Differential diagnosis is pivotal for physical therapists to comprehend and consider when evaluating a patient. Understanding this content enhances our profession’s ability to expand into primary care settings. Up to 30 percent of patient complaints in a primary care setting are musculoskeletal conditions and our profession is well positioned to treat these patients. Expansion into primary care will improve the musculoskeletal health of our patients across the country. This session will discuss an innovative approach our profession is taking to move towards primary care physical therapy. The session will walk the attendee through the history of how our profession got to this point and provide a view of where our profession is going in this dynamic health care environment. This session will bring the importance of differential diagnosis and primary care in our profession. The need for this session is vital for our profession and fits within our profession’s strategic plan of “Expand(ing) access to physical therapy in primary care settings and employer health and wellness programs.” Attendees will walk away from this session understanding why physical therapy is suited for primary care and potentially students and clinicians will consider moving towards working in this area of practice.