NPTE Licensure Process

Becoming a licensed physical therapist in the United States requires completing a series of steps that involve both the FSBPT (the national exam body) and your state physical therapy licensing board. Understanding this process early helps you plan your timeline and avoid delays.

Step-by-Step Licensure Process

Step 1: Graduate from a CAPTE-Accredited DPT Program

• You must hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• As of 2024, there are over 260 accredited DPT programs in the United States
• Internationally educated PTs must complete the FCCPT (Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy) evaluation process

Step 2: Apply to Your State Physical Therapy Board

• Contact the licensing board in the state where you wish to practice
• Submit your application with required documentation (transcripts, background check, etc.)
• Each state has unique requirements — some require a jurisprudence exam, fingerprinting, or additional documentation
• Your state board will notify FSBPT that you are approved to test

Step 3: Register with FSBPT

• Create an account at FSBPT.org
• Complete the NPTE registration and pay the $485 FSBPT exam fee
• Your registration is matched with your state board approval

Step 4: Receive Your Authorization to Test (ATT)

• Once your state board approval and FSBPT registration are processed, you receive an ATT letter via email
• The ATT is valid for 60 days — you must schedule and take the exam within this window
• If your ATT expires, you must reapply through your state board

Step 5: Schedule at Prometric

• Visit prometric.com/FSBPT or call Prometric to schedule
• Select your preferred Prometric test center, date, and time
• Pay the $100.30 Prometric scheduling fee
• Bring valid government-issued photo ID on exam day

Step 6: Pass the NPTE

• Achieve a scaled score of 600 or higher out of 800
• Results are available within 3-5 business days through your FSBPT account
• Scores are automatically reported to your state licensing board

Step 7: Complete State Licensure

• After passing the NPTE, your state board completes the licensure process
• Some states require additional steps such as a jurisprudence exam on state practice act regulations
• Once licensed, you can legally practice physical therapy in that state

Important Timelines and Policies

Re-Examination Policy

If you do not pass on your first attempt:

• You may retake the exam up to 3 times in a 12-month period
• You have a lifetime maximum of 6 attempts
• Each retake requires a new state board application, FSBPT registration ($485), and Prometric fee ($100.30)
• Review your score report carefully — it shows performance in each content area to guide your study plan
• After 6 failures, you are permanently ineligible to take the NPTE