status from CAPTE. Matriculation is not permitted until candidacy is granted.
Program overview
The University of Nevada Reno, School of Public Health is developing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program to prepare practice‑ready physical therapists who will advance health across Nevada’s communities with a strong commitment to rural health and improving access to care across Nevada. The program emphasizes evidence‑based practice, interprofessional education, rural and underserved care and community engagement.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is three years in length and is expected to begin in the fall 2027, contingent upon achieving Candidate for Accreditation status from CAPTE. The program will follow a modified semester model.
Application Cycle and Admission Requirements
Our first application cycle is now open through the University’s internal application system, not PTCAS. Applicants can apply directly using the . The application is also available through the ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ Graduate School’s graduate programs website by selecting the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The priority application deadline is open until Oct. 1, 2026, and the final application deadline is Nov. 1, 2026.
- Baccalaureate degree with minimum 3.00 GPA
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Three letters of recommendation: One letter must be from a licensed physical therapist
- Observation hours: Applicants must complete 40–50 or more hours of physical therapy observation in a minimum of two different clinical settings to demonstrate exposure to diverse patient populations and practice environments.
- Committee interview
- No GRE required
Prerequisite coursework
Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the past seven years or included as part of a degree completed within the past seven years. Some exceptions can be given on individual cases.
- Biology (with labs)
- Chemistry I & II (with labs)
- Physics I & II (with labs)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (or A&P I-II or separate courses)
- Statistics
- Psychology
- English/Writing
- Kinesiology and/or biomechanics and/or exercise physiology (Recommended - not required)
Some preference may be given to Nevada residents during the admissions process.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Developing" indicates the program is in pre-accreditation. The ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in November 2026. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to matriculation of the first cohort of students.
Programs may revise and reapply in a subsequent cycle. Students cannot matriculate until CAPTE Candidate for Accreditation status is granted. We will communicate any timeline changes on this page.
The program anticipates enrolling ~40 students in the first cohort to ensure a high-quality educational experience.
Clinical rotation sites will be located across Nevada through partnerships with health systems and community clinics, including those serving rural and underserved communities. Additional details will be shared as affiliation agreements are finalized.
Licensure
After successfully completing the program, students become eligible to take the . Graduating students must take and pass the NPTE to become a licensed physical therapist. In addition to taking and passing the NPTE, graduating students must apply for licensure to practice as a physical therapist in each U.S. state or territory where they will work.
The ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ DPT encourages all prospective and current students to fully explore the licensure requirements in each state(s) where they wish to practice in the future. For more details regarding state licensure, visit the ) page. The FSBPT provides students and current licensees with contact information for the respective physical therapy licensing boards for all U.S. states and territories, as well as useful tools to determine state-by-state licensing requirements.
Nevada Physical Therapy Licensure
Those planning to apply for a license to practice physical therapy in Nevada are encouraged to review the relevant Nevada statutes and regulations regarding the practice of physical therapy. Learn more at the
Education Requirements: The ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ DPT program has determined that the program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in Nevada as outlined in NRS 640 and NAC 640.
Non-Education Requirements: Non-Educational requirements, as outlined in NRS 640 and NAC 640 (as of May 2020), include the following: Must pass national exam; must provide official transcript from DPT program; must take and pass a jurisprudence assessment; must submit fingerprints and background check; must submit an application and pay a fee; must be of good moral character.
Contact the program director
Daryl Lawson
Director of the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program