National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE)
Credential: National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE)
Credentialing Agency: Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
Renewal Period: Varies by State
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) develops, maintains, and administers the National Physical Therapy Examinations (NPTE) for Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA). The NPTE program provides examination services to the regulatory authorities charged with the regulation of physical therapist assistants and offers a common element in the evaluation of candidates so that standards will be comparable from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Each licensing authority has established its own criteria for eligibility to sit for the PTA examinations. Applicants should review the materials distributed by the licensing authority to which they intend to apply for licensure or certification, in order to determine if they have met that authority's eligibility requirements. In some jurisdictions, national examination is accepted by state licensing authorities as a part of the evaluation process for licensing PTAs along with jurisprudence exam. The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) examination is intended to assess basic entry-level competence of the candidate who has graduated from an accredited program for physical therapist assistants or has met equivalent requirements set by a licensing authority for physical therapist assistants. FSBPT administers the computer-based examinations through Prometric.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE)
The following DOD Civilian Occupations provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:
The following Federal Occupations provide training and/or experience that contribute to attaining this credential:
| Federal Occupation | Related As | |
|---|---|---|
| 0636 Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Series |  Most |
The following civilian occupations are related to this credential:
| Civilian Job | Bright Outlook | Registered Apprenticeship | Local Salary Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Aides |  Bright Outlook |
 find local salary |
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| Occupational Therapy Assistants | Bright Outlook |
find local salary |
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| Physical Therapist Aides | Bright Outlook |
 Apprenticeship |
find local salary |
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| Physical Therapist Assistants | Bright Outlook |
find local salary |
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience
- Education: Associates
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period: Varies by State
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
124 West Street South
Third Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 739-9420
Fax: (703) 739-9421
Contact Page
Eligibility REQUIREMENTS
Candidates applying for FSBPT Physical Therapy Assistant (NPTAE) exam must meet the FSBPT requirements and eligibility requirements of the state in which they seek licensure.
FSBPT Requirements:
Must meet one of the following education requirements:
- Have a degree appropriate for the exam level from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited institution, or
- Be within 90 days of receiving a degree from a CAPTE accredited institution; or
- Have an education that is deemed substantially equivalent.
Candidates must be approved by the licensing authority (board) in the state or jurisdiction where they intend to be licensed.
Jurisdiction Requirements
State or licensing authority requires:
- Candidate to be a graduate of or graduating from a PT or PTA program that meets the accreditation standards of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or equivalent.
For a complete list of jurisdiction requirements visit the website for the state in which you are seeking licensure. A quick overview of requirements in the 50 states and the District of Columbia can be obtained from the licensure reference guide.
Other REQUIREMENTS
The National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE) credential has the following other requirements:
- FSBPT requires that canddiates be at least 18 years of age.
Written Exam
- Physical Therapy Data Collection (20.7%)
- Diseases/Conditions the Impact Effective Treatment (28%)
- Interventions (30.7%)
- Equipment & Devices; Therapeutic Modalities (14.7%)
- Safety & Protection; Professional Responsibilities; Research (6%)
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE) examination:
RECERTIFICATION
National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE)
Renewal Period: Varies by State
Additional considerations for the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE) include:
National Physical Therapy Exam Registration Process
To ensure smooth registration for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTAE) candidates should follow the step-by-step registration process below:
- Find out what your jurisdiction requires. Some states require that you take a jurisprudence exam before you take the NPTAE.
- Complete a State Application Form. Obtain application materials from the licensing authority of the jurisdiction in which you seek licensure.
- Register and pay for the exam using FSBPT's Exam Services website.
- Request special testing accommodations if you have a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the time you register.
- Obtain jurisdiction approval. The jurisdiction licensing authority will approve eligibility and notify FSBPT. Upon receiving notification, FSBPT sends an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter containing instructions on how to schedule an appointment with Prometric.
State License Application Process
To apply for a state license, follow the steps outlined below:
- Contact your licensing authority. Find out what your jurisdiction requires.
- Apply for a license.
- Get licensing authority approval. Once your jurisdiction approves your licensure application, you may register for the NPTE exam and/or the jurisprudence exam using the FSBPT online processing system.
Become Licensed in another State
To become a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant in another state follow steps below:
- Ask your licensing authority for requirements
- Find out if you need to take the jurisprudence exam
- Transfer your scores
Additional detials can be obtained from the FSBPT website.
- Lifetime Limit
Candidates will be able to take the exam a maximum of 6 times. An individual can take the NPTE for PTs 6 times and also take the NPTE for PTAs 6 times if he or she is otherwise qualified to do so. Candidates will still be allowed up to 3 attempts per year but now will have a 6 time total limit. As of January 1, 2016, any candidate who has already tested 6 times will no longer be allowed to test unless a jurisdiction chooses to appeal this policy on a specific candidate’s behalf. - Low Score Limit
Candidates who receive two very low scores on the exam, currently defined as performing at or close to chance level (scale scores 400 and below), will not be allowed to test again. Candidates who receive a very low score on the exam are notified that their performance is so far away from the minimal competence level that they need to engage in serious remediation, like enrolling in another PT educational program, before attempting the NPTE again and that another score that is very low (400 or below) may result in further action by FSBPT. As January 1, 2016, candidates who receive a score of 400 or less will be notified that a second score of 400 or less will result in a lifetime ban. No scores prior to January 1, 2016 will be considered, which means all candidates will have a “clean slate” with regard to this eligibility requirement.
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