Can a physical therapy aide become a physical therapy assistant?

The correct term is physical therapist assistant and you must have a license. No such term as an assistant physical therapist. To be a p.t.a. you must earn your applied science associate degree (2 year) from an accredited college ( [http://www.apta.org www.apta.org] will show you colleges) and pass your boards. Below a p.t.a is a physical therapy aide (usually in nursing home "unskilled" on the job training), as physical therapy technicians are no longer legal due to "abusing" them (cheaper without a license). P.ta.'s work under the supervision of a physical therapist. Good pay for short amount of school however you are limited to that job specifically as it is a "technical" job and not really any easily accessible bridging programs (unless you live in Ohio or California) to become a physical therapist if you so want to later.