A Historical Perspective
Physical therapists formed their first professional association in 1921, called the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association. Led by President Mary McMillan, an executive committee of elected officers governed the Association, which included 274 charter members. By the end of the 1930s, the Association changed its name to the American Physiotherapy Association. Men were admitted, and membership grew to just under 1,000.
With the advent of World War II and a nationwide polio epidemic during the 1940s and 1950s, physical therapists were in greater demand than ever before. The Association's membership swelled to 8,000, and the number of physical therapy education programs across the US increased from 16 to 39.
By the late 1940s, the Association had changed its name to the American Physical Therapy Association, hired a full-time staff, and opened its first office in New York City. A House of Delegates representing chapter members was established to set APTA policies. The House elected a Board of Directors, previously the Executive Committee, to manage the Association. In addition, Sections were created to promote and develop specific objectives of the profession. The first two Sections were the School and Private Practice sections.
In the 1960s, APTA membership reached almost 15,000, and the number of education programs nationwide grew to 52. Now headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, APTA represents approximately 76,000 members throughout the United States. A national professional organization, APTA's goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. Currently 199 institutions offer physical therapy education programs and 234 institutions offer physical therapist assistant education programs in the United States. These numbers will change significantly in the coming years to encompas developing PT programs and 43 developing PTA programms
Physical therapists formed their first professional association in 1921, called the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association. Led by President Mary McMillan, an executive committee of elected officers governed the Association, which included 274 charter members. By the end of the 1930s, the Association changed its name to the American Physiotherapy Association. Men were admitted, and membership grew to just under 1,000.
With the advent of World War II and a nationwide polio epidemic during the 1940s and 1950s, physical therapists were in greater demand than ever before. The Association's membership swelled to 8,000, and the number of physical therapy education programs across the US increased from 16 to 39.
By the late 1940s, the Association had changed its name to the American Physical Therapy Association, hired a full-time staff, and opened its first office in New York City. A House of Delegates representing chapter members was established to set APTA policies. The House elected a Board of Directors, previously the Executive Committee, to manage the Association. In addition, Sections were created to promote and develop specific objectives of the profession. The first two Sections were the School and Private Practice sections.
In the 1960s, APTA membership reached almost 15,000, and the number of education programs nationwide grew to 52. Now headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, APTA represents approximately 76,000 members throughout the United States. A national professional organization, APTA's goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. Currently 199 institutions offer physical therapy education programs and 234 institutions offer physical therapist assistant education programs in the United States. These numbers will change significantly in the coming years to encompas developing PT programs and 43 developing PTA programms
About the National Physical Therapy Examination
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administers the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), the examination that every graduate of a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant education program must pass to become a licensed physical therapist or licensed/certified physical therapist assistant (or to regain licensure/certification if lapsed) in the United States (US). Foreign-educated candidates who wish to become licensed in the US must also take and pass this examination.
The NPTE is a computer-administered examination. The physical therapist licensure examination has five sections each with 50 questions. Of the 250 multiple choice questions, only 200 are scored. The other 50 questions are being pretested to see if they meet the standards to be included in future exams. The physical therapist assistant licensure examination has four sections with a total of 200 multiple choice questions. As in the physical therapist examination, 50 of these questions are being pre-tested and are not scored.
There is one scheduled 15 minute break during the examination. A candidate may take up to three unscheduled breaks between sections, but these breaks use time that is allotted for test-taking. Additional information about the examinations can be found at www.fsbpt.org
The NPTE is a computer-administered examination. The physical therapist licensure examination has five sections each with 50 questions. Of the 250 multiple choice questions, only 200 are scored. The other 50 questions are being pretested to see if they meet the standards to be included in future exams. The physical therapist assistant licensure examination has four sections with a total of 200 multiple choice questions. As in the physical therapist examination, 50 of these questions are being pre-tested and are not scored.
There is one scheduled 15 minute break during the examination. A candidate may take up to three unscheduled breaks between sections, but these breaks use time that is allotted for test-taking. Additional information about the examinations can be found at www.fsbpt.org
SCORING
The scoring ranges from 200-800. The minimum passing score is 600 for both the PT and PTA exam.
pass rate
In the 2011 exam year, passing rates for both examinations were:
- PT Exam: 89% for first-time test takers graduating from accredited US PT schools
- PTA Exam: 85% for first-time test takers graduating from accredited US PTA schools
location
- Testing is administered at Prometric Testing Centers. Candidates are not required to test in the jurisdiction for which they are applying for licensure
Fees
Fees for the 2014 examination cycle will be posted here when they become available.DatesThe NPTE has fixed-date testing for both the PT and PTA examination.
DATES
PT NPTE 2013
January 29, 2013
April 30, 2013
July 24, 2013
October 30, 2013
View the entire 2013 PT schedule.
PTA NPTE 2013
January 8, 2013
April 8, 2013
July 10, 2013
October 9, 2013
View the entire 2013 PTA schedule.
Get updates and view the schedule.
Guidelines and TipsGeneral information on registration and eligibility is available on the FSBPT Web site. Registration information and requirements vary by state. It is important to realize that a candidate must first meet eligibility requirements of the jurisdiction to which he or she is applying for licensure before scheduling the exam. Information by state can be located on the FSBPT Licensing Authorities web page.
Tip: There is no penalty for answering a question incorrectly—answer all questions even if unsure of the answer.
The FSBPT offers access to two 200-question practice examinations through Practice Examination and Assessment Tool (PEAT) for both the PT and the PTA exam. The cost is $90 for 30 days of online access with an option for a 15 day extension for $45.
Fees for the 2014 examination cycle will be posted here when they become available.DatesThe NPTE has fixed-date testing for both the PT and PTA examination.
DATES
PT NPTE 2013
January 29, 2013
April 30, 2013
July 24, 2013
October 30, 2013
View the entire 2013 PT schedule.
PTA NPTE 2013
January 8, 2013
April 8, 2013
July 10, 2013
October 9, 2013
View the entire 2013 PTA schedule.
Get updates and view the schedule.
Guidelines and TipsGeneral information on registration and eligibility is available on the FSBPT Web site. Registration information and requirements vary by state. It is important to realize that a candidate must first meet eligibility requirements of the jurisdiction to which he or she is applying for licensure before scheduling the exam. Information by state can be located on the FSBPT Licensing Authorities web page.
Tip: There is no penalty for answering a question incorrectly—answer all questions even if unsure of the answer.
The FSBPT offers access to two 200-question practice examinations through Practice Examination and Assessment Tool (PEAT) for both the PT and the PTA exam. The cost is $90 for 30 days of online access with an option for a 15 day extension for $45.