Key Takeaways
- The NPTE-PT consists of 225 multiple-choice questions divided into 5 sections of 45 questions each
- Total testing time is 5 hours (5.5 hours including breaks between sections)
- The passing score is 600 on a scaled score range of 200-800
- First-time pass rate is approximately 89-91% for graduates of CAPTE-accredited DPT programs
- Exam fees total approximately $585.30 ($485 FSBPT fee + $100.30 Prometric fee)
- Testing is available only at Prometric test centers — no remote testing option is available
- Candidates have a maximum of 6 lifetime attempts to pass the NPTE
- The exam tests clinical decision-making across the patient/client management model, not rote memorization
NPTE Physical Therapy Exam Overview
The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE-PT) is the standardized licensure exam for physical therapists in the United States, developed and administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Passing the NPTE is required to obtain a physical therapy license in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Exam Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Administering Body | FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy) |
| Format | 225 multiple-choice questions (5 sections x 45 questions) |
| Time Limit | 5 hours testing time (5.5 hours total with breaks) |
| Passing Score | 600 on a scale of 200-800 |
| Exam Fees | $485 (FSBPT) + $100.30 (Prometric) = ~$585.30 total |
| Testing Vendor | Prometric test centers only |
| Remote Testing | NOT available |
| First-Time Pass Rate | ~89-91% |
| Question Types | Multiple-choice (single best answer) |
| Lifetime Attempts | 6 maximum |
| Retake Limit | 3 attempts per 12-month period |
| Results | Available within 3-5 business days via FSBPT account |
Exam Structure and Timing
The NPTE is divided into 5 sections, each containing 45 questions. You have 60 minutes per section to complete the questions. Between sections, you receive optional breaks. The total appointment time at Prometric is approximately 5.5 hours, including check-in, a tutorial, the five sections, breaks, and a post-exam survey.
Unlike adaptive testing formats, the NPTE uses a linear, fixed-form format. This means:
- All candidates receive the same number of questions (225 total, though approximately 25 are unscored pilot items)
- You can go back and change answers within each section
- You cannot return to a previous section once you move to the next one
- Only approximately 200 questions count toward your score; the remaining 25 pilot items are being tested for future exams but are not identified
Scoring
The NPTE uses a scaled scoring system to ensure fairness across different exam forms:
- Raw scores are converted to a scaled score ranging from 200 to 800
- The passing score is 600
- You need to answer approximately 63-67% of scored items correctly to pass (this varies by exam form difficulty)
- If you do not pass, your score report provides performance feedback in each content area
- Feedback categories indicate whether you were Above the Criterion, Near the Criterion, or Below the Criterion in each domain
Who Takes the NPTE?
The NPTE-PT is taken by graduates of CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. As of 2024, there are over 260 accredited DPT programs in the United States. The exam is also available for internationally educated physical therapists who have completed the FCCPT credentialing process.
The physical therapy profession includes over 310,000 licensed PTs in the United States, with a median salary of $101,020 and projected job growth of 14% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
How many total questions are on the NPTE-PT exam?
What is the passing score on the NPTE-PT?
Which of the following is TRUE about the NPTE exam format?
The NPTE is administered exclusively at _____ test centers, with no remote testing option available.
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