A physical therapist assists the patient to rehabilitate from a surgery or illness or certain medical conditions. The physical therapist develops treatment plans for patients that increase mobility, gain strength, flexibility and reduce pain. From simple treatments like ankle sprain or a muscle pull in the neck that hinders a patient’s mobility to complex treatment like a person unable to move after a severe accident and is bedridden. Physical therapy is growing fast in the health care industry in US and across the world.
Association Group Responsible for providing license
In Colorado, the Colorado State Board of Physical Therapy issues licenses to Physical Therapists. The application process is dependent on whether you are new student, a licensed physical therapist in another state or country.
Application process
Original License by Examination
For people from United States
Information for new students who consider in becoming a Physical therapist
Take a graduation course from a CAPTE- accredited graduate physical therapy program with a bachelor’s degree.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY EXAMINATION
Submit proof of successfully completing a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
If the candidate graduated from a physical therapy program that was NOT CAPTE-accredited, the candidate must have the credentials reviewed by one of the credentialing. The report is to be sent directly to the office of Colorado State Board of Physical Therapy.
All the documents need to be submitted to
Division of Professions and Occupations
Office of Licensing—Physical Therapy
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
Application fees for Physical Therapist is $100
NPTE Exam: The Colorado State Board of Physical Therapy requires that applicants sit for and pass the appropriate National Physical Therapy Examinations (NPTE) as a prerequisite for licensure.
Where to register? Register with FSBPT online at http://www.fsbpt.org
Exam dates: Exam dates are available on the FSBPT website at www.fsbpt.org
SCHEDULING QUESTIONS
These questions are addressed to FSBPT. A listing of PrometricTestingCenter locations is also available on the Internet at www.prometric.com.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY ENDORSEMENT
For people from who hold an active license in another state or country and wish to apply for licensure in Colorado
Need any one proof
CAPTE – Graduation from a physical therapy program within the past two (2) years. If you have graduated from a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) within the past two years, have the FSBPT submit your Score Transfer Report directly to the office.
Non-CAPTE: If you graduated from a non-CAPTE school, contact one of the following credentialing agencies for a credential review: Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy, www.fccpt.org, or International Consultants of Delaware (ICD), www.icdel.com
Credentialing agencies:
Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy
124 West Street South
Alexandria, VA22314
Telephone: (703) 684-8406
E-mail:fccpt@fsbpt.org
Website: www.fccpt.org
International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
PO Box 8629
Philadelphia, PA19101
Telephone: (215) 222-8454 x 510
E-mail:icd@icdel.com
Website: www.icdel.com
If you have practiced as a physical therapist for at least two of the last five years
Internship: If you have passed an examination in another jurisdiction which is substantially equivalent to the NPTE or you can take and pass the NPTE.
Any other means approved by the Director
Application fees is $100
Verification of License: Candidates can verify the license issued to them in the official website, they can follow the link
https://www.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx
Other Information about the License
License Expiration Grace Period for New Applicants
All new applicants who are issued a license within 120 days of the upcoming renewal expiration date will be issued a license with the subsequent expiration date. For example, licenses issued between July 1, 2012 and October 31, 2012 will reflect a license expiration date of October 31, 2014.
All Colorado Physical Therapist licenses expire on October 31 of even-numbered years. The license must be renewed so that he/she can continue to practice
Information about jobs and salary
Job in State: As per data of May 2012 there are 4,030 jobs in ColoradoState.
Salary: The average mean wage is $73,080. The bottom 10% is at $50,330 and the top 10% is earning a handsome amount of $101,590
Links for reference
Official Website: http://www.dora.state.co.us/Physical-Therapy
Exam Websites: http://www.fsbpt.org , www.prometric.com