How to Become a Physical Therapist in Florida (FL)

Physical therapists assist patients to regain mobility, strength and flexibility following illness, injury, surgery or general health conditions. Physical Therapists work closely with patients to restore, maintain, and promote their overall fitness and health. Patient of all age is treated by the physical therapist right from new born babies to the very old. Patients may include accident victims, people who have low back pain, fractures, neck sprain, ankle injuries, head injuries, arthritis, and heart disease. The physical therapist develops a treatment plan that is best for the patient to restore his/her normalcy.

Association Group Responsible for providing license

In Florida, the Florida 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.

Application process

For people from United States

PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY EXAMINATION

Eligibility: Applicant must be a graduate of a CAPTE accredited physical therapy educational program, approved by the Florida 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: Florida Board of Physical Therapy no longer requires graduates of foreign trained programs to submit proof of English proficiency as a licensure requirement.

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. This requirement applies even if the applicant has received a transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy from a U.S. school. The evaluation must be prepared by a Board approved agency. At present these agencies are authorized.

International Credentialing Associates (ICA) – (727) 549-8555

International Education Research Foundation, Inc.(IERF) –www.ierf.org

Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) – (703) 684-8406

International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. – (215) 222-8454 ext. 603

Instructions for Registering Online for National Physical Therapy Examinations

Florida 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 Florida 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.

Examination Fees: $180

Verify Florida Licensure: It can be viewed on the official website http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/physical/index.html

PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY ENDORSEMENT

For applicants from other states who hold a current license in another jurisdiction.

Complete and submit your application online

Contact the school’s registrar and request the official transcripts or letter of completion be mailed to the board office. You will not be approved to sit for either exam until the office has this documentation.

Request your NPTE score transfer from the FSBPT at www.fsbpt.net/pt.

Register with the FSBPT for the NPTE and/or the Florida laws and rules exam here. The Board suggests registering as soon as you complete your online application.

Endorsement Fees: $180

Florida Law and Rules (Jurisprudence) exam: This exam is mandatory for all the candidates to get a license of physical therapist in Florida. When one is ready to take the Florida Laws and Rules Exam (Jurisprudence) exam, register and pay for the exam at www.fsbpt.org

Candidate Information Booklet for the Physical Therapy Laws & Rules Computer Based Testing Examination may be obtained on our website at: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/physical/pt_statutes.htm

Other Information about the exam

Q: What happens if the candidate fails the exam?

An applicant who fails the NPTE and/or Florida laws & rules examinations must submit a Retake Application and the application fees 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 11,820 jobs in FloridaState.

Salary: The average mean wage is $82,770. The bottom 10% is at $53,490 and the top 10% is earning a handsome amount of $117,040.

Links for reference

Official Website: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/physical/index.html

Exam Websites: http://www.fsbpt.org , www.prometric.com/fsbpt