A good physical therapist cover letter opens with a specific reason for applying, backs it with one or two concrete wins, and closes with a clear next step. Copy this and swap in your details.
I'm applying for the DPT position at your clinic. After six years in outpatient orthopedic and sports rehab, I'm looking for a team where evidence-based care is the default, not the exception.
I manage a 12–14 patient/day caseload across post-op knee, shoulder, and back cases with a 96% plan-of-care completion rate and 4.9 patient satisfaction. My favorite recent project: launching a return-to-run program for postpartum patients — 60+ graduates in year one.
Your clinic's public commitment to outcome measurement is why I'm applying specifically here.
Dry needling certified. I'd welcome a chance to observe a shift and meet the team.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Tips for this letter
Address a real person if you can find one — 'Dear Hiring Team' is fine as a fallback.
Keep it under 300 words. Recruiters skim.
Never restate the resume — pick one story and go deep.
End with a specific next step, not 'I look forward to hearing from you.'
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a cover letter in 2026?
For applications with a real human review — yes. It's the #1 tie-breaker between similar candidates. For pure ATS pipelines, it matters less.
How long should the letter be?
3 short paragraphs, 250–300 words total. One page maximum. Anything longer gets skimmed.
Should I mention the company by name?
Always. A cover letter that could be sent to anyone gets ignored by everyone.