What is the NPTE?

The National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) is a licensing examination for physical therapist and PT assistance of the United States. The exam is provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) in order to ensure the competency of PTs who wish to practice in the United States. Safe practice is important and the NPTE gauges the ability of PTs to render safe care. Basic competencies are looked into, so that that only those PTs with sufficient skills and knowledge can render service. This protects public interest.

The NPTE is developed and written by the FSBPT’s examination committee. Writers of the exam come from a variety of backgrounds in order to ensure that the examination is comprehensive.

The NPTE is administered through the computer, by Prometric. Everything is done through the computer, even registration. You can visit the FSBPT website to do this. An easier method, though, is to ask your review center to help you with the registration.

When you are ready to make the appointment for the test, you will have to be in contact with Prometric. This is the company that provides the actual examination. You must be ready to provide them with the following information:

Name of the examination (Physical Therapist NPTE, Physical Therapist Assistant NPTE)

•Where and when you would like to test (location of Prometric Center and approved test date)

•Your name

•Social Security Number or Alternate Identification Number

•Daytime telephone number

•Type of payment: credit card or direct debit

Preparing for the NPTE is not easy. You should make sure to check out the content outline, which tells you what topics will be covered by the exam. This is available online. Here is the link:

www.fsbpt.org/ForCandidatesAndLicensees/NPTE/ExamDevelopment

Despite having an outline to guide your review, it is not enough to ensure that you pass the NPTE, especially if you are not trained and educated in the United States. Remember that standards of care in the Philippines may be different from that of the US. Familiarization with what they considered the norm in terms of knowledge and skills is also important. Review and prepare for the NPTE well. 

The examination is multiple choice and computerized, so candidates must be the comfortable as well as knowledgeable in answering this question type.

Once you are done with the test, the FSBPT scores the examination and transmits the score to the licensing authority. Your final score is released by the FSBPT.

Good luck!