Important Dates and Deadlines for NPTE

For updates on possible changes, visit the Federation of State Boards of PT (FSBPT) website at www.fsbpt.org 

PTA – July 8 – 9, 2025 EXAM

• June 3, 2025 – Registration and Payment Deadline for NPTE (FSBPT)
• June 24, 2025 – Deadline to reserve seat with Prometric Testing Center
• July 16, 2025 – Scores reported to the PT Board

PT – July 29 – 30, 2025 EXAM

• June 24, 2025 – Registration and Payment Deadline for NPTE (FSBPT)
• July 15, 2025 – Deadline to reserve seat with Prometric Testing Center
• August 6, 2025 – Scores reported to the Board

 For additional testing dates and deadlines, click here.

The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (PT Board) is a participating state in the  Alternate Approval Pathway (AAP) for applicants from accredited programs for licensure by examination. The AAP separates the functions of exam registration/approval from licensure application/issuance. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) has the final authority to determine who is eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) with input from the schools, and the PT Board  concentrates on the requirements for issuing a license once the NPTE is passed by an applicant. 

The AAP does not affect the current procedure for processing foreign-educated applicants.

Steps for Applying for a License By Exam 

You must create an online account in order to start a new application.

Step-by-step instructions on how to Create an Online Account and how to Apply for a PT/PTA License by Exam can be found by clicking on “User Guides” from the homepage under “Looking For?”

To access the Online Licensing System, click here.

Step 1. Apply and pay the fee online.     

Temporary License: You may apply for an optional temporary license through your online account after your complete the Initial Application by Examination. Click the following link for more information about PT Temporary Licenses. 

You must provide your social security number (SSN) to obtain a license.  If you do not have an SSN, you must complete an SSN Statement stating that you do not have one and attach the form to your online Application by Examination.

Step 2. Complete the steps below in ANY order.  

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Contact the registrar at your school and have them submit an official transcript directly to the Board. The transcript must show at least active enrollment in the final semester of the PT or PTA program and must be sent directly to the Board by the registrar. Transcripts issued to and mailed by the student will not be accepted.

Transcripts in pdf form will be accepted if sent directly from the registrar’s office to exam@ptot.texas.gov.

Electronic transcripts sent by a third party processor are acceptable.

This applies only to graduates of CAPTE-accredited programs.  Foreign-educated applicants must submit an educational evaluation.                                                                              

PASSPORT-TYPE PHOTO: A recent 2 in. x 2 in. passport-type photo must be submitted either by mail or digitally.

By Mail: Computer-printed photos are not acceptable and will delay the processing of your application. Photos must be on standard photographic paper, with the printed name, date of birth, and signature of the applicant on the reverse in dark ink. For information regarding passport-type photo requirements, click here.               
                                                                                                                              By Email: An emailed digital photo is acceptable if it adheres to the U.S. Department of State specifications found here.                           

Email your digital photo as an attachment to exam@ptot.texas.gov. Include your name as it appears on your application and your birthdate in the text of the email.    

Do not submit a copy or your passport as this would not meet the requirement and will be rejected.

LETTER OF COMPLETION:                                                                                      For graduates of CAPTE-accredited programs Outside of Texas: A Letter of Completion form must be completed and submitted by your program director or school registrar. A Letter of Completion form received from the applicant will not be accepted.

For graduates of Texas CAPTE-accredited programs: Your program director will send a Letter of Completion with a list of graduating students directly to the Board. You do not need to send a separate Letter of Completion form.   

Does not apply to foreign-educated applicants.                                                                             

TEXAS JURISPRUDENCE ASSESSMENT MODULE (TX JAM): Take the online Jurisprudence Assessment Module. A score report will be sent directly to the Board by the FSBPT.                                                                                        

FINGERPRINTING: A Criminal Background Check via Fingerprinting is required prior to issuance of a license. See information linked from homepage for details.

You can track your progress toward licensure through your online account.

The Licensing Department is currently in its busy season as the majority of TX PT and PTA programs graduate in May. There has been an enormous number of documents submitted that are in queue to be processed into individual application accounts. 

Staff is working as expeditiously as possible but cannot provide a timeline to individual applicants for processing their documents or issuing their license.

Steps for Examination

Step 1. Register to take the NPTE through FSBPT.

For graduates of CAPTE-accredited programs: Once your school has verified that you are on track to graduate to the FSBPT, you can register to take the NPTE. 

For foreign-educated applicants: Once you have met all of the licensure requirements except taking and passing the NPTE, the Board will notify FSBPT that you are eligible to test.

Step 2. Schedule your exam.

After the FSBPT has verified your eligibility, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email with instructions on reserving your seat with a Prometric Testing Center.

Step 3. Take the exam.

Once you take the exam, the FSBPT will report your score to the PT Board one week after the test date. Find out whether you passed or failed at that time by logging into your FSBPT candidate account.  

Test Accommodations: 

If you require accommodations on the national exam, you need to request accommodations at the time that you register to take the NPTE. To request accommodations, email examregistration@fsbpt.org to receive forms and instructions. More information on testing accommodations is available through the FSBPT’s website. 

Mailing Address:

Important Phone Numbers:

PT Board – 512-305-6900
FSBPT – 703-739-9420
Prometric Testing Center – 800-796-9857