Getting Started

Carefully review each step you need to take to apply for evaluation. Learn how to choose the right service, apply, send documents, and check fees and processing times.

Choose the Right Service

Answer a few questions to find the right service that fits your needs, OR review the jurisdiction requirements on the map below.

What is your goal?

Do you have at least a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or higher?

Do you have a master’s or doctorate degree in any subject?

Are you eligible to practice physical therapy in the country where you earned your degree?

Can you request your academic documents directly from the school?

You are not eligible for immigration services without a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. Please contact us if you have a post-secondary degree in physical therapy.

You are not eligible for immigration services without a masters or doctorate degree in any subject. Please refer to the jurisdiction requirements map for other available services.

Educational Credentials Review (ECR) may be right for you.

Type 1 for Immigration is the correct service for you.

Do you have at least a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or higher?

Can you request your academic records directly from the school?

You are not eligible for PT licensure service without a minimum of a bachelor's degree in physical therapy. Please contact us if you have a post-secondary degree in physical therapy.

Select the jurisdiction where you want to be licensed on the jurisdiction requirements map to find the right service.

Can you request your academic documents directly from the school?

Select the jurisdiction where you want to be licensed on the jurisdiction requirements map to find the right service.

Do you have at least a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or higher?

Can you request your academic documents directly from the school?

You are not eligible for PT licensure service without a minimum of a bachelor's degree in physical therapy. Please contact us if you have a post-secondary degree in physical therapy.

Educational Credential Review is the correct service for you.

Please contact us for more information.

Do you need an additional license?

Are you a US Citizen?

Are you a currently living in the US?

Do you know what kind of work permit/Visa you plan to use?

Are you a US Citizen?

Are you currently living in the US?

Do you know what kind of work permit/Visa you plan to use?

If you are not a United States citizen, but interested in working in the United States, there are a few options to legally enter and work in the country. There is no one path for every foreign national physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to enter the United States to work. Each individual will need to seek out information for his/her situation.

Please click here for important immigration and visa information.

Was your first degree in physical therapy from a CAPTE accredited program?

Have you had an education credentials review completed?

Has your education been deemed substantially equivalent?

Our Recommendation

Based on your answers we recommend that you visit our webpage with information about the following: 

  • State Licensure Requirements
  • Transferring your National Physical Therapy Examination Score
  • State-specific Jurisprudence Requirement
  • Licensure by Endorsement

The answers you provided are below:

Our Recommendation

Based on your answers we recommend that you visit our webpage with information about the following:

  • Immigration

The answers you provided are below:

Our Recommendation

Based on your answers we recommend that you visit our webpage with information about the following:

  • State Licensure Requirements
  • National Physical Therapy Examination.

The answers you provided are below:

Our Recommendation

Based on your answers we recommend that you visit our webpage with information about the following:

  • State Licensure Requirements
  • National Physical Therapy Examination
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language
  • Supervised Clinical Practice.

The answers you provided are below:

Our Recommendation

Based on your answers we recommend that you visit our webpage with information about the following:

  • Duke University’s Foreign Educated Physical Therapy Online Course
  • Planned Learning and Assistance Network
  • Post-graduate Experience Criteria and Use
  • College Level Examination Program
  • The transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Education Programs.

The answers you provided are below:

Our Recommendation

Based on your answers we recommend that you visit our webpage with information about the following:

  • Education Credentials Review
  • Credentialing Agencies
  • The Coursework Tools.

The answers you provided are below:

Our Recommendation

Based on your answers we recommend that you visit our webpage with information about the following:

  • Immigration

How to Apply

Follow the steps below.

Document Checklist

All documents submitted to FCCPT become FCCPT property and will not be returned. Please allow 5-7 business days for processing and authentication of documents.

Required
Not Required
Type 1 for Immigration
Type 1 for Licensure
Educational Credentials Review
PTA-EER
NY Credentials Verification
Documents submitted by Applicant
Notarized Attestation Form
Notarized Diplomas 
(PT and non-PT)
No Licensure Form
Documents submitted by Institution/Agency (Applicant must request documents)
Official Transcript of 
PT/PTA Education
Clinical Internship Documentation
Official Syllabi of 
PT/PTA Education
Official Transcript of any 
non-PT Higher Education
Official Verification of Eligibility Practice in Country of Education
Official verification of ALL foreign & U.S. licenses held since graduation (active & inactive).
NPTE Score Transfer if 
U.S. Licensed
TOEFL Scores

Downloadable Forms & Details

For Type 1, Educational Credentials Review, or PTA EER Services:

Notarized Attestation Form

After you complete the application for the New York Credentials Verification, download and complete this form; attach a passport-size photo; have the signed form notarized; and mail to FCCPT.

