Foreign-Trained Applicant Information
The application is active for one year from the date of submission
after
which it will be destroyed if it has not been completed, including the furnishing of all documents
and records that are requested. File to be destroyed per the state functional record retention
schedule.
Note: Applicants without a social security number at the time of application should
consider waiting to submit an application until after it has been received. A license cannot be granted
without a social security number.
NORTH CAROLINA PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE ACT
"§ 90-270.97. Licensure of foreign-trained physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.
Any person
who has been trained as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant in a foreign country and
desires to be licensed under this Article and who:
- (1) Is of good moral character;
-
(2) Holds a diploma from an educational program for physical therapists or physical therapist
assistants
approved by the Board:
-
(3) Submits documentary evidence to the Board of completion of a course of instruction substantially
equivalent to that obtained by an applicant for licensure under G.S. 90-270.95; and
-
(4) Demonstrates satisfactory proof of proficiency in the English language;
may make application on a form furnished by the Board for examination as a foreign-trained physical
therapist or physical therapist assistant. At the time of making such application, the applicant
shall
pay
to the secretary-treasurer of the Board the fee prescribed by the Board, no portion of which shall
be
returned."
- The NC PT Practice Act requires that a PTA applicant must be a graduate of a PTA educational
program;
therefore, a PT graduate is not eligible for licensure as a PTA in North Carolina unless the PT has
also
graduated from a PTA educational program.
- A foreign-trained physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who plans to practice in North
Carolina must have a current North Carolina license prior to beginning employment in the State.
North
Carolina does not have temporary licensure.
NC G.S.§ 93B-14- The applicant shall furnish the Board with
his/her
social security
number.
NC BOARD OF PT EXAMINERS BOARD RULES
-
(a) This Rule shall apply to a physical therapist who has graduated from a program
located
outside the United States that has
not been accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education
(CAPTE)
or
its successor, in
accordance with G.S. 90-270.95(2), and does not hold an active license in another state
or
territory of the United States.
-
(b) All application forms and supporting documents shall be completed in English or
accompanied
by an English translation.
-
(c) For the applicant's educational credential to be determined substantially equivalent
to
that
obtained by an applicant for
licensure pursuant to G.S. 90-270.95(2), the applicant shall meet the standards of the
Federation's most recent Coursework
Tool (CWT) for Physical Therapists at
https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/RegulatoryResources/CourseworkTools(CWT).aspx. These
coursework tools are
incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions. Individuals
wishing
to
obtain a copy may call the
Federation at 703-299-3100 or download a copy from the Federation's website at no cost.
Copies
of the coursework tools are
on file at the Division located at 8300 Health Park Suite 233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and are
available for public inspection
during regular business hours.
-
(d) The applicant shall make arrangements to have the credentials evaluated by the
Foreign
Credentialing Commission on
Physical Therapy or a service that has a physical therapist consultant on staff and that
is
authorized to use the Federation's
CWTs for physical therapists referred to in Paragraph (c) of this Rule. The Board shall
review
an applicant's educational
program and shall consider the findings of the credentialing service.
-
(e) The applicant shall provide the following information to the Board:
-
(1) proof that the applicant has demonstrated English language proficiency by
meeting the
most
recent Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score requirement as defined by the
Federation. This
test
is
incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.
Individuals wishing
to
register
for the TOEFL shall contact Examination Testing Service
(http://www.ets.org/toefl/). The
cost of
this
examination is posted on the ETS website. The TOEFL is an examination that is
owned by ETS
and
is not
available for public review; or
-
(2) documentation for exemption pursuant to 8 CFR 212.15
(http://www.uscis.gov/). 8 CFR
212.15
is
incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.
Individuals wishing
to
obtain a
copy at no cost may call the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
National
Customer
Service
Center at 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD) toll free. A copy of 8 CFR
212.15 is on
file at
the
Division located at 8300 Health Park Suite 233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and is
available for
public
inspection
during regular business hours.
