Protect healthcare professionals
We are urging a reassessment of the U.S. Department of Education’s recent RISE Committee recommendation. Currently the proposal would include how the physical therapist degree is classified. If enacted, we can expect significant risks for workforce stability and patient care, limits to student loan, and reduced access to education.
It is essential for lawmakers to ensure the Department maintains the broad inclusion of licensed health professions. Final Frontier encourages you to contact your representatives to be vocal of the importance in getting these regulations corrected ahead of the expected 2026 public comment period.
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Contact your members of Congress through the APTA Patient Action Center: https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/APTA/Campaigns/131766/Respond
The recent recommendation from the Department of Education’s RISE Committee regarding how the physical therapist degree (DPT) is classified has sparked considerable concern among healthcare professionals and stakeholders. The classification impacts not only the professional recognition of physical therapists but also has far-reaching implications on workforce stability, student loan eligibility, and ultimately, patient care quality. Physical therapists play a critical role in rehabilitative care and overall healthcare systems. If the proposal moves forward without revision, students pursuing a physical therapist degree might face restricted access to essential education funding, such as federal student loans, which could lead to a decline in enrollment. This, in turn, risks reducing the available workforce, limiting patients’ access to needed physical therapy services. Moreover, workforce instability could arise if the degree’s professional standing is compromised, affecting job opportunities and the profession’s growth. Protecting the DPT credential ensures that physical therapists maintain broad inclusion among licensed health professions, preserving the quality and availability of care. Engaging with lawmakers and the Department of Education ahead of the 2026 public comment period is vital. Advocating through channels like the American Physical Therapy Association’s Patient Action Center enables concerned individuals to voice the importance of maintaining current regulations and correcting proposed changes. In addition to policy advocacy, raising awareness about the importance of the physical therapist degree and the potential impact of regulatory changes is essential. Healthcare professionals and patients alike benefit from a strong, stable physical therapy workforce that is well-supported through education and fair classification. NPTE FINAL FRONTIER’s campaign "Protect Healthcare Professionals. Protect the DPT." captures the urgency of this issue, emphasizing the need for collective action. By joining advocacy efforts, everyone can contribute to sustaining high-quality physical therapy education, securing patient care access, and protecting professionals devoted to improving lives through therapy.