Guide to the NPTE (Pennsylvania)

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 Pennsylvania.

 

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 Pennsylvania). Although many requirements may be the same, this page only focuses on the requirements for the State of Pennsylvania. 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
 

  • Pennsylvania Requirements from the PDF above

    • Applicant’s credentials must be evaluated by an approved agency.
    • Applicants must have successfully completed at least a baccalaureate degree in PT from an accredited agency. In addition, any foreign-trained applicant must have received education in physical therapy that is equivalent to that offered in the U.S. and must complete a one year internship in Pennsylvania.
    • A jurisprudence exam is not required at this time.

 

 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.

 

  • Testing Location

    • Testing is administered at Prometric Testing Centers https://www.prometric.com/en-us/Pages/home.aspx
      • 7 Prometric Testing Centers in the State of Pennsylvania
        • 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 Pennsylvania 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.
    2. Application link

 

PA Contact Information

 Address:

Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy

P.O. BOX 2649

Harrisburg, PA 17105

Phone: 717-783-7134

Fax: 717-787-7769

E-mail:  ST-PHYSICAL@state.pa.us

 

 

 

Application:

 

 

DORA State Physical Therapy Board:

 

 

Pennsylvania Practice Act:

 

 

Legislative Link:

 
 

  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 PA:

1.     Visit FSBPT.org.

2.     Click on Licensees at the top of the page

3.     On the left side of the page click on “Become Licensed in Another State.”

4.     Scroll down until you see a link that says “Ask your Licensing authority for requirements”.

5.     Scroll down to Pennsylvania in the list and click on the link that says “website.”  This will take you to the website for the Pennsylvania Department of State.

6.     On the left side of the page click on “Licensure Information” under the State Board of Physical Therapy title.

7.     In the middle of the page click on the link “Application: PT & PTA Licensure by Endorsement” to download the PDF of the form needed to transfer your license from another state to Pennsylvania through the process of endorsement. (Pennsylvania’s license transfer process is done through “Endorsement.”  This means that you have passed the NPTE and hold a license in another state.  The state you hold a license in “Endorses” that you have passed the NPTE.)

8.     Download the form and print it.  Fill it out and return your completed packet to: State Board of Physical Therapy, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

9.     After completing your Licensure Endorsement Packet check the Pennsylvania Department of State webpage for the addition of a Jurisprudence Exam.  Currently as of October 2013 Pennsylvania does not require a Jurisprudence Exam.  Continue to the next step.   Be sure to confirm with Pennsylvania Department of State website for the most up to date changes.

10.  Return to the FSBPT website and click on “Transfer your Scores”

11. Scroll down and click on the link that says, “ FSBPT’s online processing system.  This is an online form to transfer your scores to a new jurisdiction. Note there is a fee associated with a score transfer: $80.00 for the first transfer.

12. Fill out the form and wait.

13. You can check the progress of your request by clicking on the link, “status of my request” at the bottom of the page you requested the score transfer.

14. Check the status of your transfer by contacting the Pennsylvania Department of State

mail: Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy

P.O. Box 2649,

Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649.

Email: st-physical@pa.gov.

phone: (717) 783-7134

Fax: (717) 787-7769.

 

 

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