-
(f) An applicant for licensure shall provide a complete set of fingerprints at the
applicant's
expense in order to obtain a
criminal history record check in accordance with G.S. 90-270.96 and G.S. 143B-964.
History Note:
Authority G.S. 90-270.92; 90-270.95; 90-270.97; 90-270.98; 143B-964;
150B-21.6(2);
Eff. December 30, 1985;
Amended Eff. November 1, 1991; August 1, 1991;
Temporary Amendment Eff. July 21, 1995, for a period of 180 days or until the permanent
Rule
becomes
effective, whichever is sooner;
Amended Eff. February 1, 2015; December 1, 2006; November 1, 2004; August 1, 2002;
August 1,
1998;
February 1, 1996; October 1, 1995;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff.
May 1,
2018;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2020; September 1, 2019; November 1, 2018
-
(a) This Rule shall apply to a physical therapist who has graduated from a program
located
outside the United States that has
not been accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education
(CAPTE)
or
its successor, in
accordance with G.S. 90-270.95(2), and holds an active physical therapist license in
another
state or territory of the United
States.
-
(b) All application forms and supporting documents shall be completed in English or
accompanied
by an English translation.
-
(c) For the applicant's educational credentials to be determined substantially
equivalent to
an
educational program accredited
pursuant to G.S. 90-270.95(2), the applicant shall meet the standards of the
Federation's
Coursework Tool (CWT)
https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/Regulatory Resources/CourseworkTools(CWT).aspx for
the
applicant's year of
graduation. This coursework tool is incorporated by reference, including subsequent
amendments
and editions. Individuals
wishing to obtain a copy may call the Federation at 703-299-3100 or download a copy from
the
Federation's website at no
cost. A copy of the coursework tool is on file at the Division located at 8300 Health
Park
Suite
233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and is
available for public inspection during regular business hours.
-
(d) The applicant shall make arrangements to have the credentials evaluated by the
Foreign
Credentialing Commission on
Physical Therapy or a service that has a physical therapist consultant on staff and that
is
authorized to use the Federation's
CWTs for physical therapists referred to in Paragraph (c) of this Rule. The Board shall
review
an applicant's educational
program and shall consider the findings of the credentialing service.
-
(e) The applicant shall provide the following information to the Board:
-
(1) proof that the applicant has demonstrated English language proficiency by
meeting the
most
recent Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score requirement as defined by the
Federation. This
test
is
incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.
Individuals wishing
to
register
for the TOEFL shall contact Examination Testing Service
(http://www.ets.org/toefl/). The
cost of
this
examination is posted on the ETS website. The TOEFL is an examination that is
owned by ETS
and
is not
available for public review; or
-
(2) documentation for exemption pursuant to 8 CFR 212.15
(http://www.uscis.gov/). 8 CFR
212.15
is
incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.
Individuals wishing
to
obtain a
copy at no cost may call the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
National
Customer
Service
Center at 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD) toll free. A copy of 8 CFR
212.15 is on
file at
the
Division located at 8300 Health Park Suite 233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and is
available for
public
inspection
during regular business hours.
-
(f) An applicant for licensure shall provide a complete set of fingerprints at the
applicant's
expense in order to obtain a
criminal history record check in accordance with G.S. 90-270.96 and G.S. 143B-964.
History Note:
Authority G.S. 90-270.92; 90-270.95; 90-270.95(2); 90-270-97;
90-270.98;
143B-964;
150B-21.6(2);
Eff. February 1, 2015;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff.
May 1,
2018;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2020; September 1, 2019; November 1, 2018.
-
(a) This Rule shall apply to a physical therapist assistant who has graduated from a
program
located outside the United States
that has not been accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Physical Therapy
Education
(CAPTE) or its successor, in
accordance with G.S. 90-270.95(3), and holds an active physical therapist assistant
license in
another state or territory of the
United States.
-
(b) All application forms and supporting documents shall be completed in English or
accompanied
by an English translation.
