How to Start Your Own Physical Therapy Practice in 10 Steps

Are you ready to go off on your own, do things your way and open up your own physical therapy clinic but not sure where to start? Below are 5 steps to opening your own practice.

Our best piece of advice is to start seeing clients on the side without quitting your job. You can then try reducing your hours at whatever clinic you currently work at. Of course, you can quit your job and start your practice however keep in mind that on average it takes 24-30 months to become profitable

1) Create a Professional Corporation

The first thing you need to do is pick a name for your business and register the business as a professional corporation in your state.

2) Launch a Website with Online Booking

Pick an easy to remember domain name on GoDaddy or other similar sites. It’s important to have a website that has your name, your bio and credentials, your location, your contact information and a way to book an appointment with you.

You will also want to create an email address using Gmail using your domain name.

You can either create your own website using Squarespace or Wix or hire someone to design and create it for you. 

For online booking, you can use several online booking systems but the one built specifically for physical therapists like you would be One Body. One Body is only $25/user per month. If you are interested, click here to learn more.

At first, it is easier for you to accept cash paying clients until you are credentialed and able to take insurance.

3) Set up your online presence

Set up a business account with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Youtube, Yelp, Google Business. This helps with SEO and is the first step in building an online presence for your practice.

4) Lean on your existing networks

You’ve probably been practicing for several years. The first thing you should do is lean on your existing networks to start getting patients.

Change your LinkedIn and add your new practice. Announce that you are starting your own practice on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram so your personal networks can come see you if they are in need. 

Ask your networks to promote you. Have them retweet or repost your announcement.

Know any doctors who can refer their patients to you? Reach out to them, take them out to lunch and tell them about your new practice.

5) Set yourself up on an electronic medical records

There are various electronic medical records systems you can use to keep track of patient records and chart notes.

A few made specifically for physical therapists are:

Jane App

Kareo

WebPT

6) Pick a location

The easiest way to start your practice is to do at home visits and be a mobile clinic. Eventually, as you build up a client base, you can rent a space from a gym or doctor, and then get your own space once you are ready to hire PTAs or aides to help you out and expand your practice.

7) Get insurance

Get general liability insurance and professional liability insurance to protect yourself when practicing.

8) Get an NPI number and get credentialed

At first, it’s easiest to start with cash paying clients but if you want to cater to a larger pool of clients you’ll have to accept insurance. You can either go in-network or stay out of network. You can work with a biller to set you up.

9) Focus on your online presence

After you’ve set up your online presence, it is important to post content on those channels to continue building up your online presence. Set up a social media calendar so you can keep up with posting on a regular basis.

10) Offer Free Classes

Reach out to local gyms and offer free classes to their clientele to generate awareness.