American Physical Therapy Association

Michael A. Pagliarulo

Approximately 70% of Americans are members of at least one association; 25% belong to four or more. Although the role of associations varies, these organizational entities offer [forums] for communication and collaboration, develop ethical standards for the individuals or groups they represent, educate members and the public, and provide a vehicle for change in society.

Environmental Statement, American Physical Therapy Association

Key Terms

American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

annual conference and exposition

assembly

Board of Directors (BOD)

chapter

Combined Sections Meeting

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

components

district

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)

Foundation for Physical Therapy

House of Delegates (HOD)

section

special interest group (SIG)

TriAlliance of Health and Health and Rehabilitation Professions (TriAlliance)

World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT)

The definition of physical therapy presented in Chapter 1 demonstrates that this discipline is a profession, because it possesses all the qualities or criteria of a profession. One of these criteria is a representative organization. This chapter focuses on the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), which is the national organization that represents the physical therapy profession. The organization’s mission, structure, and benefits are described here. A historical account of the Association was presented in Chapter 1. Affiliated and related organizations representing physical therapy interests are included at the end of this chapter.

Mission and Goals

The APTA is a national member-driven organization that represents the profession of physical therapy (Figure 4-1). It is composed of more than 78,000 physical therapists (PTs), physical therapist assistants (PTAs), and students throughout the United States and abroad. Membership is strictly voluntary.

Figure 4-1 Logo for the American Physical Therapy Association. (Courtesy American Physical Therapy Association.)

In 1993 the House of Delegates (HOD) of the APTA adopted a mission statement and related policy. The statement ¹ (Box 4-1) and policy² (Box 4-2) demonstrate the profession’s interest in serving the public and its members through practice, education, and research.

BOX 4-1 Mission of the American Physical Therapy Association

The mission of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the principal membership organization representing and promoting the profession of physical therapy, is to further the profession’s role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of movement dysfunctions and the enhancement of the physical health and functional abilities of members of the public.

Reprinted from Mission Statement of APTA, HOD P06-93-05-05. House of Delegates Standards, Policies, Positions, and Guidelines. Alexandria, VA, American Physical Therapy Association, 2009, with permission of the American Physical Therapy Association. This material is copyrighted, and any further reproduction or distribution requires written permission from APTA.

BOX 4-2 Mission Statement Fulfillment

To fulfill the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA’s) Mission, to meet the needs and interests of its members, and to promote physical therapy as a vital professional career, the Association shall:

Promote physical therapy care and services through the establishment, maintenance, and promotion of ethical principles and quality standards for practice, education, and research

Influence policy in the public and private sectors

Enable physical therapy practitioners to improve their skills, knowledge, and operations in the interest of furthering the profession

Develop and improve the art and science of physical therapy, including practice, education, and research

Facilitate a common understanding and appreciation for the diversity of the profession, the membership, and the communities we serve

Maintain a stable and diverse financial base from which to fund the programs, services, and operations that support this mission

Reprinted from Mission Statement Fulfillment, HOD P06-93-06-07. House of Delegates Standards, Policies, Positions, and Guidelines. Alexandria, VA, American Physical Therapy Association, 2009, with permission of the American Physical Therapy Association. This material is copyrighted, and any further reproduction or distribution requires written permission from APTA.

Goals for the APTA are proposed by the Board of Directors (BOD). They are then reviewed and approved by the HOD. The current goals were approved by the HOD in June 2005 and are presented in Box 4-3.³ These goals direct the activities and funding priorities for the new year and reiterate the grounding in education, research, and practice. They are anchored in the Vision 2020 Statement and further promote activities to attain this vision. (See Chapter 1 for further description of Vision 2020.)

BOX 4-3 Goals that Represent the Priorities of the American Physical Therapy Association

Goal I: Physical therapists are universally recognized and promoted as the practitioners of choice for persons with conditions that affect movement and function.

Goal II: Physical therapists are universally recognized and promoted as providers of fitness, health promotion, wellness, and risk-reduction programs to enhance quality of life for persons across the life span.

Goal III: Academic and clinical education prepares doctors of physical therapy who are autonomous practitioners.

Goal IV: Physical therapists are autonomous practitioners to whom patients/clients have unrestricted direct access as an entry point into the health care delivery system and who are paid for all elements of patient/client management in all practice environments.

Goal V: Research advances the science of physical therapy and furthers the evidence-based practice of the physical therapist.

