FCCPT has compiled frequently asked questions (FAQs) for new and returning applicants, PT Licensure Boards, PT education faculty, and others who are seeking clarification about the credentialing process and our services.

Have a question? Chances are good that we’ve already answered it. Please browse through one or more of the categories below to get answers fast.

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How long will it take to process my documents into my file?

When documents are received by FCCPT, they must go through a detailed authentication process that takes time. Therefore, documents are not immediately available to see as received in your applicant portal upon delivery of the documents. For documents sent to us electronically (via email or uploading on our website) it takes 3-5 business days before your file will be updated. Documents that arrive through the postal service (first class mail or courier service) will take 5-7 business days before your file will be updated.

How long does it take to complete a service?

The following timeframes are for services in review (paid-in-full and all required documents have been received); these timeframes do not include the time necessary to request and receive documents from their appropriate source(s).

Important: The following time frames are all approximate, and may take more or less time depending on circumstances.

Refer to How To Apply section for more information on service timelines.

What service do I need to apply for as a new applicant to FCCPT?

The service you need depends on many different factors. We have tried to make this easy for you and have created a wizard that allows you to know which service is appropriate for you by answering a few questions here.

How long will my service stay open?

When you apply for an FCCPT Service, you have 12 months from the application date to have all required documents submitted to FCCPT. If the required documents are not received within this timeframe, your file will be closed and no refund of fees will be issued.

Will FCCPT return the documents to my institution or myself?

All documents received by FCCPT become the property of FCCPT and will not be returned to the institution or the applicant.

Does FCCPT give academic credit for secondary education credentials?

If you attended school in any of the countries listed and received the degree listed, then FCCPT might be able to give academic credit for secondary education. Official documents must be submitted by either the secondary school or by the external examination body. If the secondary education culminates in an external examination, FCCPT requires the examination results to be sent directly by the examination body.

How does FCCPT determine educational equivalence? What tool will FCCPT use for my review?

FCCPT uses the Coursework Tool (CWT) developed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) for all reviews. The version of the CWT used depends on the service requested and the recipient of the evaluation.

The total required credits for comparability to U.S. education and for the issuance of the Healthcare Worker Certificate is 210 semester credits. For immigration purposes the most current version of the CWT is required which meets the federal requirement for current educational standards used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for immigration purposes. Learn more about the CWT by visiting the FSBPT website.

How are academic courses assigned to the Coursework Tool (CWT)?

The coursework content placement on the CWT for PT and PTA evaluations is based on the original source documents of the course descriptions or content outlines provided by the academic program. We depend on your school to provide the most accurate and complete documents for your years of study for the credentialing process. The accepted documents include syllabi, course descriptions, content outlines, class topics, and handouts that are sent directly from your academic institution to FCCPT.

I received my completed evaluation report and do not understand how to read it. How do I read my evaluation report?

Visit FCCPT’s YouTube channel and watch the video “How do I read my FCCPT evaluation report”. This video walks you through each section of your FCCPT evaluation report.

How are semester credits assigned on the Coursework Tool (CWT)?

FCCPT converts all foreign educational units to the U.S. equivalent to a semester credit. In the U.S., an average semester of study equates to 16 credits. Thus, other credit unit systems are converted to the same 16 credits for 16 weeks of study. The conversions vary based upon the country of education and, in some cases, the way that a university reports units of study.

Licensure in my country of education is not required (either there is no regulatory body, registration is voluntary, or the degree confers eligibility to practice). Can I still apply for a Type 1 Review?

Yes. We are aware of most countries where licensure is not required, with India being the most common example. If the license verification requirement appears on your checklist, Contact Us and we will waive the requirement upon confirmation that licensure is not required in your country of education.

I am licensed in a country other than my country of education. Do I need to have my other license(s) verified?

Yes. Please enter all licenses held when you apply for your service, or submit the Licensure Revision Form to have additional licenses added to your file. You will be required to provide verification of all licenses held since graduation for both the Comprehensive Credentials Review (Type 1 Review) and Type 1 Renewal. This includes U.S. licenses.

I lost or damaged my Type 1 Certificate. Can this be replaced?

FCCPT will re-issue a lost or damaged Type 1 Certificate. You must mail the damaged certificate to our offices. In the event that the certificate is lost, please mail a notarized affidavit of loss to our offices. Once we receive the affidavit of loss, we will add a service for your certificate replacement and notify you via email when you can log in and make the payment. Once the payment is processed, we will reissue your Type 1 Certificate. Because the certificate is a federally-secured document, we do not send electronic copies or additional hard copies of the certificate.

