In many states, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE®) and you must pass a jurisprudence exam as a requirement for licensure.
A jurisprudence exam is a test of your state’s laws and rules. All licensed physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) should be familiar with the practice act and rules under which they are allowed to work.
Currently, more than 50 percent of states require a jurisprudence exam for initial licensure. Find out if Your State Requires the Jurisprudence Exam Contact the licensing authority in the jurisdiction in which you want to practice to get the most up-to-date information.
Currently, a jurisprudence exam is required in twenty-nine states for PT licensure and twenty-seven states for PTA licensure. For a list of these states as well as other requirements for licensure, you may view the licensure reference guide. However, you should contact your licensing authority to ensure you have the most recent, up-to-date information.
Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, and Nebraska. If your jurisdiction requires that you take the jurisprudence exam through the FSBPT, the policies and procedures for the jurisprudence exam are the same as those for the NPTE. All jurisprudence exams will be administered on a continuous basis, with exams dates available most days of the year. Please note that once you register for a jurisprudence exam, the registration must be approved by your jurisdiction within six months. Unapproved registrations will be closed after six months, and the exam fee, minus a $15 processing fee, will be refunded.
To meet a portion of your licensure renewal or continuing competence/continuing education requirements, you may elect to take the jurisprudence exam if it is available in the jurisdiction in which you practice physical therapy. Currently, the following states offer jurisprudence exams for continuing competence credit:
Nebraska does not pre-approve continuing education programs but may accept as continuing education for renewal of a license or certificate, or reinstatement of a license or certificate, the completion of the jurisprudence examination. Five (5) hours of continuing education will be awarded for passing the jurisprudence examination with a scaled score that is greater than or equal to 600.
The policies and procedures for the jurisprudence examinations are the same as those for the NPTE.