Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) work with physical therapists to help patients who have difficulty moving, from disabled children to injured athletes. Careers in physical therapy provide practical, hands-on work that can help change people's lives.

Michigan became the 48th state to regulate PTAs last week, according to the Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA). Licensure for PTAs ensures they will have the necessary education and training, and helps protect the public be enforcing standards, the organization says.

"Our efforts to ensure that physical therapy patients will receive the highest quality care from PTAs have paid off," said Michigan Physical Therapy Association president Kathleen "Jake" Jakubiak Kovacek. "We're grateful that our lawmakers recognized the importance of this legislation in patient protection."

The Michigan Board of Physical Therapy and the Michigan Department of Community Health will begin distributing the limited license to PTAs that qualify by the end of this year and a permanent license will follow later.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that nationally the employment outlook for PTAs is for 32% growth by 2016, a much faster rate than most other careers. Michigan predicts 29% growth over the same time period.