Frequently Asked Questions about the FCCPT Visa Screening Process (Type II Certificate)

How can I renew my Type II Certificate?
As of Septemeber 1, 2009, the FCCPT has suspended the acceptance of applications for the Type II certifications, thus an applicant who wishes to renew their USCIS certification must apply for the Type I comprehensive review.

If an applicant has used the Type II certificate for USCIS purposes, then it does not expire so a renewal is not required. If the certificate has not been used within the 5 year time frame the Type I must be applied for.

What is the Type II certificate?
The Type II certificate was designed to allow canidates who were already licensed in the US when the initial USCIS regulation for Healthcare worker certification was enacted to allow US licensees a streamlined process to change visa status. It is a “Healthcare Worker certificate”. The Type II process did not include an evaluation of educational equivalency, thus did not provide all of the documentation asked for by USCIS for new visa applicants, and we therefore phased out in 2009.

The Type II process is for USCIS only, and does not result in an educational review for licensure purposes.

Why must documents come directly from the School registrar or licensing agency?
To allow the FCCPT to verify the authenticity of all academic credentials (transcripts/mark sheets/grade lists/etc. and syllabus/course descriptions/detailed course content outlines) Documents must be mailed directly from the official offices, and be accompanied by the forms you have sent.

• Request for Academic Credentials Verification (page one to be filled out by applicant, page two to be completed by registrar).

To allow FCCPT to verify the authenticity of all physical therapy licenses/registration from the country where the applicant’s physical therapy education was completed, please forward the following forms to the appropriate institution(s):

• Request for Verification of Physical Therapy License (page one to be filled out by applicant, page two to be completed by regulatory authority).

Do I need to send the transcripts/mark sheets for all of my higher ed?
No, for the Type II process, we require only the final official transcript showing the PT degree has been conferred.

How can I provide documentation of English Language Proficiency?

1. Passing scores on the TOEFL, TWE, TSE and/or Internet-based TOEFL (IBT).
2. If you pass the composite of the TOEFL but not the speaking you can submit a Speaking score from another exam and this will be combined with the first score.
   • The US federal regulations specify that foreign educated physical therapists must pass the TOEFL examinations.
   • Federal regulations do not permit substitution of other English examinations for TOEFL. Official score reports of the TOEFL, TWE, TSE and/or IBT must be sent directly from ETS.
   • Contact ETS through their web site www.ets.org to take these tests and have the results forwarded directly to FCCPT.
   • The FCCPT Institution code is 8164.

What are the Required Documents for the Type II Process?
Download the required necessary forms for the Visa Screening Process (Type II Certificate) here.

1. Application Checklist
2. Request for Academic Credentials Verification (page one to be filled out by applicant, page two to be completed by registrar)
3. Request for Verification of Physical Therapy License (page one to be filled out by applicant, page two to be completed by regulatory authority)
4. Release of Information form *optional
5. Type II Attestation form (with recent passport photo)
6. TOEFL Score Reports
7. NPTE Score Report from www.fsbpt.org

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