Guide to the NPTE (Colorado)

The National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) was designed to establish and demonstrate competency in the field of Physical Therapy (Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants) and also to maintain public safety.  The purpose of this page is to provide information about the process of taking the NPTE for Physical Therapists to achieve licensure in the State of Colorado.

 

Disclaimer: Although efforts are made to ensure that the information on this page is kept updated, information provided by the cited sources is subject to change. Please visit fsbpt.org for the most up to date information on the NPTE.

 

Do I Qualify?

NOTE: Choosing a test date requires knowing the testing requirements for the state you choose to be licensed in (in this case Colorado). Although many requirements may be the same, this page only focuses on the requirements for the State of Colorado. Information on testing requirements for additional states can be found by searching through fsbpt.org (http://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/RegulatoryResources/LicensureReferenceGuide.aspx)

PDF of state by state requirements: http://www.visalaw.com/IMG/ptchart.pdf
 

  • Colorado Requirements from the PDF above

    • Applicant must have successfully completed a PT program that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or one that is substantially equivalent as determined by the director.  For foreign trained applicants, the following two requirements must have been met.
      • Education and training in PT equivalent to that required by accredited program in the U.S.
      • Possession of an active and valid license in good standing in the foreign country.
    • For licensure by endorsement (you have a NPTE score in a different state and need to transfer your license) the applicant must have graduated from an accredited program within the last 2 years and passed the licensing exam OR the applicant must have practiced as a licensed PT for at least 2 of the 5 years immediately preceding the application OR the applicant must have passed a licensing exam  in another jurisdiction and has completed an internship.
      • The applicant must also have credentials evaluated by either the FCCPT, IDC or IDA. A NPTE is required, however there are no other requirements to practice in CO.

 

 About the Exam:

 

  • Scoring

    • Score is established based on 200 questions
      • The other 50 questions are being pretested for potential use on future tests.  (you will not know which ones are being scored and which are being pretested)
    • Scores range from 200-800; greater than 600 is required to pass
    • In the 2012 exam year, 89% of first time test takers graduating from an accredited U.S. Physical Therapy school passed.
      • Accredited P.T. schools in the state of CO had an ultimate pass rate of 100%

 

  • Testing Location

    • Testing is administered at Prometric Testing Centers https://www.prometric.com/en-us/Pages/home.aspx
      • 4 Prometric Testing Centers in the State of Colorado
        • Note: candidates are not required to test in the jurisdiction for which they are applying for licensure.

 

  • Fees

    • Fees for the 2014 examination are not yet available

 

  • Important Dates/Deadlines 2014 (all deadlines are 11:59 EST)

http://www.fsbpt.org/SecondaryPages/ExamCandidates/NationalExam(NPTE)/RegistrationProcess/FutureTestDates.aspx
 
Test Date Registration and Payment Deadline Jurisdiction Approval Deadline Seats are Reserved for Candidates Until Scores Reported to Jurisdictions Free Candidate Report Available Online:
January 29 December 23 January 2 January 15 February 5 February 12
April 30 March 26 April 2 April 16 May 7 May 14
July 22&23 June 17 June 24 July 8 July 30 August 6
October 29 September 24 October 1 October 15 November 5 November 13

Registering (Step by Step):

  1. 1.    Find out what the jurisdiction requires

    1. The only test that is required for licensure in the state of Colorado is the NPTE. Some other states require a jurisprudence exam to be taken as well. If you seek to take the NPTE prior to graduation in another jurisdiction, you must take the jurisprudence test as well (if applicable) http://www.fsbpt.org/ExamCandidates/JurisprudenceExam.aspx

 

  1. 2.  Complete a State Application Form

    1. Obtain, review and complete application materials from the licensing authority of the jurisdiction in which you seek licensure. http://cdn.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=DORA-Reg%2FDORALayout&cid=1251632136013&pagename=CBONWrapper

CO Contact Information

 Address:

Colorado State Physical Therapy Board
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202-5146
 

Email: dora_physicaltherapyboard@state.co.us

Phone: (303)894-7796

Fax: (303)894-7764

 

Application:

http://cdn.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=DORA-Reg%2FDORALayout&cid=1251632136013&pagename=CBONWrapper

 

DORA State Physical Therapy Board:

http://cdn.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=DORA-Reg%2FDORALayout&cid=1251632299325&pagename=CBONWrapper

 

Colorado Practice Act:

http://cdn.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DORA-Reg/CBON/DORA/1251632318019

 

Legislative Link:

http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2013A/cslFrontPages.nsf/HomeSplash?OpenForm
 

  1. 3.  Register and Pay for the Exam

    1. Proceed to the link below and scroll down to “Register Now”
      https://www.fsbpt.org/OurServices/CandidateServices/ExamRegistrationPayment.aspx

 

  1. 4.  Request Special Testing Accomodations (if applicable)

    1. If you have a disability that is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you may request special testing accommodations at the time you register

                                                              i.      https://www.fsbpt.org/ExamCandidates/NationalExam(NPTE)/ADAAccommodations.aspx

 

  1. 5.  Obtain Jurisdiction Approval

    1. Once you have registered and paid for the exam, the licensing authority must approve your eligibility and notify FSBPT. They will then send you an “Authorization to Test” (ATT) letter containing instructions on how to schedule an appointment with a Prometric Testing Center.

    3. 6.  Schedule your Appointment

       

      1. Find a testing center near you using
        https://securereg3.prometric.com/siteselection.aspx

         

      2. Follow the directions at
        www.promettric.com/fsbpt

        in order to schedule an appointment. 

      3. NOTE:

                                                              i.      Seat availability is variable for each test and seats fill up quickly. It is acceptable to “sit” for the test outside of the jurisdiction you seek licensure.  If seats are not available near you, traveling to a location where seats are available is advised.

                                                           ii.      Schedule your appointment within the eligibility period. You must sit for the exam on the date indicated on you ATT letter. If you do not sit for the exam or withdraw your registration within your eligibility period, you will be removed from the eligibility list and must begin the registration process again.

 

Transferring Licensure to CO:

If you have taken the NPTE for another state, that state can “endorse” you to receive licensure in the State of Colorado although there is a fee associated. Visit http://cdn.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=DORA-Reg%2FDORALayout&cid=1251632136013&pagename=CBONWrapper and select “Application for Original License by Endorsement.” Once the new window opens click on the link that says “click here to open the document in this window.” You will need to print, fill out, and mail the form to

Division of Professions and Occupations
Office of Licensing- Physical Therapy
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202

Once you have completed this form, you must transfer your scores using https://www.fsbpt.org/Licensees/BecomeLicensedinAnotherState.aspx and clicking on the “Transfer  your scores” link.

Once on the page to transfer your scores, scroll down to “How to request a score transfer” and select either “Request online” or “Download form” and follow instructions.

 

You can check the status of your request by either selecting “Status of my request” under the “Next  steps” section or by contacting DORA at;

Address:

Colorado State Physical Therapy Board
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202-5146
Email: dora_physicaltherapyboard@state.co.us

Phone: (303)894-7796

Fax: (303)894-7764

 

 

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