Please login to your file and review your personal information to verify your mailing address is correct and current. Also review the application fee schedule for current cost to reissue a Type 1 Certificate.

Does FCCPT issue my visa?

No, FCCPT does not issue visas. FCCPT will issue a Health Care Worker Certificate (Type 1 Certificate) upon completion of the Comprehensive Credentials Review (Type 1 Review), if your education is found to be equivalent.

Note: The Type 1 Certificate is only a part of the requirements for application to the USCIS for a visa. Visit the USCIS website for more information about visas.

Can I submit additional documents after my review has started?

Yes, but it will delay your review. If you would like to have additional documents considered in your evaluation, please email a letter with your signature requesting this. Once we get the email, your review start date will change to the day the email is received. Please review the Service Timeline in the How to Apply section and understand that this will restart your review.

If you do not want the new documents included, you do not have to do anything. Documents received after your review starts will not be included in your evaluation unless you follow the instructions above.

If you have additional documents coming in that aren’t added to your file yet, please send us the Higher Education Revision form to include the additional coursework (this includes CLEP exams). Please keep in mind that if you submit this form your review process will stop until we get the documents indicated on the form.

What happens if my education is found to be “Not Equivalent” to the first professional physical therapy (PT) degree in the U.S.?

If FCCPT finds your education to not be substantially equivalent to the current first professional degree in the U.S., you may complete supplemental coursework and apply for a Re-evaluation.

If you would like assistance in finding options for coursework to meet the U.S. standards for physical therapy education, you may benefit from the Planned Learning and Assistance Network (PLAN) service after FCCPT has completed your initial evaluation.

What happens if my education is found to be "Not Equivalent" to the entry level physical therapist assistant (PTA) degree in the U.S.?

If FCCPT finds your education to not be substantially equivalent to the current entry level PTA degree in the U.S., you may complete supplemental coursework and apply for a Re-evaluation.

If you would like assistance in finding options for coursework to meet the U.S. standards for PTA education, you may benefit from the Planned Learning and Assistance Network (PLAN) service after FCCPT has completed your initial evaluation.

If my education is found to be "Equivalent" to the entry level physical therapist assistant (PTA) degree, can I apply for PTA licensure in any state?

Not all states allow foreign educated applicants to become PTAs. To determine if the state where you wish to apply will allow an foreign educated applicant to be licensed as a PTA, review the Licensure Reference Guide, available through FSBPT.

Note: Some states will only allow you to apply for PTA licensure if your education in your native country was in a PTA or similar program, and not a PT program.

I am applying for PT licensure in California. Does FCCPT issue the Certificate of Professional Degree Equivalency (P1F/P1G)?

Yes, FCCPT will email the P1F/P1G certificate directly to the California Physical Therapy Board, if you have been found equivalent.

More information regarding Foreign-Educated PT licensure in California can be found at the PTBC website.

If FCCPT determines that my education is not substantially equivalent to current U.S. standards, does this mean that I will not be given a license even if I am already licensed in another jurisdiction?

The decision to grant a license is at the discretion of the jurisdiction. FCCPT evaluation report is an advisory report only, indicating the deficiencies in the educational comparison. You may choose to supplement the educational documents based upon the review and apply for a Re-evaluation.

Should I submit the transcripts from my secondary education?

FCCPT evaluations are based upon post-secondary education only and education must be recognized as post-secondary in the country of education to be included in review. Thus, you should not have secondary education documents sent to FCCPT unless specifically requested to do so. For example, A-Level courses from the United Kingdom and other countries are considered secondary education in the U.S., but may be awarded credit for evaluation; therefore, you may be requested to provide transcripts for A-Levels and similar credentials. Our Country Profiles have information on which secondary credits may be accepted from your country of education.

Do I have to take the TOEFL exam?

In general, only those who need a Healthcare Worker Certificate to obtain a visa or work permit are required to pass the English-language proficiency examination. Individuals who are in the U.S. on a dependent/spouse visa, or have citizenship, do not need to have a Healthcare Worker Certificate and therefore are not required to take and pass the TOEFL exam.

Review TOEFL Requirements for additional details and exemptions.

Will I be awarded academic credit for passing the TOEFL exam?

No, FCCPT does not accept TOEFL for academic credit. TOEFL only demonstrates English-language proficiency, and is required for Type 1 Certification and Type 1 Renewal, and in some jurisdictions it is a prerequisite for licensure. Please review the licensure requirements for the jurisdiction(s) that you are interested in applying for to determine English-language proficiency requirements for that jurisdiction.

