The American Physical Therapy Association is a national accreditor of physical therapy schools, aiming to promote therapists with the critical thinking skills to move the field forward into new advancements. One major goal they are working toward is changing the physical therapist degree from a professional degree to a doctoral degree. By 2020, the APTA aims to change the system so all graduating physical therapists will be doctors of physical therapy.

The association has been in existence since 1921, when it was started as an association for women's. Since, membership has grown from 274 to over 66,000 and has allowed both men and women to become involved. Also, the association has become the major accreditor of physical therapy in the United States.

The accrediting commission is dedicated to looking over the rules and regulations in this field of education, so it can further the development of physical therapists nation wide.