How to Become a Physical Therapist in Maryland (MD)

Physical therapists help patients get up and go again following illness or injury as a normal person does. The physical therapist has a profound understanding of how the human body works. The therapist develops a regime to put patient to rehabilitate and gain full use of their bodies. Primarily the treatment is done by physical therapeutic measures. PTs work closely with patients and clients to restore, maintain, and promote their overall fitness and wellness for healthier and more active lifestyles. Patient of all age is treated by the physical therapist right from infant to the very old. Physical Therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, athletic facilities, schools and private practices.

Association Group Responsible for providing license

In Maryland, the Maryland 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: 

Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
MetroExecutiveBuilding
4201 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD. 21215-2299

Application process

For people from United States

PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY EXAMINATION 

Application fee of $150

Eligibility: Post-graduation transcripts sent to the Board Office directly from the Registrar’s office.

FSBPT will notify the Maryland Board electronically of your registration.(Go online to www.fsbpt.org ) When your application is complete, the Board will notify FSBPT to authorize you to sit for the examination

Foreign Trained Applicants:

Applicants are not required to have a social security number to apply for licensure, but MUST have a social security number in order to be licensed.

Application fee of $150

If the applicant has received education outside US at a school the applicant must submit a credential evaluation. The evaluation must be prepared by a Board approved agency.

Board approved agencies are:

International Credentialing Associates (ICA) – www.icaworld.com

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

Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) – www.fccpt.org

International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. – www.icdeval.com

English competency: Evidence of oral competency in the English language. If not taught in English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language will be required (TOEFL).

Minimum cut marks should be

Writing – 24        Speaking – 26   Listening – 18    Reading – 21

NPTE Examination: Once the Board receives all the documents and approves it he/she would be requested to sit for the examination.

Instructions for Registering Online for National Physical Therapy Examinations

Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Prometric Testing Center fee must be paid directly to the Prometric Testing Center at the time of scheduling. Please visit www.prometric.com  for further details for place and fees.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST APPLICATION BY ENDORSEMENT 

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

The applicant should submit: 

Completed Application Form.

Copy of current out of state physical therapy license showing expiration date.

Verification of out of state license.

Post-graduation transcripts sent to the Board Office directly from the Registrar’s office.

Transfer of NPTE Scores to the Maryland Board. (Go online to www.fsbpt.org to request a transfer of scores).

Application fee of $150

Maryland Law (Jurisprudence) exam: This exam is mandatory for all the candidates to get a license of physical therapist in Maryland. The Maryland Jurisprudence Exam is an open book exam. It is to be completed and returned to this office. Passing score is 90%.

Verify Maryland Licensure: It can be viewed on the official website http://www.dhmh.maryland.gov/bphte/SitePages/Home.aspx

Information about jobs and salary

Job in State: As per data of May 2012 there are 4,090 jobs in MarylandState.

Salary: The average mean wage is $85,610. The bottom 10% is at $60,040 and the top 10% is earning a handsome amount of $115,680.

Links for reference

Official Website: http://www.dhmh.maryland.gov/bphte/SitePages/Home.aspx

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