Goal VI: Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are committed to meeting the health needs of patients/clients and society through ethical behavior, continued competence, collegial relationships with other health care practitioners, and advocacy for the profession.

Goal VII: Communication throughout the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)Association enhances participation of and responsiveness to members and promotes and instills the value of belonging to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)Association.

Goal VIII: APTA standards, policies, positions, guidelines and the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, Normative Model of Physical Therapist Education, Evaluative Criteria for Accreditation of Education Programs for the Preparation of Physical Therapists, Normative Model of Physical Therapist Assistant Education, Evaluative Criteria for Accreditation of Education Program for the Preparation of Physical Therapist Assistants, and Professionalism in Physical Therapy: Core Values are recognized and used as the foundation for physical therapist practice, research, and education environments.

These goals are based upon APTA Vision Statement for Physical Therapy 2020 (Vision 2020), developed by the Association in 2000. The goals encompass the Association’s major priorities as it moves toward realization of the ideals set forth in Vision 2020. The Board is committed to these goals as the foundation from which to lead the Association. The Association’s awareness of cultural diversity, its commitment to expanding minority representation and participation in physical therapy, and its commitment to equal opportunity for all members permeate these goals. These goals are not ranked and do not represent any priority order.

Reprinted from Goals That Represent the Priorities of the American Physical Therapy Association, HOD P06-05-15-24. House of Delegates Standards, Policies, Positions, and Guidelines. Alexandria, VA, American Physical Therapy Association, 2009, with permission of the American Physical Therapy Association. This material is copyrighted, and any further reproduction or distribution requires written permission from APTA.

Organizational Structure

The organizational structure of the APTA is depicted in Figure 4-2. This structure provides a three-tiered approach (local, state, and national) to serve the members and the public. Three units at the state and national levels—chapters, sections, and assemblies—are the components of the APTA. Policymaking bodies, with their respective committees and task forces, and staff complete the general plan of this organization. Each level is described in this section, beginning with the primary unit, the membership.

Membership

As stated earlier, membership in the APTA is voluntary; however, it is estimated that approximately two thirds of licensed PTs in the United States are members. This extensive membership provides strength and diversity to the organization.

The primary membership categories of the APTA are physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, and their respective student categories.⁴ Other categories include life, retired, corresponding, honorary (not a member in any other category and has made outstanding contributions to the APTA or health of the public), and Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA (physical therapist member for at least 15 years who has made notable contributions to the profession; may use the initials FAPTA). Requirements for membership include graduation from (or enrollment in) an education program approved by (or seeking candidacy from) a recognized accrediting agency. In addition, the applicant must sign a pledge indicating compliance with the Code of Ethics (physical therapist and related categories) or Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (physical therapist assistant and related categories) and pay dues.

Service to the membership has always been one of the main purposes of the APTA. Members have had a sense of pride and commitment to the organization. In fact, during the formative years of the profession, membership in this organization was considered the standard for competence. This proud heritage remains today; however, membership is not required to demonstrate competence.

Districts

As noted in Figure 4-2, a district is the most local organizational unit in the structure of APTA. Districts do not exist in all jurisdictions, such as small states. Membership is automatic where they do exist and may be based on location of residence or employment as provided in the bylaws of APTA.

Districts are more common in locations with high population densities or large geographic areas and frequently consist of one or more counties. This arrangement provides a mechanism for convenient meetings and participation. It also provides a basis for representation in a body that conducts business at the next level of organization, the chapter.

Chapters

In accordance with the standing rules of APTA, a chapter “must coincide with or be confined within the legally constituted boundaries of a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia.”⁴ In 2011 APTA consisted of 51 chapters—one for each state, and the District of Columbia. Membership in a chapter is automatic and based on location of residence, employment, education, or greatest active participation (in the last case, only in an immediately adjacent chapter). In contrast to districts, which are not permitted to assess dues, each chapter requires dues from PT and PTA members and, in a few cases, student members.

Chapters are an important component of APTA. They provide a mechanism for participation at a state level and proportionate representation at the national level (see later discussion of the HOD). Participation is facilitated through authorized special interest groups (SIGs) and assemblies to address the needs of recognized subsidiary groups. Chapters also provide an important voice for members at the state level of government. This capacity is essential to maintain statewide legislation and regulations appropriate to the profession and practice of physical therapy.

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