NPTE

Overview

The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is the licensure exam for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the United States. It is run by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) and delivered on computer at Prometric test centres. Your state or other licensing jurisdiction decides whether you may sit it and what score it accepts.

There are two separate exams: the NPTE-PT for physical therapists and the NPTE-PTA for physical therapist assistants.

Who can apply

FSBPT lists these basic requirements for both levels:

• You must be at least 18 years old.

• You must hold a degree suitable for the exam level from a CAPTE-accredited programme, or education that a credentialing agency has approved as equivalent.

• You must not already have an active registration for the same exam level.

• You must have no pending security investigation or unresolved sanction.

• The licensing authority, or its designee, must approve you.

Individual jurisdictions can add stricter rules, so check with the board in the state where you want a licence.

Exam pattern

Questions are multiple choice. Some stand-alone questions include a graphic or video, and scenario-based questions with 2 to 5 linked questions each appear at the end of sections. One scheduled 15-minute break comes after the second section. Time taken for any unscheduled break comes out of your exam time.

Marking and results

Scores are reported on a scaled range of 200 to 800, and the passing standard is 600. There is no penalty for wrong answers; your score depends on the number you answer correctly. Because raw scores are converted to the scaled score, the number of correct answers needed for 600 can shift slightly between exam forms, generally by one to two questions.

Important dates

The exam is given four times a year, in January, April, July and October. Your score status appears on your FSBPT dashboard about five business days after your exam window ends, and the free score report with your scaled score is posted ten business days after your exam date.

Fees

As listed on the official site in 2026:

If your registration is not approved by the deadline, it closes and a $50 processing fee is deducted from your refund. Sending scores to extra jurisdictions beyond your chosen one costs$90 each.

How to apply

1. Complete your FSBPT profile. For graduates of CAPTE-accredited programmes the school usually creates it; others submit a survey at login. Allow about 3 business days for a non-CAPTE account.

2. Log in to your FSBPT dashboard and choose NPTE under Services.

3. Pay the FSBPT exam fee.

4. Wait for approval from your jurisdiction, if it requires one.

5. Receive your Authorization to Test letter by email.

6. Book your appointment with Prometric from the dashboard links.

Graduates of CAPTE programmes must have their graduation validated before registering. You can usually register up to 90 days before graduation, unless your jurisdiction restricts this.

After the exam

Your score is sent to your chosen jurisdiction at no charge. The free score report stays available for thirty days; after that you must buy an Individual Score Report to see it again. A paid Performance Feedback Report breaks your result down by content area, body system and section. FSBPT states that issued scores are final.

If you do not pass, you can register again about 15 days after the attempt, provided you have not reached a limit. The limits are:

• No more than three attempts in any 12 months; after three consecutive attempts you must skip at least one exam date.

• No more than six attempts in a lifetime at each exam level.

• No testing if you have twice scored below 400.

Preparation tips

FSBPT publishes a candidate handbook with sample questions, test-day procedures and a list of medical abbreviations. Read it before booking, and confirm your own jurisdiction's rules on early testing and attempt limits.