In a stunning development, the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) today announced that it immediately has suspended National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) testing for all graduates of schools located in Egypt, India, Pakistan and the Philippines. India and the Philippines are, by far, the two largest suppliers of foreign-trained Physical Therapists. Graduates from schools in these countries will not be allowed to sit for US examinations for at least one year and probably longer.
The new exam, which is just for the foreign-trained, is to be called the NPTE-YRLY. FSBPT expects to launch the NPTE-YRLY in the fall of 2011. The FSBPT intends to offer the NPTE-YRLY only once per year, at select test sites to be identified at a later date.
The FSBPT website says that this action is a result of “ongoing security breaches by significant numbers of graduates of physical therapy schools from certain foreign countries.” Two years ago, the FSBPT eliminated the exam from being offered overseas. Today’s action disallows the exam from being offered in the United States as well.
FSBPT’s actions are the result of “compelling” evidence that reflects “systematic and methodical sharing and distribution of recalled questions by significant numbers of graduates of programs in the affected countries, as well as several exam preparation companies specifically targeted to these graduates.” FSBPT’s website says several exam preparation companies engaged in a variety of illegal actions, including widespread sharing of hundreds of live test items.
MU will pass along more news as we receive it.
My fiance is pursuing her MASTERS in PHYSICAL therapy in UK and she was looking for appearing for NYC licensure after FEBRUARY 2011...
ReplyDeleteMy question is WILL SHE BE ABLE TO APPEAR BASED ON HER MASTERS DEGREE from UK or SHE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AS SHE IN INDIAN ???
The problem is nationality of students or the DEGREE which they are holding.
WHAT IS THE GOOD TIME FOR HER TO APPEAR FOR EXAMS NOW ?
Yes. She should be fine since her Masters will be from the UK. That having been said, the FSBPT policy is in flux right now, so stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteDo you think this rule will change...coz i have completed my master in PT from India..??and i am in US rite now...
ReplyDeleteHi Terr-
ReplyDeleteIt's a little early to speculate as to if/when/how the rule will change. I would not expect anything to change in the next few months. It could change after that.
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ReplyDeleteIs it true that people who have passed this year has to do the exam again??? that's some thing new that i just heard.
ReplyDeletethanks a lot for ure answer as well...Chris!
ReplyDeletehey,I did MASTERS FOR UK . when I CALLED fsbpt THEY SAID no, i CANT TAKE npte.
ReplyDeleteHey malvika....
ReplyDeleteIs your Bachlors From INDIA ?? And what was the reason given by FSBPT guys ?? I think they are deciding on the nationality and Bachlors rather than the masters or any other Degree from any other nation...
My wife has done her Bachelor's from India in PT. She is with me on a H1B dependent visa. How can she start working in US once she clears her NPTE exam?
ReplyDeletePhysical therapy is very big in UK. The British love those treatment so PT is a good career over their. chiropractor melbourne
ReplyDeleteGraduates from the Philippines and India were, of course, shocked about the news. These two countries are the largest suppliers of foreign-trained PTs. It's worrying since they will not be allowed to sit for US examinations for at least one year and probably longer.
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If thorough investigation was conducted and due process was given to the review center, it's just right to suspend the NPTE tests. I still hope that the suspension will be lifted next year. We all depend on some of their graduates who provide us quality service.
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