A woman in her late 60s who is trying to bend her knee after a knee operation. A young man after a soccer match has an ankle sprain and cannot walk. A young lady in a car accident has damaged the neck muscles and cannot look towards the right direction. All of them need a physical therapist in their course of rehabilitation. Physical therapist is a rehabilitation profession with the intention of diagnosing and treating people with health-related conditions or injury that hinders their mobility as a normal person does. Physical therapist evaluates his patient and makes a plan that is best for the patient.
Association Group Responsible for providing license
In Arizona, the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy issues licenses to Physical Therapists (AZSBPT). The application process is dependent on whether you are new student, a licensed physical therapist in another state or country.
Application process
For people from Arizona State
Information for new students who consider in becoming a Physical therapist
The candidate should get a bachelor’s degree from a university with a focus on science based subject.
After that the candidate should take either of the physical therapist degree from a CAPTE-accredited education program.
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree
Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) or
Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT) Degree
PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY EXAMINATION
Citizenship: One has to give proof of U.S. Citizenship or Alien status of the individual.
NPTE Exam: When one is ready to take the NPTE exam, register and pay for the exam at www.fsbpt.org
Exam Fees: $260.00 Application fee for 12 or more months for an application submitted between September 1 of an even numbered year and August 31 of the following odd numbered year.
$190.00 Application fee for less then 12 months for an application submitted after September 1 of odd numbered year(2011, 2013)to August 31 of even numbered year(2012, 2014).
Verify Arizona Licensure: It can be viewed on the website www.ptboard.az.gov (Top of Home Page).
For people from other states
PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY ENDORSEMENT
This is basically for physical therapist applicant who has already passed the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and who has at least one valid unrestricted physical therapist license from another jurisdiction of the United States.
Citizenship: One has to give proof of U.S. Citizenship or Alien status of the individual, and, if that individual is living in the State of Arizona at time of application.
For people from other countries
Foreign Educated Applicant / Graduate of a Program Not Accredited by the U.S. Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (Non-CAPTE)
If English is not the candidate’s native language : Submit official documentation indicating passing scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the test of Written English (TWE) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) examinations.
Credential Evaluation completed and sent directly to the Board by the credentialing agency using Coursework Evaluation Tool #5 (CWT5)
National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE): If the candidate has PASSED the NPTE, the score must be transferred at your request from the Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) website: http://www.fsbpt.org directly to AZSBPT.
If the candidate has NOT PASSED the NPTE the Board will determine approval to sit for the exam when the application is complete enough to submit the request to the Board.
AZLAW (Jurisprudence) exam: This exam is mandatory for all the candidates to get a license of physical therapist in Arizona. When one is ready to take the AZLAW (Jurisprudence) exam, register and pay for the exam at www.fsbpt.org
Fees:
$50 Jurisprudence Examination fee payable on-line to the FSBPT.
$25 Prometric testing fee payable to the PrometricTestingCenter at the time of scheduling.
Other Information about the exam
Q: What happens if the candidate fails the AZLAW exam?
The candidate will receive a letter from AZSBPT briefing the next steps. The candidate may take the exam twice before having to reapply with a new application and new application fee. FSBPT requires that the candidate submit the exam fee with each and every registration. Prometric requires the same with their testing site fee. FSBPT will allow you to retake the exam 3 times within one year beginning with the first exam.
Information about jobs and salary
Job in State: As per data of May 2012 there are 4,040 jobs in ArizonaState.
Salary: The average mean wage is $81,870. The bottom 10% is at $56,360 and the top 10% is earning a handsome amount of $114,810
Links for reference
Official Website: http://www.ptboard.az.gov
Exam Websites: http://www.fsbpt.org, www.prometric.com/fsbpt