Practicing in USA with Foreign Education
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In order to practice Physical Therapy in the United States (US), a license is required. A license is specific to the state for which the Physical Therapist is going to practice and it ensures a minimum competency level to safely provide Physical Therapy care.
The most common path to obtaining a license is by graduating from a CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education) accredited Physical Therapy program and then passing the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam). However, there are provisions for obtaining a license if the Physical Therapist was educated outside of the United States.[1]
Additionally, there are US Citizenship and Immigration Services requirements for foreign educated Physical Therapists, who are not US citizens, to be able to work in the US.
Permission to Work[edit | edit source]
Registration Process[edit | edit source]
- Prior to registration you must complete 30 additional credits. Can be attained via CLEP (College-Level Examination Program).
- The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) encompasses 53 jurisdictions.
- Each jurisdiction has an individual vetting process .
- Apply online via FCCPT (Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy) for a type 1 review (for Irish/British wishing to seek visa)
- Permission to work in the USA must be sought via the US citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Licence to practice is obtained by sitting the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam). The exam can be sat in any jurisdiction regardless of where you plan to work.
Requirements[edit | edit source]
- UCD must release transcripts to the FCCPT
- Proof of licence to practice from the ISCP.
- Copy of your degree (English version) signed by notary public (solicitor)
- Attestation form outlining all information provided by you in correct and a passport photo, also notarized.
Job Opportunities[edit | edit source]
At present over 3,000 Physical Therapy jobs advertised on the APTA website.
Useful Websites[edit | edit source]
- http://www.apta.org/
- http://www.fccpt.org/
- http://clep.collegeboard.org/
- http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
- http://www.ptjobs.com/
- Information on NPTE’s: http://www.fsbpt.org
- Requirements of each jurisdiction: http://www.visalaw.com/IMG/ptchart.pdf
- ↑ American Physical Therapy Association. About PT and PTA Licensure. Available at https://www.apta.org/your-practice/licensure/pt-and-pta-licensure (accessed on 18 Feb, 2023)