I forgot my file number, how can I retrieve this?

Please Contact Us to request your forgotten file number. Do not apply for a new service and new file number, as this could delay your evaluation process. In your request, please include the following information:

  • Last Name (at time of application)
  • Date of Birth (month/day/year)
  • Country of Birth

I do not have a credit card. Can I still apply for an FCCPT service?

You do not need to make the full payment with a credit card, but you do need to make at least a $25 payment with a credit card to submit the online application. You can use a friend or family member’s card to make the minimum $25 payment; be sure that they have agreed and do not try to cancel the payment as this will cause additional charges to you.

Once the minimum online payment is made then you can send the remaining amount to our offices as a certified check or money order. There is not a form you can send with a letter and your file number.

While we understand that this is a problem for you, you will eventually also need to use a credit card to pay for your PT exam fees and licensure in the U.S., thus you may wish to begin to arrange for this now rather than later.

What happens if I change my mind about the service I have ordered?

You may withdraw an application or request a change of service within five (5) business days of submission of the application.

To withdraw, you must download, complete, and mail or email the Cancellation of Service Form to FCCPT. To change your service, you must download, complete, and mail or email the Change of Service Form.

  • FCCPT mailing address and email address can be found on the Contact Us page.

Refer to the sections on Withdrawing an Application and Changing a Service in the How to Apply section for more information.

I would like to apply for a new service and have completed additional education. How do I update my file with new education information?

If you are applying for a new Primary Service (Type 1 Review, Educational Credentials Review, PTA-EER, or New York Verification Service) then new educational information can be added at time of application. Please note you will not be able to change any information added to your file during a previous application.

If you are applying for a Related Service, such as Re-evaluation, then you will need to submit a FCCPT Education Revision Form.

I have an evaluation completed by another agency and was not found equivalent. How can I apply for FCCPT’s PLAN service?

If your initial evaluation was not completed by FCCPT, you will only be able to apply for PLAN Incremental service. To apply for this, send FCCPT a email or mail your request with your name, date of birth, place of birth, address, and e-mail address. Also, the name of the educational institutions you have attended. You must also send your completed evaluation report in its entirety.

We will then open a file for you and you can log in and make payment for the PLAN Incremental service.

The PLAN Incremental service will only give you the options of where courses can be found to meet the missing educational criteria identified in your evaluation report. We will not do a new evaluation of your documents or answer questions about how the reviews were completed by another agency.

If you would like FCCPT to conduct an evaluation of your educational documents, you must apply for the Educational Credentials Review.

My name has changed. Can I update my file with my new name?

To have your name changed on your FCCPT file, you must mail a notarized copy of a legal document showing the name change, along with a letter requesting the change. Please include your full name, file number, and signature with your request letter.

My contact information has changed. Can I update my file with a new address, phone number, and/or email?

You may change your personal address, phone number, email address, or FedEx account number by logging into your file and selecting "Edit Profile". Please make sure to keep your contact information up to date, especially if you have a service in-progress.

My school or license authority information has changed, or was entered incorrectly. Can I update my file with the correct information?

If you want to make changes to the licensure or academic information in your online file, you must submit the appropriate revision form:

  • FCCPT Education Revision Form: Download, complete, and mail or email to FCCPT to add, remove, or correct information about institutions of higher education that you have attended.
  • FCCPT PT License Revision Form: Download, complete, and mail or email to FCCPT to add, remove, or correct information about your licenses to practice physical therapy.

All forms are available for download in our File Library.

I would like to apply for a new service and have completed additional education. How do I update my file with new education information?

If you are applying for a new Primary Service (Type 1 Review, Educational Credentials Review, PTA-EER, or New York Verification Service) then new educational information can be added at time of application. Please note you will not be able to change any information added to your file during a previous application.

If you are applying for a Related Service, such as Re-evaluation, then you will need to submit a FCCPT Education Revision Form.

I am licensed in a country other than my country of education. Do I need to have my other license(s) verified?

Yes. Please enter all licenses held when you apply for your service, or submit the Licensure Revision Form to have additional licenses added to your file. You will be required to provide verification of all licenses held since graduation for both the Comprehensive Credentials Review (Type 1 Review) and Type 1 Renewal. This includes U.S. licenses.

Will I be notified when my documents are received by FCCPT?

FCCPT does not send notifications when documents are received. We encourage applicants to login to your file and check your service status; you will be able to see which documents have been received and which are still due before the evaluation can begin.