-
(c) For the applicant's educational credentials to be determined substantially
equivalent to
that obtained by an applicant for
licensure pursuant to G.S. 90-270.95(3), the applicant shall meet the standards of the
Federation's most recent Coursework
Tool (CWT) for Physical Therapist Assistants
https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/Regulatory
Resources/CourseworkTools(CWT).aspx for the applicant's year of graduation. This
coursework tool
is incorporated by
reference, including subsequent amendments and editions. Individuals wishing to obtain a
copy
may call the Federation at
703-299-3100 or download a copy from the Federation's website at no cost. A copy of the
coursework tool is on file at the
Division located at 8300 Health Park Suite 233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and is available for
public
inspection during regular
business hours.
-
(d) The applicant shall make arrangements to have the credentials evaluated by the
Foreign
Credentialing Commission on
Physical Therapy or a service that has a physical therapist consultant on staff and that
is
authorized to use the Federation's
CWTs for physical therapist assistants referred to in Paragraph (c) of this Rule. The
Board
shall review an applicant's
educational program and shall consider the findings of the credentialing service.
-
(e) The applicant shall provide the following information to the Board:
-
(1) proof that the applicant has demonstrated English language proficiency by
meeting
the most
recent Test of
English as a Foreign Language TOEFL score requirement as defined by the
Federation. This
test is
incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.
Individuals
wishing to
register
for the TOEFL shall contact Examination Testing Service
(http://www.ets.org/toefl/). The
cost of
this
examination is posted on the ETS website. The TOEFL is an examination that is
owned by
ETS and
is not
available for public review; or
-
(2) documentation for exemption pursuant to 8 CFR 212.15
(http://www.uscis.gov/). 8 CFR
212.15
is
incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.
Individuals
wishing to
obtain a
copy at no cost may call the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
National
Customer
Service
Center at 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD) toll free. A copy of 8 CFR
212.15 is on
file at
the
8300 Health Park Suite 233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and is available for public
inspection
during
regular
business hours.
-
(f) An applicant for licensure shall provide a complete set of fingerprints at the
applicant's
expense in order to obtain a
criminal history record check in accordance with G.S. 90-270.96 and G.S. 143B-964.
History Note:
Authority G.S. 90-270.92; 90-270.95; 90-270.97; 90-270.98; 143B-964;
150B-21.6(2);
Eff. February 1, 2015;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff.
May 1,
2018;
Amended Eff. May 1, 2020; September 1, 2019; November 1, 2018.
-
(a) This Rule shall apply to a physical therapist assistant who has graduated from a
program
located outside the United States
that has not been accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Physical Therapy
Education
(CAPTE) or its successor, in
accordance with G.S. 90-270.95(3).
-
(b) All application forms and supporting documents shall be completed in English or
accompanied
by an English translation.
-
(c) For the applicant's educational credentials to be determined substantially
equivalent to
that obtained by an applicant for
licensure pursuant to G.S. 90-270.95(3), the applicant shall meet the standards of the
most
recent Federation's Coursework
Tool (CWT) for Physical Therapist Assistants
https://www.fsbpt.org/FreeResources/Regulatory
Resources/CourseworkTools(CWT).aspx. This coursework tool is incorporated by reference,
including subsequent
amendments and editions. Individuals wishing to obtain a copy may call the Federation at
703-299-3100 or download a copy
from the Federation's website at no cost. A copy of the coursework tool is on file at
the
Division located at 8300 Health Park
Suite 233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and is available for public inspection during regular
business
hours.
-
(d) The applicant shall make arrangements to have the credentials evaluated by the
Foreign
Credentialing Commission on
Physical Therapy or a service that has a physical therapist consultant on staff and that
is
authorized to use the Federation's
CWTs for physical therapist assistants referred to in Paragraph (c) of this Rule. The
Board
shall review an applicant's
educational program and shall consider the findings of the credentialing service.
