Physical Therapists

Achieving United States Licensure

Foreign educated physical therapists wishing to immigrate to the United States must pass two standardized tests required by US immigration. These are the:

•  National Physical Therapists Examination (NPTE)

•  Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based (TOEFL iBT)

Please note that the English Language exams are required before an Immigrant Visa application can be submitted.

Instructions on applying to write the NPTE.

To receive NPTE Certification from the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) is a three step process for all foreign educated physical therapists.

Step One – Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT )

All foreign educated physical therapists must complete the online application at Foreign Credentialing Commission of Physical Therapy (FCCPT) website . Please remember to check off that you are applying for the FCCPT Comprehensive Credentials Evaluation Certificate (Type I Certification). Please note the Type I Certification is required for Immigration and licensure purposes for all foreign educated physical therapists. The cost of the Type I Certification is $660.00US and takes approximately 8 – 12 weeks to review once all documents have been received by FCCPT.

Once your FCCPT Type I Certification Review is complete the FCCT will forward a copy of your Certification to the State Board of Nursing indicated on the application form and a copy to you. Please note that your FCCPT Type 1 Certificate is needed prior to your Immigrant Visa Petition to be submitted to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS).

Step Two – English Language Examinations

Apply and write the TOEFL iBT English Language Examinations. Please remember to request that your TOEFL iBT scores be forwarded directly from ETS to:

•  FCCPT - institution code 8164

•  The State Board of Physical Therapy that the applicant wants to be licensed in

 

The passing scores for the English Language Examinations are:

TOEFL iBT - Total 89 and 26 on the speaking section

Please note that your English results must be received prior to your FCCPT application being approved and having your certificate issued.

Step Three – National Physical Therapist Examination (NPTE)

First the applicant must apply with a state board of physical therapy and once they are found eligible and have registered with Prometric by paying the $285.00 NPTE exam fee, their Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter will be issued. Please note that the ATTs are only valid for 60 days and that the NPTE must be taken in this time frame. The NPTE examination can be taken at any one of the 300 Prometric testing centers through out United States and Canada .

Please note that a Social Security Number or an Alternate Identification Number (AIN) is required in order to write the FPTE.

NPTE Examination Details

The National Physical Therapist Examination (NPTE) is a 5 hour computerized examination consisting of 250 multiple choice questions. The passing score is a score of 600. Please click here to download the NPTE Candidate Handbook .

NPTE Examination Review Materials

Below is a list of review material that has been used by previous candidates:

•  On pages 18-20 of the NPTE Handbook you will find the NPTE examination outline .

•  On page 25 of the NPTE Handbook you will find sample questions.

•  The FSBPT offers an online PEAT (Practice Exam and Assessment Tool) course which consists of the same format and type of questions as the actual NPTE. The online PEAT course is available for 30 days and has a $70.00US Access Fee. For more information on the PEAT course please click here

•  The American Physical Therapist Association (APTA) has a list of review materials at their web site. Please click on the following link: APTA Review Materials

•  The FSBPT Helpful Tips Page

Total Licensure Fees

Please find a break down of the total licensure fees for physical therapists wanting to go to the US .

TOEFL iBT = $150.00

Type 1 Certification = $660.00

NPTE Exam = $285.00

Licensure = $250.00 *

 

The total fee to be licensed in the United States as a physical therapist is approximately $1345.00US. Please note that the above fees are subject to change with out notice. WorldWide HealthStaff Associates Ltd. does not have control over the fees required at each step on the process.

* Please note that the licensure fee for each state is different for more information on the exact fees for a particular state please visit the Physical Therapy Licensing directory .