FSBPT

FSBPT - The Federation Of State Boards Of Physical Therapy

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, also known as FSBPT, is responsible for promoting "safe and competent" physical therapy standards with the aim of protecting the public. In other words, the FSBPT tries to ensure that when you visit a physical therapist, you will receive high quality, safe and consistent care. This is achieved through laws and regulations that require practicing physical therapists to have achieved at least a certain minimum level of training and passed any exam required for the job.

National Physical Therapy Examination

The FSBPT creates and administers the National Physical Therapy Examination, also known as the NPTE. This exam consists of two separate tests, one for physical therapy assistants, and the other for physical therapists. Completion of the NPTE is required to practice in all 50 states, plus the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. By passing the exam, applicants show that they have achieved the minimum level of training required to be considered competent to practice and safe for the public. So what does the exam actually certify people to do?

Use of The National Exam

The first time you see a physical therapist, she or he will give you an examination to determine a plan of action to treat your particular condition. This could include improving functioning due to a disability, reducing pain, or improving movement and functioning of a body part or parts, among other things. Standard techniques are functional training and therapeutic exercise. There are many treatments that fall into these categories and a physical therapist will use the patient's particular needs to determine which will be appropriate and effective.

Becoming Licensed

You may also be treated by a physical therapy assistant. Like physical therapists, they are licensed by the FSBPT so they can work on clients under the supervision of a physical therapist. When choosing a physical therapist, you will probably be looking through therapists with the initials PT after their name. This means that the individual has become licensed to practice in her or his state by completing a training program from an accredited physical therapy program and received a degree, and then passing the NPTE, or National Physical Therapy Examination, administered by the FSBPT.

The requirements to work as a physical therapy assistant are similar. An individual must pass the NPTE for physical therapist assistants administered by the FSBPT after completing an accredited physical therapist assistant training program in order to become licensed or certified in the state in which they will work.    

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