-
(e) The applicant shall provide the following information to the Board:
-
(1) proof that the applicant has demonstrated English language proficiency by
meeting the
most
recent Test of
English as a Foreign Language TOEFL score requirement as defined by the
Federation. This
test is
incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.
Individuals wishing
to
register
for the TOEFL shall contact Examination Testing Service
(http://www.ets.org/toefl/). The
cost of
this
examination is posted on the ETS website. The TOEFL is an examination that is
owned by ETS
and
is not
available for public review; or
-
(2) documentation for exemption pursuant to 8 CFR 212.15
(http://www.uscis.gov/). 8 CFR
212.15
is
incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.
Individuals wishing
to
obtain a
copy at no cost may call the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service
National
Customer
Service
Center at 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TDD) toll free. A copy of 8 CFR
212.15 is on
file at
the
8300 Health Park Suite 233, Raleigh, NC 27615 and is available for public
inspection during
regular
business hours.
-
(f) An applicant for licensure shall provide a complete set of fingerprints at the
applicant's
expense in order to obtain a
criminal history record check in accordance with G.S. 90-270.96 and G.S. 143B-964.
History Note:
Authority G.S. 90-270.92; 90-270.95; 90-270.97; 90-270.98; 143B-964;
150B-21.6(2);
Eff. May 1, 2020.
To apply for PT/PTA licensure by exam a foreign-trained applicant does not have a physical therapist
or physical therapist assistant license in another state.
To apply for PT/PTA licensure by endorsement a foreign-trained applicant has an active physical
therapist or physical therapist assistant license in another state.
Using the Application Instructions,
Foreign-Trained Applicants will apply for a PT/PTA license the same as other applicants
with these important
differences:
SATISFACTORY PROOF OF PROFICIENCY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
According to the North Carolina Physical Therapy Practice Act and Board Rules, as of May 1, 2020, the
applicant
will show proof of demonstrated English language proficiency by meeting the most recent Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) score requirement as ‘defined by the Federation’. The current TOEFL score
requirement
as defined by the Federation was adopted on July 1, 2016 and is as follows:
Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy 16-07-01 Motion adopted, "Adopt the following individual
section and total cut scores on TOEFL iBT for both Physical Therapists (PT) and Physical Therapist
Assistants (PTA). These scores must be obtained in one sitting."
- Reading: 22
- Listening: 21
- Speaking: 24
- Writing: 22
- Total Minimum: 89
The NC Board of PT Examiners only accepts the TOEFL
iBT
(including the Home Edition version).
For additional Information about TOEFL go to: https://www.ets.org/toefl
A foreign-educated applicant may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement if the applicant has also
graduated
from a college or university in the United States, or the following countries listed below (such as the
tDPT), in addition to the entry level foreign PT/PTA degree.
Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom
See Federal Statue 8 CFR 212.15(g) English language requirements, and current Board Rules.
NOTE: A transcript documenting graduation must be submitted for exemption from the
requirement.
EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS EVALUATION
The credentials of a foreign-trained physical therapist/physical therapist assistant who is not a graduate
of a
CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education) accredited program, whether applying for
licensure by examination or by endorsement, must be evaluated by a credentialing service acceptable to the
Board
to determine if the course of instruction is substantially equivalent to that of the United States trained
physical therapist. Educational Credentials Evaluations must be sent to the Board directly from the
Credentialling service. Credentialing services accepted by the Board are as follows:
-
1. The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy
(FCCPT) 124 West Street South, 3rd Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone 703/684-8406, Fax 703/684- 8715
Email address: help@fccpt.org
-
2. International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. (ICD)
P.O. Box 8629
Philadelphia, PA 19101-8629
Telephone 215-243-5858
Email address: www.icdeval.com
-
3. International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
(IERF) PO Box 3665 Culver City, CA 90231- 3655
Telephone 310-258-9451, Fax: 310-342-7086
Email: info@ierf.org ; Website: www.ierf.org (applications available)
For additional Information review the
Foreign-Trained
FAQ
