California Physical Therapy Association

What California Physical Therapy Association does

The California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) is the California chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), operating as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1977 and headquartered in Sacramento. It serves 9,800+ members across California — including physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and PT/PTA students — and is the third-largest PT association globally. The organization is structured around 12 geographic districts and 3 special interest groups (Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, Pediatric, and CA Student), with an 8-person staff delivering continuing education, an annual conference drawing roughly 600 attendees, advocacy representation, practice resources, awards programs, and grassroots mobilization. Affiliated entities include the CAL-PT-FUND (a 501(c)(3) research-grants vehicle awarding up to $30K annually), the CAL-PT-PAC political action committee, and integration with APTA national credentialing pathways such as the Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) and Core Ambassador program.

CPTA's product surface is dominated by member-facing services rather than technology: CE courses (priced at $40 for members / $85 for non-members), the annual conference ("The Future of Movement" 2026 at DoubleTree San Jose, September 19-20, 2026), the thinkTANK interactive discussion series, district-level advocacy, the MoveCalifornia grassroots PR and branding toolkit, and the tiered awards/sponsorship pyramid (Diamond $10K+, Gold $5K+, Silver $2,500+). Underlying technology is delivered through a third-party association management platform (YourMembership.com) handling member authentication, event registration, online store, and course delivery; CPTA does not develop proprietary technology. The MoveCalifornia campaign additionally extends CPTA's surface from member services into consumer/public-facing branding.

Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues (PT $540/yr, PTA $346/yr, with discounted student tiers), conference registration, continuing education course fees, advertising and tiered sponsorships, donations, CAL-PT-PAC contributions, merchandise, and CAL-PT-FUND research-grant funding. The unit economics are characteristic of a mid-sized professional association — high gross margin on dues and CE, modest event-driven concentration, and a diversified base of ~9,800 individual members with no enterprise anchor customers. Financials (revenue, surplus/deficit, fundraising totals) are not publicly disclosed.

Name

California Physical Therapy Association

Legal name

California Physical Therapy Association

Website

https://ccapta.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) is a nonprofit professional membership organization and APTA chapter serving 9,800+ physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students across California through continuing education, an annual conference, legislative advocacy, and 12 geographic districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Primary revenue stream from PT and PTA membership dues. PT dues are $540/year (~$1.47/day), PTA dues are $346/year (~$0.94/day). Chapter dues collected through APTA membership.
2. Annual Conference: Revenue from CPTA Annual Conference registration fees ranging $275-$550 for members, plus exhibitor booth fees, sponsorships, and event tickets (Barrels & Brews, PAC Dinner). Conference at DoubleTree San Jose Sept 19-20, 2026.
3. Continuing Education Courses: Webinars and courses priced at $40 for APTA members and $85 for non-members. Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) courses. Revenue from course registrations and CEU processing.
4. Advertising & Business Partnerships: Digital advertising (eBlasts, banner ads in PT Notes newsletter), print ads in PT Interventions newsletter, conference program ads, exhibitor fees, and Business Partner program with Bronze/Silver/Gold tiers. Association Revenue Partners manages some advertising.
5. Online Store: Merchandise sales including apparel (t-shirts, sweatshirts), drinkware (Camelbak mugs/bottles), branded items (lapel pins, license plate frames, cycling jerseys). Category sales include annual conference, advertisements, event tickets, sponsorships, webinars.
6. Donations & Grants: CAL-PT-FUND (501(c)(3)) accepts donations and provides research grants up to $30,000 annually to California PT researchers. Friend of the FUND program with Diamond ($10,000+), Platinum ($1,000+), Gold ($500-$999), Silver ($250-$499), Bronze ($100-$249) tiers.
7. Political Action Committee: CAL-PT-PAC collects donations to support candidates for California Legislature who understand PT issues. Donor levels: Golden Grizzly ($5,000), Double Grizzly ($2,000-$4,999), Grizzly ($1,000), 2600 Club ($500-$999), Advocate ($20-$499).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) is a nonprofit professional membership association and a chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association that serves more than 9,800 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and PT/PTA students in California. It sells annual memberships, continuing education courses and webinars, an annual conference, research grants through the affiliated CAL-PT-FUND, advocacy programs through the CAL-PT-PAC, recruitment services via a Career Center, and branded merchandise through an online store. Membership, education, advocacy, and professional development are its fundamental value exchanges with members.

