What does FCCPT do?

The FCCPT provides educational credentials reviews for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, using the FSBPT coursework Evaluation tool (CWT). The purpose of these reviews is to provide a report regarding the substantial educational equivalence of foreign educated PTs and PTAs to a US graduate of an accredited physical therapy program.

How do I find out about other jurisdictions requirements for FEPT?

The FSBPT publishes and keeps current a document called the Licensure Reference Guide. This document provides information on the basic requirements for FEPTs such as: what tool is required or used, if the tool is for current educational requirements, the year of graduation or the year of first US license. Are there English language proficiency requirements, Is there a required supervised practice period and what is it? You can view the Licensure Reference Guide by going to www.fsbpt.org and selecting "Regulatory Tools" / "Licensure Reference Guide".

How are these reviews used by licensing boards?

The report provided by the FCCPT is a course by course comparison of the educational curriculum followed by the applicant to the US standards of education using the CWT. The final report shows the findings of content evidence as well as length of study, and an opinion on substantial equivalency based upon the CWT. The report is advisory only and it is the jurisdiction board that makes a determination of eligibility to be licensed.

Why are you reviewing educational credentials that are substantially equivalent to a physical therapist assistant’s education? I thought there were no foreign PTA programs.

Historically there has not been a position of PTA outside of the US, however in the past few years a number of PTA programs have developed, primarily in Canada, but a few elsewhere as well. In addition to this in 2008, the Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services adjusted the provider requirements to include certification of educational equivalence of foreign educated physical therapist assistants. The FSBPT responded to this requirement by developing and validating the PTA Tool 2007.

What tools/standards do you use to complete a credentials review and why?

The FCCPT uses the Coursework Tools for PT and PTA that have been developed and validated by the FSBPT. These tools are the only tools known to have been validated against the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) evaluative criteria, thus are the most defensible tools available. The FCCPT does all reviews on the current educational standards, but will convert the results to earlier standards if a jurisdiction wishes a review based upon year of graduation.

What happens if the FCCPT does not find the education of an applicant to be substantially equivalent?

When a review is completed the applicant and the state are issued final narrative reports and copies of the CWT. The applicant is also sent a document which explains how to interpret their final report, and information on P-L-A-N the Planned Learning and Assistance Network. Plan is a service which assists the applicant to; interpret the results of their report, Identify specific and general deficiencies, Identify a list of options for supplementing the deficiencies. Pre-approval of coursework chosen by the applicant and a re-evaluation by FCCPT when the coursework has been completed. Applicants who have not been evaluated by FCCPT can also use this service, on an hourly basis, to assist in finding coursework, but we can not pre-approve courses

How is the FCCPT related to the FSBPT?

The FCCPT is an independent non-for profit organization that has a single member “FSBPT BOD”. The FCCPT was formed to meet the Federal Regulations under USCIS, for agencies that would be allowed to issue Healthcare Worker Certificates for FEPT. These regulations define the make-up of the BOD, thus this service could not be completed by the FSBPT without re-organization of that agency. The FSBPT initially put forth a line of credit for the new organization to form,, this was re-paid two years ahead of schedule. The FSBPT BOD appoints the FCCPT Board, and the FCCPT pays a management fee to the FSBPT for employee services and office space.

Have all FEPT passed the English proficiency exams?

No; Only those who needed a Healthcare worker certificate to obtain their visa or work permit have been required to pass the English proficiency examinations. . Individuals who are in the US on a dependent/spouse visa, or, have citizenship, do not need to have a healthcare worker certificate.