For New York State Verification Service:

Notarized Attestation Form

After you complete the application for the New York Credentials Verification, download and complete this form; attach a passport-size photo; have the signed form notarized; and mail to FCCPT.

New York No Licensure Form

Download, complete page 1 and mail or email to all foreign license/registration authorities where you hold licenses/registration. The licensure/registration authority is required to complete page 2 and send both pages of the form back to FCCPT with any supporting documents.

*Note: An attested copy of the diploma from the school, if sent directly to FCCPT, will be accepted in lieu of a notarized copy.

For Type 1, Educational Credentials Review, or PTA EER Services:

Academic Verification form

Download, complete and mail this form to all institutions of post-secondary (higher) education where you have completed coursework.

Clinical Internship Form

Download, complete, and mail it to your institution to report required information regarding the clinical internship completed in your physical therapy academic program.

Licensure Verification Form

If you require the Type 1 Review for the purpose of licensure only (not for immigration purposes), download, complete and upload this form to FCCPT.

For New York State Verification Service:

New York Request for Academic Credentials Verification Form*

Download, complete page 1 and mail or email to all foreign post-secondary, higher education schools where you have completed coursework. The schools complete page 2 and send both pages with your documents to FCCPT.

Clinical Internship Form

Download, complete, and mail it to your institution to report required information regarding the clinical internship completed in your physical therapy academic program.

New York Request for Licensure Verification Form*

Download, complete page 1 and mail or email to all foreign license/registration authorities where you hold licenses/registration. The licensure/registration authority is required to complete page 2 and send both pages of the form back to FCCPT with any supporting documents.

*Required: The New York Request forms ARE REQUIRED to be completed by the school and licensure/registration authority and returned to FCCPT with the required documents (with the exception of countries that are not able to legally complete 3rd party forms).

Foreign Language Documents & Translations

If documents are not in English:

  • Provide the original language document (sent by the issuing institution) and a certified English translation
  • Translations must include the translator’s attestation (signed/stamped) confirming accuracy and translator qualifications
  • Do not send pre-translated documents from third parties in place of official source documents. Translations supplement the originals.
Exam Scores, Special Forms (only if required), Secondary Education

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Scores

Send official scores if required by the service or a licensing board. FCCPT’s institution code is 8164 and the department is Undergraduate.

NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam) Scores

If applicable for licensure processes. If you have taken and passed the NPTE, have your official NPTE scores transferred to FCCPT.

CLEP (College Level Examination Program) Score Reports

If you have taken and passed one or more CLEP exams, have scores reported to FCCPT. FCCPT’s institution code is 1364.

Post Graduate Clinical Experience Form

Download, complete and mail to your employer (or former employer) to report required information regarding your post-graduate work experience.

General FedEx Form (optional)

If you want FCCPT to use your FedEx account to send documents related to the Type 1 Review (Type 1 Certificate) or Educational Credentials Review, download and complete this form, and upload to FCCPT.

Cancelation of Service Form

Download, complete, and upload to FCCPT to cancel an open service.

Change of Service Form

Download, complete, and upload to FCCPT to change an open service to a different service.

Change of State Request Form

Download, complete, and upload to FCCPT to change the recipient of an open service to a different state/jurisdiction or other recipient.

Included Report Request Form

Download, complete, and upload to FCCPT to request a recipient for an included report (for applicants who previously selected “none at this time” for the included report).

Authorization to Release Information (Release of Information Form)*optional

Download, print, fill out completely, sign, and have your signature notarized. Mail the form directly to FCCPT. FCCPT will not release information to anyone other than the applicant without this form.

FCCPT Education Revision Form

Download, complete, and upload 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 upload to FCCPT to add, remove, or correct information about your licenses to practice physical therapy.

