NPTE
Offered by Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is the licensure exam for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The PT exam is 225 multiple-choice questions in five sections of 45 (including pretest items) with 5 hours of testing time. The PTA exam is 180 questions in four sections and 4 hours.
EXAM AT A GLANCE
Questions
180
Testing time
30
minutes
Sections
4
Delivery
Prometric test centers on FSBPT's published exam dates
Cost
$485
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What the exam covers
Cardiovascular and pulmonary systems
Musculoskeletal system
Neuromuscular and nervous systems
Integumentary, other systems, and non-system domains (see current NPTE content outline)
About the NPTE exam
FSBPT offers the NPTE on fixed dates four times a year (January, April, July, October) at Prometric. You must be approved by a licensing jurisdiction and pay FSBPT plus Prometric fees. Scenario-based items appear at the end of each section.
Who it’s for
Graduates of accredited PT or PTA programs seeking licensure in a U.S. jurisdiction.
- Testing time
- PT: 5 hours testing (5 hours 30 minutes appointment). PTA: 4 hours testing (4 hours 30 minutes appointment). 15-minute scheduled break after section 2
- Passing score
- FSBPT scaled passing standard (reported to your jurisdiction); not a simple percentage
- Cost
- $485 USD FSBPT exam fee for PT or PTA, plus Prometric sitting fee (PT listed at $112 in the 2026 candidate handbook) and state license fees
- Validity
- Passing the NPTE is for licensure; licenses renew with your state board
- Prerequisites
- Jurisdiction approval and FSBPT registration by published deadlines; accredited PT/PTA education (or jurisdiction-approved equivalent)
Official exam page· Details verified September 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
How to prepare
01
Download the current NPTE-PT or NPTE-PTA content outline (2024 practice-analysis weights) and map it onto a weekly calendar.
02
Register early — missed jurisdiction or payment deadlines push you to the next quarterly date.
03
Practice mixed sections of 45 items; scenario sets at the end of a section are independent questions sharing a stem.
04
Use the scheduled break after section 2; unscheduled breaks eat testing time.
05
Take at least two full-length timed exams under 5-hour (PT) conditions before exam week.
FAQ
How often is the NPTE offered?
Four times a year (January, April, July, October) on dates FSBPT publishes. Deadlines are strict; missing one usually means waiting a full quarter.
How should I plan NPTE study?
Most graduates use a 8–12 week dedicated plan after (or overlapping late) clinicals: content by system, then mixed timed sections, then full-length exams. Fit the plan to the next date you can actually register for.
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