NPTE is the acronym for the National Physical Therapy Exam. This examination is supervised by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Physical therapy and physical therapy assistants are both required to take this national examination for licensure in almost all states within the United States. Some states also require that physical therapy and physical therapy assistants pass a state jurisprudence examination satisfactorily in addition to the NPTE. Individual states also have additional requirements such as credentialing certification and exams that cover state laws governing physical therapy practice. An excellent resource that outlines state by state requirements for physical therapy candidates can be found at http://www.visalaw.com/IMG/ptchart.pdf. This document also outlines requirements for foreign trained physical therapists and the requirements of each state concerning their licensure. There is contact information listed for each state board of physical therapy as well. Most state boards have a website listed that can also give applicants specific information about requirements and fees. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website also has a listing of state boards with contact information. The fee to take the NPTE as of January 1, 2005 is $350.
There are several steps involved with obtaining state and national licensure. They include:
-Obtain registration materials from the licensing authority, usually the state board of physical therapy, of the jurisdiction in which a candidate is seeking licensure.
-Complete all state requirements outlined in the information and registration packet.
-Return completed registration materials and payment to the licensing authority as instructed in the packet provided by the state board of physical therapy.
-If the licensing agency approves the candidate’s application, they will notify FSBPT.
-FSBPT will send the candidate an Authorization to Test letter with instructions on scheduling an appointment with Prometric. Prometric is the official testing service for FSBPT.
-Candidates are required to schedule an appointment for examination with Prometric by calling the number included in the Authorization to Test letter.
-Candidates will need to choose a Prometric site that is conveniently located to test at within the 60-day eligibility period indicated on the Authorization to Test letter. Candidates must test within this period of eligibility or they will have to start the registration process for the NPTE over again.
The NPTE exams are comprised of multiple-choice questions covering the major areas of physical therapy. The physical therapy exam contains 250 questions while the physical therapy assistant exam consists of 200 items. Candidates are allowed five hours to take the physical therapy exam and four hours for the physical therapy assistant exam. The tests are designed to assess the competency and knowledge of entry-level physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The questions are designed by actual physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The exams are computer-based so candidates will sit at a computer for testing. As of July 1996, all jurisdiction licensing authorities recognize a score of 600 or above on the NPTE as a passing score and a score below 600 as a failing score. The Prometric fee for the NPTE for physical therapist candidates is $65. The Prometric fee to take the physical therapist assistant exam is $50.
If a candidate doesn’t pass the NPTE examination, they will need to go through the registration process from the beginning as outlined previously in this article. Jurisdiction vary in their regulations concerning how often the examination can be retaken. The FSBPT only allows candidates to take the exam a maximum of three times in a twelve-month period. Some jurisdictions may also regulate a waiting period between examinations.
State and national physical therapist and physical therapist assistant license renewal requirements vary by state. State licensing authorities will sometimes notify licensees several months before their licenses expire, but it’s ultimately the responsibility of the licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to follow renewal guidelines. PT’s and PTA’s can be assessed late fees and even be subject to disciplinary action if they continue to practice after their license has expired.
You stated the fee to take the NPTE as of January 2005 was $350.00. I checked to see if the fee has gone up and it has but not by much. It’s only gone up $20.00 more. That’s great. Thanks for the info.