The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is a non-profit organization that evaluates the credentials of foreign-educated physical therapists and physical therapist assistants (FEPTs), and issues Health Care Worker Certificates to those who wish to immigrate and/or work in the United States.
FCCPT’s mission is to support protection of the public through the evaluation and authentication of credentials and provision of related services in an ethical manner.
FCCPT is the recognized authority in evaluation of educational equivalence, credentials, and qualifications.
FCCPT is committed to providing convenient, easy-to-access services to the individuals and organizations we serve in the shortest possible time.
FCCPT does not discriminate among applicants in the terms, conditions, or privileges on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation/preference, familial status, physical or mental disability, veteran status or military obligations or any other legally protected status.
FCCPT provides educational credentials reviews for physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) using the PT or PTA Coursework Evaluation Tool (CWT), which have been validated against CAPTE accreditation requirements for PT and PTA education.
The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) grants accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. CAPTE accredits educational programs in the U.S. and selected programs around the world. In order to apply for licensure as a PT or PTA in the U.S., jurisdictional authorities require that applicants are graduates of CAPTE-accredited PT or PTA education programs. Applicants who graduated from education programs that are not CAPTE-accredited must have their educational credentials reviewed by an approved credentialing agency, such as FCCPT.
The purpose of educational credentials review is to determine the equivalence of the education of FEPTs, compared to U.S. graduates of accredited physical therapy education programs.
For detailed information on our credentials verification and evaluation services, please see the Primary Services section of this website.
rely on FCCPT to:
depend on FCCPT to:
Applicants who complete a Comprehensive Credentials Review (Type 1 Review) with FCCPT are more than twice as likely to pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) on the first attempt as those who complete their evaluation with other agencies.
Below are some other reasons why FCCPT is uniquely suited to meet all foreign PT and PTA credentialing needs:
FCCPT is one of only two organizations given authority by USCIS to prescreen FEPTs and to issue qualifying Health Care Worker Certificates for immigration.
FCCPT is the only qualifying organization recognized by all 53 U.S. jurisdictions, making it easier for applicants to move from state-to-state.
FCCPT is the only qualifying organization dedicated exclusively to the review and evaluation of physical therapy credentials for immigration and licensure.
FCCPT keeps abreast of standards for physical therapy practice and licensure, educational curricula and foreign educational systems.
FCCPT has the knowledge, ability, and infrastructure to evaluate credentials on a consistent basis, authenticate information sources, and produce consistent, reliable outcomes.
FCCPT has created uniform credentialing standards and developed the systems, processes, and human resources necessary to consistently apply these standards.
FCCPT has developed its credentialing standards in collaboration with academic faculty, practicing physical therapy professionals, and licensing/registration authorities.
FCCPT’s quality assurance program is overseen by a panel of physical therapy educators and physical therapists active in regulation of U.S. PT practice.
Learn how the People of FCCPT make a difference in the quality and delivery of our services.
Comments to posts are welcomed and encouraged on the FCCPT Facebook and Instagram pages. However, we reserve the right to hide or delete the following types of comments.