Arranging to take the NPTE

What are the steps for taking the examination?

• Obtain application materials from the licensing authority of the jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure.
• Register and pay for the examination on FSBPT’s website at www.fsbpt.org.
• If you have a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you may request testing accommodations for the examination. For details, contact the licensing authority in the jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure. You must request testing accommodations at the time you register.
• The jurisdiction licensing authority will approve your eligibility and notify FSBPT. Please note that your jurisdiction cannot approve your eligibility until your examination registration and payment has been received by FSBPT.
• FSBPT will send you an “Authorization to Test” (ATT) letter containing instructions on how to schedule an appointment with Prometric. You will receive your ATT letter by email at the email address you provided during registration. You may also access your ATT letter on the FSBPT website under “Status of My Request.” Questions regarding registration processing may be directed to examregistration@fsbpt.org.
• Schedule an appointment for the examination with Prometric. You may schedule your appointment with Prometric online at www.prometric.com/fsbpt or by calling the number given in your ATT letter.
• Sit for the examination at your chosen Prometric testing site. You must sit for the examination on the date indicated on the ATT letter provided by FSBPT. If you do not sit for the examination or withdraw your registration within your eligibility, you will be removed from the eligibility list and will be required to begin the registration process again.

May I sit for the examination prior to graduation?

FSBPT will allow candidates to sit for an examination no more than 90 days prior to their graduation date.

Jurisdictions may have more restrictive rules regarding testing prior to graduation. You should contact the jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure to determine their policy on testing prior to graduation. For an overview of jurisdiction rules and requirements, go to the “Licensure Reference Guide” under “Top Resources.”

Am I required to sit for the examination in the jurisdiction in which I am seeking licensure?

No. You may sit for the examination at any of the approximately 360 testing centers in the United States and Canada. You are not required to sit for the examination within the jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure.

May I register to take the examination with more than one jurisdiction at the same time?

No. You may not register to take the examination through more than one jurisdiction at the same time. If you do not pass the examination, you may register with the same jurisdiction or a different jurisdiction. However, as before, you may register through only one jurisdiction to retake the examination.

May I register for more than one fixed-date administration at the same time?

No. You may register for only one fixed-date administration for a given examination level at a time.

Are there registration deadlines?

Yes! For all fixed-date PT and PTA administrations there are strict deadlines for both registration and jurisdiction approval. Go to www.fsbpt.org/FixedDateTesting for all applicable deadline information. Registration opens approximately six months prior to the examination date. It is highly recommended that you register as early as possible.

What are my licensure and examination registration fees?

To determine licensure fees, you will need to consult the materials provided by the licensing authority, as fees vary from state to state. The fee for the NPTE is $485. The NPTE fee is payable by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) only.

The NPTE registration form asks for a Social Security Number and I do not have one. What do I do?

We require a unique identification number in order for you to sit for the examination. This should be your Social Security Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you can obtain one from the Social Security Administration at http://www.ssa.gov/ or call 1-800-772-1213.

In rare cases where a candidate cannot obtain a Social Security Number, an "Alternate Identification Number" (AIN) may be obtained from FSBPT by application. You may print an application for an AIN from the FSBPT website, www.fsbpt.org, by clicking on "Our Services", "Candidate Services”, then selecting "Alternate Identification Number (AIN)." Your registration will not be processed without either a Social Security Number or an Alternate Identification Number.

The issuance of an AIN is solely for the purpose of registering for examinations or services through the FSBPT when a candidate cannot obtain a Social Security Number. The AIN is not a substitute for a Social Security Number for any other purpose.

Applicants should retain their AIN and utilize it concerning all correspondence, inquiries, or requests relating to their licensure examination. AIN applications will be processed within five business days of receipt. Candidates will be notified of their assigned number by email upon issuance.

NOTE: If you are issued an AIN and then later are issued an SSN by the Social Security Administration, you must notify FSBPT so that your record can be updated.

Can individuals with disabilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act receive testing accommodations?

At the time that you submit your initial application materials, you must submit appropriate documentation of your request for testing accommodations to the licensing authority of the jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure. Only those candidates who have been granted approval from their licensing authority will receive accommodations during testing. For information about how to request testing accommodations, you must contact the jurisdiction licensing authority in which you are seeking licensure prior to registering to take the examination. All Prometric testing centers are fully accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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