Product overview

The California Physical Therapy Association operates as a professional membership organization offering a portfolio of products and services centered on education, advocacy, and professional development for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in California. The core offerings include continuing education courses (both virtual and in-person), an annual conference, and the Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program. Supporting services include the CAL-PT-FUND research grant program, CAL-PT-PAC political action committee, a career center, online store, and awards recognition program. The organization also provides governance structure through 12 districts and special interest groups, professional affairs resources covering payment, practice, and advocacy, and public relations materials including the Move*California branding campaign. CPTA's website platform powered by YourMembership provides member authentication, event registration, and online course delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CPTA Membership Program Annual professional membership for licensed PTs ($540/year), PTAs ($346/year), and PT/PTA students, delivered through APTA's chapter pathway. Members receive CE course discounts, reduced Annual Conference rates, Career Center access, district and SIG participation, advocacy representation, publications, and member-only resources.
• CPTA Continuing Education Courses Virtual and in-person continuing education courses and webinars priced at $40 for APTA members and $85 for non-members, delivering 2 contact hours (0.2 CEUs) per session. Topics include AI in rehabilitation, pain neuroscience, wearable technology, fall prevention, and clinical communication, delivered via Zoom.
• CPTA Annual Conference Two-day in-person educational conference with 19 sessions, up to 20.5 contact hours, an exhibitor hall, networking events (Barrels & Brews, PAC Dinner, 5K Run/Walk), poster presentations, and awards. Registration ranges $200-$599 depending on membership tier and timing.
• Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) APTA-recognized CCIP Level 1 course delivered online via Zoom, enabling PTs and PTAs to become credentialed clinical instructors for student preceptorships. Attendees must complete the APTA online application first.
• thinkTANK Discussions Interactive discussion events addressing controversial topics in physical therapy practice, modeled after the Private Practice Section Graham Session, fostering open professional dialogue among CPTA members.
• CAL-PT-FUND Research Grants Up to $30,000 in annual research grants awarded by the CAL-PT-FUND (501(c)(3) established 1977) to CPTA members advancing evidence-based physical therapy practice in California.
• CAL-PT-PAC Political Action Committee Political action committee collecting donations (Advocate $20-$499 through Golden Grizzly $5,000) to support California legislators who understand physical therapy scope-of-practice and payment issues.
• Career Center Recruitment marketplace connecting California PT and PTA job seekers with employers, powered by Association Career Network. Available to members and the general public, providing job search and employer posting tools.
• CPTA Online Store E-commerce store offering branded merchandise (apparel, drinkware, lapel pins, license plate frames, cycling jerseys) plus event tickets, sponsorships, and digital advertisement purchases for members and supporters.
• CPTA Awards Program Recognition awards program including Royce P. Noland Award of Merit (established 1986), James B. McKillip Leadership Award, Charles Magistro Service Award, Clarence W. Hultgren CPTA Service Award, Rising Star Award, Publication Awards, Legislator of the Year Award, and Steve Watson Inspirational Award.
• Move*California Public Relations Campaign Branding toolkit, logos, flyers, press releases, and grassroots PR campaign materials for members and the public, including bus advertisements, radio ads, and consumer video under the slogan 'Physical Therapists Improve the Way You Move'.
• Districts and Special Interest Groups Twelve geographic districts (Golden Gate, Greater Los Angeles, Inland Counties, Long Beach/South Bay, Northeast, Orange County, Redwood Empire, San Diego, San Gabriel Valley, San Joaquin Valley, San Jose, Tricounties) and three special interest groups (COMPTSIG, PEDSIG, CA Student SIG) providing local events, networking, and specialty programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• Third largest PT association globally with 9,800+ members representing significant market presence
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPTA is a Chapter of APTA. APTA provides national affiliation, membership integration (CPTA members join via APTA), national advocacy, Core Ambassador program connecting students across states, residency/fellowship accreditation, and shared CEU standards. APTA provides PT licensing board directory links and student assembly governance.
• YourMembership.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationAssociation management software provider powering CPTA website. Provides member login, event registration, online store, membership database, email marketing, career center, and document management. Handles payment processing and SSL encryption.
• Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState licensing board regulating PT/PTA licensure in California. Sets continuing competency standards requiring 30 contact hours per renewal period. CPTA links to PTBC resources and complaint filing process.
• Association Revenue PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner managing website and eNewsletter advertising sales. Contact Christina Womack for pricing and inquiries on digital advertising placements.
• Business Partners (Advertisers/Sponsors)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThanked Business Partners including: Barral Institute, MedBridge, Jane App, Mulligan Concept, IPNFA, Practice Promotions, G&A Partners, Simas & Associates. Bronze/Silver/Gold tiered program for advertising and sponsorship.
• iGive.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline shopping portal where CAL-PT-FUND receives donations (up to 25%) from purchases at 680+ brand name stores. Free membership for supporters.
• Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPTA-recognized CI Education and Credentialing Program. CPTA provides CCIP Level 1 courses (online via Zoom) enabling PTs and PTAs to become certified clinical instructors. Attendees must complete APTA online application first.
• Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPTA service allowing DPT applicants to use single application for multiple programs. CPTA links to PTCAS for prospective student guidance.
• DoubleTree by Hilton San JoseminorOthersConference venue for CPTA Annual Conference September 19-20, 2026. Provides group hotel rates ($169-$209), conference space, and parking. Group reservation deadline August 27, 2026.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CCAPTA
• Xx.com/CPTAtweets
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-physical-therapy-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Physical Therapy Association