How much school do you have to become a physical therapist?

To become a physical therapist in the United States, you need a minimum of a doctorate degree, a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). This is a professional doctorate degree, not a PhD. Before starting the DPT program, you'll also need a bachelor's degree, typically in a related field like biology, kinesiology, or exercise science. Therefore, the total schooling is usually around 7 years (4 years for the bachelor's + 3 years for the DPT).