FCCPT Re-Evaluation Statement Form

Download, complete and upload to FCCPT. List the reason for the re-evaluation request, additional courses completed, additional documents being sent and the source of the documents, and any other issue you would like FCCPT to consider. Verify which jurisdiction you want the re-evaluation to be sent. If you need extra space to include information you may attach additional pages.

FCCPT Personal Information Revision Form

Download, complete, and upload to FCCPT to add, change or correct personal information, such as name, country of birth, or date of birth, that you have previously submitted.

Secondary Education Documents

Only for countries where secondary credentials are part of the evaluation. We require secondary education documents to be sent directly to FCCPT by the external examination body and NOT the secondary school.

FCCPT evaluates only post-secondary education, as recognized in the country where you studied. Do not send secondary education documents to FCCPT unless specifically requested.

*Note: An attested copy of the diploma from the school, if sent directly to FCCPT, will be accepted in lieu of a notarized copy.

Submitting Documents

FCCPT accepts academic and licensure documents sent by mail or electronically via email. However, electronic submission does not guarantee acceptance, and all documents are subject to verification and authentication.

By Email

help@fccpt.org

The issuing institution must send documents as a PDF attachment from a verifiable email address.

By Mail

Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy
124 West Street South, 3rd Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA

Tips to Avoid Delays

Follow these instructions for document submission.

Direct Source Submission

Schools and licensure authorities must send official documents directly to FCCPT.

Notarized Attestation Form

Do not give your Notarized Attestation Page with Photo to your school. It must be submitted by the applicant.

Avoid 3rd Party Relay

Don’t have third parties pick up documents and forward them. FCCPT must verify origin.

Review Translation Requirements

Review and understand the requirements for translation of documents submitted in the native language.

Official Emails Only

Electronic documents must come from official institutional addresses. Personal email submissions (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Need additional Guidance on Submitting Documents?

Watch our video for helpful tips.

Fees & Timeframes

All payments are to be submitted via credit card at the time of application. FCCPT reserves the right to adjust the fee schedule and service timeframes at any time without notice.

Type 1 for Immigration
Processing Time
FEES (USD)
Type 1 for Immigration
Processing Time
~23-25 weeks
FEES (USD)
$1,340
Reactivation
Processing Time
~23-25 weeks
FEES (USD)
$1,000
Re-evaluation
Processing Time
~9 weeks
FEES (USD)
$870
Type 1 Renewal
Processing Time
~3 weeks
FEES (USD)
$515
Certificate Reissue
Processing Time
~3 weeks
FEES (USD)
$180
USCIS Status Letter
Processing Time
~3 weeks
FEES (USD)
$55
Expedited USCIS Status Letter
Processing Time
~1 week
FEES (USD)
$155
Type 1 for Licensure
Processing Time
FEES (USD)
Type 1 for Licensure
Processing Time
~23-25 weeks
FEES (USD)
$1,340
Reactivation
Processing Time
~23-25 weeks
FEES (USD)
$1,000
Re-evaluation
Processing Time
~9 weeks
FEES (USD)
$870
Type 1 Renewal
Processing Time
~3 weeks
FEES (USD)
$515
Certificate Reissue
Processing Time
~3 weeks
FEES (USD)
$180
Educational Credentials Review
Processing Time
FEES (USD)
Educational Credentials Review
Processing Time
~23-25 weeks
FEES (USD)
$1,240
Reactivation
Processing Time
~23-25 weeks
FEES (USD)
$930
Re-evaluation
Processing Time
~9 weeks
FEES (USD)
$800
Physical Therapist Assistant Educational Equivalency Review
Processing Time
FEES (USD)
PTA-EER
Processing Time
~23-25 weeks
FEES (USD)
$975
Reactivation
Processing Time
~23-25 weeks
FEES (USD)
$730
Re-evaluation
Processing Time
~9 weeks
FEES (USD)
$645
New York Credentials Verification
Processing Time
FEES (USD)
Credentials Verification
Processing Time
~3 weeks
FEES (USD)
$515
Reactivation
Processing Time
~3 weeks
FEES (USD)
$390
PLAN Services
FEES (USD)
PLAN Plus
$1,440
PLAN Standard
$670
PLAN Incremental
$335
Other Services
FEES (USD)
CWT Version Update
$1,135
Duplicate Report
$180
Grade Conversion
$105
Certified Documents
$80
Cancellation
$155
Change of Service Request
$155
Credit Card Chargeback
$155