Physical therapists assist patients to regain mobility, strength and flexibility following illness, injury, surgery or general health conditions. A physical therapist examines, treats, instructs the patients how to alleviate the pain from disease or injury. Licensed physical therapists practice in a varied range of healthcare settings including hospitals, nursing homes, schools and private practices.
Association Group Responsible for providing license
In Georgia, the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy is responsible to issue license to physical therapists. The application process is dependent on whether you are new student, a licensed physical therapist in another state or country.
Mailing Address
Application/Payment and Physical Address
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217-3858
(478) 207-2440
Application process
For people from United States
Information for new students who consider in becoming a Physical therapist
Students should complete a graduation program of physical therapy education which is approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). At present as of 12/21/2013 number of active Licensees is 5,918
PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY EXAMINATION
Eligibility: Applicant must be a graduate of a CAPTE accredited physical therapy educational program, approved by the Georgia Board of Physical Therapy.
The Board should receive a degree in physical therapy from an institution that has been approved for training by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Foreign Trained Applicants:
If the applicant has received education outside US at a school which is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), the applicant must submit a credential evaluation. The evaluation must be prepared by a Board approved agency.
International Credentialing Associates (ICA) – (727) 549-8555 – www.icaworld.com
International Education Research Foundation, Inc.(IERF) – www.ierf.org
Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) –www.fccpt.org
Instructions for Registering Online for National Physical Therapy Examinations
Georgia Board of Physical Therapy is using the FSBT website to allow candidates to register online for NPTE. The website the candidate will follow to get registered is https://www.fsbpt.net/pt.
Once the Georgia Board determines the eligibility based on the educational qualification and other guidelines it will be intimated that candidate can appear for the online examination. The FSBT will send the candidate an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter.
The ATT letter would contain the all important information about the exam schedules
Where to give the exam: The PrometricTestingCenter fee must be paid directly to the PrometricTestingCenter at the time of scheduling. Please visit www.prometric.com for further details for place and fees.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION FEE: $75
Verify Georgia Licensure: It can be viewed on the official website http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/pt/
PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY ENDORSEMENT
For applicants from other states who hold a current license in another jurisdiction.
Eligibility: The applicant must hold a current license in good standing from another state where he/she have practiced for the past two or more years in order to endorse into Georgia
The candidate must send the official transcripts or letter of completion by mail to the board office.
Request your NPTE score transfer from the FSBPT at www.fsbpt.net/pt.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: Applicants must provide verification of 30 hours of continuing education.
Georgia Law (Jurisprudence) exam: This exam is mandatory for all the candidates to get a license of physical therapist in Georgia. The Board strives to assure that licensed physical therapists practice physical therapy competently within the limits of the law. When one is ready to take the Georgia Laws and Rules Exam (Jurisprudence) exam, register and pay for the exam at www.fsbpt.org
Additional requirements for Foreign Applicants or non-CAPTE candidates:
Applicants who have not graduated from a CAPTE accredited program or an English speaking physical therapy program must take and receive a passing score on three (3) Language Proficiency Examinations to include TSE, TOEFL and TWE before sitting for the NPTE.
All foreign-educated applicants must pass a Board-approved three month traineeship before license issuance consideration.
Q: What happens if the candidate fails the exam?
An applicant who fails the NPTE and/or Georgia laws & rules examinations must submit an application to the Board of Physical Therapy in order to schedule a retake examination.
Information about jobs and salary
Job in State: As per data of May 2012 there are 4,350 jobs in GeorgiaState.
Salary: The average mean wage is $ 80,210. The bottom 10% is at $58,990 and the top 10% is earning a fairly good amount of $106,660.
Links for reference
Official Website: http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/pt/
Exam Websites: http://www.fsbpt.org , www.prometric.com/fsbpt