Licensure is required of all physical therapist assistants. You must first pass
an exam prior to receiving licensure.
Q: What is the purpose of licensure?
A: The intent of licensure is to protect the public from practice by incompetent
providers. Typically, a licensing board assesses the minimal competency necessary to
perform at the entry level of practice.
Q: Do all jurisdictions require licensure for PTs and PTAs?
A: All jurisdictions require licensure for PTs. However, the type of
regulations for PTAs varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, including licensure,
certification, and registration. Additionally, in some jurisdictions,
PTAs are not
regulated. Contact the individual jurisdiction licensing agencies for details.
Q: Is the same national examination given in all jurisdictions?
A: Yes. The licensure examination is a uniform examination used by all 50
states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico.
Q: Is the national examination the only measure licensing boards use to
assess competency of physical therapy providers?
A: No, the national examination is only one part of the evaluation processes used
by licensing boards. Each jurisdiction, at its discretion, may supplement the
examination with other requirements such as an oral or practical examination or a period
of clinical practice prior to licensure.
Q: Is APTA responsible for licensure of PTs and PTAs in the United
States?
A: No. The responsibility for licensure rests solely with the jurisdiction
and the licensing agencies in accordance with the authority established by each
jurisdiction's licensure laws.
Q: Are there separate examinations for PTs and PTAs?
A: Yes. The PT examination is designed to determine the entry-level
competence of a candidate who has graduated from an accredited school of physical therapy
or an equivalent international program. The PTA examination is designed to determine
the entry-level competence of a candidate who has met the academic or equivalent
requirements set by each jurisdiction for physical therapist assistants.
Q: How do PT and PTA candidates apply for the licensure examination?
A: Candidates should contact the licensing agency in the jurisdiction in which
they want to practice. Applications need to filed early, sometimes up to 90 days in
advance of the desired examination date.
Q: If the PT or a PTA wishes to practice in another
jurisdiction, does he
or she have to apply for a license in that jurisdiction?
A: Yes. Every jurisdiction has its own requirements for licensure for those
who already hold a license in another jurisdiction. Because these requirements can
vary greatly, prospective applicants should contact the jurisdiction directly.
