Recruiting Services Worldwide

Physical Therapist Registration Information

The most successful category for physical therapists wishing to work in the U.S is the H1B visa, most physical therapists who wish to remain permanently within the United States obtain an immigrant visa also (green card) through adjustment of status.

The registration process can be confusing - however we can help.

The difficulty is understanding the licensing requirements that each State imposes on foreign graduates. Before you can qualify for a H1B visa the physical therapist must be able to provide evidence that he or she is appropriately licensed within the State they intend to work.

Foreign physical therapists with foreign degrees or licenses must meet all the general state board requirements before they are eligible to receive a license from a U.S. state. In most states, any person that graduated from a foreign school must obtain a credentials evaluation from a credentialing organisation approved by that state board. Credentials evaluation usually consists of a course-by-course analysis of the applicant's physical therapy education to ensure it is equivalent to that of an approved US school (usually a Bachelor's Degree).

Most state boards recognise some or all of the following credentialing organizations: Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT); International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. (ICD or ICDEL); International Credentialing Associates, Inc. (ICA); International Education Research Foundation (IERF); International Education Consultants (IEC). For ease we use the FCCPT certification process as it is accepted by almost every State board that we currently place physical therapists.

In addition, some states require a minimum of academic semester hours in professional education as well as general education. Again, the requirements differ from state to state.

Another requirement that some states impose on foreign graduates is passage of an English competency test - usually the TOEFL, the TSE, the TWE or a combination of these exams. The TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. The TSE is the Test of Spoken English. The TWE is the Test of Written English. For some states, the TOEFL will suffice, for others all three exams must be taken. Some states do not impose an English requirement at all. For the states that require English competency tests for foreign graduates, a passing score in these exams is usually enough, but a minority of the states require a higher score than passing.

In most cases, obtaining a satisfactory credentials evaluation, passing the NPTE examination and demonstrating English competency will be enough to qualify for a license. However, a few states impose additional requirements to obtain a license. States such as California, Louisiana, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia require a minimum number of hours or a number of months of board license. States such as California, Louisiana, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia require a minimum number of hours or a number of months of board approved clinical practice from all foreign graduates. Therefore, it may be better for a foreign graduate to apply for a license in another state first and then relocate to these states through endorsement. We will provide you with the State Board application that is the most appropriate to your placement.