Apply now to start your Physical Therapy Aide diploma at our Riverside Main Campus.
Train to support patients alongside licensed Physical Therapists. Enrolling now for the next class. Federal aid + GI Bill® accepted.
Start your Physical Therapy Aide application
Reserve your seat for the next class. An admissions advisor will follow up during business hours.
By submitting, I'm 18+ and consent to be contacted by ACH about enrollment by phone, text, or email — including via automated systems. Consent is not required to enroll. Full consent & privacy terms →
From classroom to clinic in about 9 months
Hands-on from week one
Transfers, positioning, and patient support.
Therapeutic skills
Therapeutic exercise, stretching, and equipment.
Real clinical hours
240 hours in a PT or rehabilitation clinic.
Inside the Physical Therapy Aide program
Why students choose our Riverside Main Campus
Four reasons students choose ACH for physical therapy aide training.
ABHES accredited · BPPE approved
The American College of Healthcare is accredited by ABHES and approved by the California BPPE — the standards clinics expect.
Hands-on from week one
Practice patient care, therapeutic exercise, and modalities in a lab before your externship.
Externship in a real clinic
Your training includes a 240-hour externship in a physical therapy or rehabilitation clinic before you graduate.
Work alongside licensed PTs
Physical therapy aides support licensed Physical Therapists — graduates have gone on to work in PT clinics, chiropractic offices, and rehab centers.
Multiple ways to pay
Every Physical Therapy Aide applicant is screened for federal aid, VA benefits, and workforce funding. Our Financial Aid Office reviews your options with you one-on-one.
Federal Aid (FAFSA)
Title IV federal financial aid. We help you complete the FAFSA at no cost.
VA / GI Bill®
Approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education. DOD Tuition Assistance also accepted.
Workforce Funding (WIB / WIOA)
Students referred by local Workforce agencies may receive reduced or fully-funded tuition. Ask admissions if you qualify.
Other paths
Worker's Compensation, Trade Adjustment Assistance, and periodic payment plans available.
From form to first day in 4 steps
Most students who submit the form today are in the next class. Here's the path:
Submit the form
Name and phone — takes 60 seconds.
Admissions call
An advisor follows up. Questions, start dates, funding eligibility.
Tour the campus
See the labs and meet faculty before enrolling.
Enroll & start
Sign agreement, finalize funding, arrive Day 1.
Learn from experienced rehabilitation faculty
Lydia Chavarria, CMT
Massage Therapist & PT Aide Instructor (Riverside)
Certified Massage Therapist — CAMTC · National Holistic Institute
The Physical Therapy Aide track at Riverside is taught by Lydia Chavarria, CMT, who brings hands-on clinical and rehabilitation experience to the classroom.
Riverside Main Campus
Campus details
Designation: Main
Address: 11801 Pierce St, Suite 100, Riverside, CA 92505
Phone: (888) 430-4224
VA approved: California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education
WIB partnership: Yes — eligible students may receive reduced tuition via WIB / WIOA partner agencies
What's on site
- Physical therapy exercise equipment
- Therapy tables and treatment stations
- Therapeutic modalities and supplies
- Anatomical models and charts
- Massage tables (shared lab)
- CPR / AED training equipment (required on campus)
Enrollment questions
When does the next class start?
Classes start regularly at the Riverside campus. Submit the form to get the next confirmed start date from admissions.
How long is the program?
The program is 800 clock hours, completed in about 9 months. It is taught on campus (residential).
What does a physical therapy aide do?
Physical therapy aides support licensed Physical Therapists — preparing treatment areas, helping patients move and perform exercises, and managing equipment and supplies.
Do I need a license?
Physical therapy aide roles do not require state licensure in California. You work under the supervision of licensed Physical Therapists.
How can I pay for the program?
Federal aid (FAFSA), GI Bill®, WIB / WIOA funding, and payment plans are available for eligible students. Contact admissions for current tuition information.
Ready to enroll at Riverside?
Submit the form and an admissions advisor will follow up during business hours.
►Speak with admissionsApply Now