Foreign Trained Initial Application Instructions
The following outlines general license information for Physical Therapists.
License Fee Schedule
North Dakota licensing cycle expires January 31st each year. Applicants must pay a $200 application fee plus the current criminal background fee.
| Application Fee | $ 200.00 |
|---|---|
| Criminal Background Check Fee | $ 41.25 |
- Credit or Debit card payment must be remitted at time of application submission.
- The application fee is non-refundable.
Application and Documentation Information
The requirements for foreign educated physical therapist interested in applying for licensure with North Dakota and taking the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) are as follows:
- Complete the online license application as a Physical Therapist.
- Once your application is received, a BCI fingerprint packet will be mailed to you.
- Documentation for any "yes" answers to the legal questions.
- Juris Prudence: This is an open book exam which can be completed by using up the Rules & Regulations and ND PT Practice Act located under Regulations in the menu bar.
- Note: The Juris Prudence is included in the online application. The Juris Prudence Exam must be passed prior to issuance of a license.
- An evaluation of education and licensure credentials must be sent directly from the FCCPT (Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy) indicating that the requirements have been met for licensure in North Dakota.
- For information on the educational, language and prior licensure requirements, please contact the FCCPT website at www.fccpt.org.
- Applications for the NPTE must be done online through the FSBPT, and can be completed at anytime. You will not be cleared to sit for the NPTE until the North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy notifies the FSBPT that they have received all of your application materials and payment.
- Please refer to the FSBPT website at www.fsbpt.net/pt for information on that process.
Upon receipt of the above information, notification of the name of the North Dakota facility in which employment will take place and the name of the supervising therapist in North Dakota, a time-limited license can be issued. This license allows employment under onsite supervision.
A therapist who has graduated from a non-CAPTE-accredited program is required to be under onsite supervision for up to 1,000 hours. After successful completion of the clinical skills check list, eligibility for a permanent license is possible.
Eligibility for a permanent license is only possible when an official certification from FCCPT and a passing score on the NPTE and are obtained.
Application and Documentation Information
For those physical therapists who have graduated from a non-CAPTE-accredited program and who are interested in applying for licensure by endorsement to practice in North Dakota, please follow the below procedure:
- Complete the online license application as a Physical Therapist.
- Once your application is received, a BCI fingerprint packet will be mailed to you.
- Documentation for any "yes" answers to the legal questions.
- Juris Prudence: This is an open book exam which can be completed by using up the Rules & Regulations and ND PT Practice Act located under Regulations in the menu bar.
- Note: The Juris Prudence is included in the online application. The Juris Prudence Exam must be passed prior to issuance of a license.
- An evaluation of education and licensure credentials must be sent directly from the FCCPT (Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy) indicating that the requirements have been met for licensure in North Dakota.
- For information on the educational, language and prior licensure requirements, please contact the FCCPT website at www.fccpt.org.
- Upload a copy of current and previous license(s).
- Send a verification of license form to each of the states/provinces in which a license is held/previously held. Please request that this completed form be sent directly to the ND Board of PT.
- Contact the FSBPT to have your NPTE scores forwarded directly to ND Board of PT.
- Upload letters from the department supervisor or human resources from the last two places of employment, verifying employment.
Upon receipt of the above information, notification of the name of the North Dakota facility in which employment will take place and the name of the supervising therapist in North Dakota, a time-limited license can be issued. This license allows employment under onsite supervision.
A therapist who has graduated from a non-CAPTE-accredited program is required to be under onsite supervision for up to 1,000 hours. After successful completion of the clinical skills check list, eligibility for a permanent license is possible.
Eligibility for permanent licensure is only possible upon receipt and review of all required documents and verification of license(s).
ADA Accommodations
Please refer to the FSBPT website, www.fsbpt.org, for the NPTE Handbook, the school codes and general information regarding the examination.
Application Status
Once all of the requirements and fees have been submitted the board will review your application and applicable documents. You will receive notification once your application has been approved.
To check the status of your license application log onto the Application Status.
Continuing Competence Requirements
All physical therapists and physical therapist assistants must obtain twenty-five units of continuing competence every two years to be eligible for licensure renewal. There shall be no carryover of continuing competence units to the next reporting period.
If you have questions you may view the Practice Act, the Rules & Regulations and an explanation of continuing competence requirements can be viewed on our site located under Regulations in the menu bar.
License Renewal
The license renewal fee is $100. Licenses must be renewed by January 31st every year. A license that has not been renewed by Januarty 31st is an expired license.
Once a license has expired, the person who held the expired license may not practice under state law. A person whose license has expired but who continues to practice is grounds for board discpline.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the board.