How do you get your PT license in Texas? It's worth researching since the average salary for a physical therapist in the state is an impressive $91k per year, with top PTs making as much as $130k. What's more, demand for physical therapists in Texas is projected to grow 20.4% from 2018 to 2028, with 1150 PT job openings annually throughout the state. And since we're in the business of helping physical therapists as best we can, we're sharing how to become licensed in the Lone Star state. Here are the basic steps:
Step 1: Earn your Physical Therapy degree
Step 2: Apply for a license with The Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
Step 3: Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
Step 4: Maintain and renew your license
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To become a licensed Physical Therapist in Texas, you must obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited school. Schools must be accredited through CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.) As of this writing, there are 19 CAPTE accredited schools in the state of Texas.
Typically, DPT programs take three to four years to complete. Most programs require a bachelor's degree for admission, with typical prerequisite classes being in the subjects of anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and physiology.
The Texas board of Physical Therapy Examiners regulates the licensing of physical therapists in the state. To obtain your PT license, you must first apply for it online. Before doing so, be prepared to provide the information shown below. You cannot save a partially completed online application and return to it later.
Applicant fees are non-refundable, so make sure you meet all the requirements before applying.
Next, you must submit all of the following information to the Board:
Once the Board receives all the above items for your application, you may schedule your National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) exam date through FSBPT. Take note of the NPTE eligibility requirements as well as the key dates and deadlines. Upon successful registration, you'll receive an emailed Authorization to Test letter (ATT) from FSBPT (it's also available online via your FSBPT account.) Your ATT letter will direct you to contact Prometric (the official testing center) to schedule a time to sit for the exam.
The test is a multiple-choice exam consisting of 250 questions. One of the best ways to prepare for the NPTE is by taking a practice exam.
After completing your official National Physical Therapy Exam, FSBPT will report your score to the Board one week after your test date. You can see if you passed the exam by logging into your FSBPT account.
To track your overall progress toward licensure, check the Board's Applicant Status Lookup page.
Your physical therapy license in Texas is valid for two years. To renew it, you must:
You may renew your license at any time in the three months before its expiration date with no change in your expiration date. You may renew online or by mail.
These are the steps required for obtaining and renewing your physical therapy license in Texas. For additional help, we recommend you contact the Texas Physical Therapy Association. They are an excellent resource for all PTs in the state. From all of us at Luna, we wish you the best of luck and look forward to a possible partnership with you in the future.