I have completed the New York Credentials Verification Service and my education information was submitted to FCCPT. I’d like to apply for a Type 1 Review (or other Primary Service); do I need to have my school submit documents again?

No, we will use your existing educational documents received from the New York Credentials Verification process for your new service.

Can I speak to an evaluator regarding my evaluation report?

Your documents are reviewed by two physical therapist evaluators who come to consensus on the evaluation of the documents. It is our policy that evaluators do not speak with individual applicants. If you need assistance in the interpretation of your report you may wish to consider one of our PLAN services.

Can I order a duplicate report for California?

Yes. However, California has no exemptions for TOEFL; if you’ve completed the Educational Credentials Review and would like a duplicate report sent to California, you will be required to provide passing TOEFL scores to FCCPT before your duplicate report will be sent. If you are a new applicant, you must apply for the Type 1 Review in order to have a report delivered to California.

Can I order a duplicate report for New York?

Yes. However, for FCCPT to be able to provide a duplicate report to New York, you must first have your education evaluated by FCCPT through either the Type 1 Review or Educational Credentials Review (or PTA-EER for PTAs seeking licensure in New York). Only after FCCPT has completed your evaluation can we send a report to New York; the New York Credentials Verification process does not include a credentials evaluation. Refer to the New York Credentials Verification section of this website for more details.

How can I find out the licensure requirements for a Jurisdiction?

To find information on the licensure requirements for the jurisdiction/state you are interested in, go to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) Licensure Reference Guide. This guide provides information on the basic requirements for foreign-educated PTs and PTAs such as: what coursework tool is required or used, if there are English-language proficiency requirements, or if there are required supervised practice periods, and if so, what they are.

You can also find contact information for the licensing board for each U.S. jurisdiction on the FSBPT website's Licensure Authorities Contact Information page, if you want to contact a licensing board directly.

Can I change the jurisdiction where I want my report submitted?

Yes. To change the recipient of your included or duplicate report, please email a signed letter requesting that the jurisdiction be changed to either “none at this time” or to another jurisdiction or recipient. Requests to change the jurisdiction or recipient must be made prior to the completion of your review; once the review is completed and your service is in Administrative status, you can no longer request a change of recipient. You can log in to your file to check the status of your service.

Will FCCPT provide credentialing services for me if I’m seeking licensure in a country other than the United States?

No, FCCPT does not assist with licensure/credentialing outside of the United States. To find information/requirements for licensure in your country of interest, we suggest you refer to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, look for regional director and contact them for whom to contact in your specified country.

Would FCCPT provide a review of our University/College curriculum?

Yes, we can offer an evaluation of your current curriculum. We would conduct our Educational Credentials Review based on comparison of your institution’s transcript of hours and course syllabi to the current Coursework Tool. This review would identify any potential deficiencies a graduate might face if he/she successfully completes your curriculum.

How can I (a U.S. Faculty member) assist a foreign-educated physical therapist seeking licensure in the U.S.?

FCCPT is available to respond to questions from academic institutions and faculty about the credentialing process and the results of a coursework tool (CWT) report, as well as to review courses that might be offered for specific academic deficiencies. We can also assist faculty with immigration and licensure regulation questions. Contact Us for more information.

How might my academic program assist with an evaluation of a foreign-educated PT or PTA?

FCCPT must receive all official transcripts and syllabus of physical therapy coursework directly from your academic institution in order for it to be considered for evaluation. Transcripts must be sent from the registrar, and syllabi can be sent by the faculty or program director, and must be on official letterhead with appropriate signatures or seals. Review Submitting Documents for more details.

If it is determined that all of the necessary information was not submitted prior to the educational credential review beginning, or that the information originally sent was not complete or incorrect, the applicant can arrange to have additional information sent to FCCPT by the appropriate issuing institution and the applicant can apply for a Re-evaluation.

Additional information may consist of curriculum/course descriptions for courses on transcripts, evidence of missing courses from transcripts, clinical education certificates, and licensure documents. All additional documentation must come directly from the issuing institution and not from the applicant.

Note: The syllabus for any physical therapy course is required. FCCPT will only accept pre-existing documents from the school. We will not accept letters indicating content has been taught and we will not accept documents that are prepared specifically for FCCPT’s purposes.

Will FCCPT request personal information via e-mail?

Will FCCPT request personal information via e-mail?

I am a U.S. citizen thinking about going to a foreign physical therapy school; what will I need to do to work in the U.S.

I am a U.S. citizen thinking about going to a foreign physical therapy school; what will I need to do to work in the U.S.