Practicing in USA with Foreign Education

Registration Process

• Prior to registration you must complete 30 additional credits.
• 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

• 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

• At present over 3,000 Physical Therapy jobs advertised on the APTA website.

Basic grade initial salary

• $60,000 on average ($45,000 or €34,000 after tax)

Cost

FCCPT registration	$750
Individual state fee’s	$60-$245
APTA registration (optional)	$295
NPTE exam (until Jan 1st 2013)	$350
NPTE exam (after Jan 1st 2013)	$400

Useful websites

• 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