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Licensing Process for Internationally Educated Physical Therapists

FCCPT APPLICATION

In Rhode Island, foreign trained physical therapists must fulfill the requirements of the FCCPT before being eligible to apply for licensing in Rhode Island. You must follow the steps as well as meet the educational and registration requirements as detailed below and on the FCCPT website.

• Complete the online application by logging in to the application system, described on the Foreign Credentialing Commision on Physical Therapy website. If you have had a previous application, do not open a new account, rather LOGIN using your old file number. If you do not remember this file number please contact us at Help@fccpt.org ..
• A complete, notarized Attestation page with one (1) recent passport-type photograph;
• A copy of your physical therapy education certificate(s), diploma(s) or degree(s) that has been notarized as a "True copy of the original;"
• A copy of your secondary education certificate(s) or diploma(s) that has been notarized as a "True copy of the original;"
• A non-refundable application fee $465.00 made payable to FCCPT. Payment can be made via credit card (Visa or MasterCard) in the online application. If you do not wish to pay via Credit card, only a certified check or money order will be accepted for payment. Please do not send personal checks. Payment must arrive within 90 days of the application.
• FCCPT recommends that applicants supply their own address, phone and e-mail address under personal history.
• When applying online please enter all information. After an online application has been entered the applicant may login and change address and phone information. All other changes should be sent via Fax with signature to FCCPT at 703-684-8715
• If another person will represent you, you must provide to FCCPT the Information Release Form. This person can obtain information about the process and progress of your file; however reports will be released to you at the address you provided.

An application is complete when:

1. The Attestation form is notarized, and includes the required photograph;
2. All fees have been paid by credit card, cashier's check or money order;
3. Official transcripts including syllabi/course descriptions/course content outlines have been received, from the appropriate institution, for your physical therapy education;
4. Notarized copies of certificates, diplomas or degrees have been received for your secondary and physical therapy education;
5. Verification of licensure has been received;
6. English Language Proficiency test scores are provided

This process takes approximately 16 weeks. You may visit the following site for more information. www.fccpt.org

TOEFL EXAM

You must now take and pass the TOEFL exam. For the state of RI, as of March, 2008, the cost for the exam was $150 and it was administered in Providence and in Bristol.

In order to be considered exempt from the English proficiency requirement, you must meet all of the following criteria: Native language is English; country of nursing education was in Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago; language of instruction was English; language of texts was English. You may visit the following site for more info. www.ets.org

You must have the results of this exam forwarded to the FCCPT.

Congratulations on passing the TOEFL!!

NPTE National Physical Therapy Examination

After the FCCPT has reviewed your application and TOEFL results, they will decide if you are an eligible applicant. Once you are an eligible applicant, you will receive a letter of approval from the FCCPT. Now you must prepare for the NPTE. You can apply to take the NPTE on the following website. www.fsbpt.org

Congratulations on passing the NPTE!!

RI Rules and Regulations for Licensing Physical Therapists

You must now submit your application for review by the RI Board Dept of Health.

PA License is conferred by the State of Rhode Island!!