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Notice: Candidates must now apply online and may pay for services by credit card. Prior to attempting to apply online, please READ the instructions from the title Download Instructions.
Services Available through the FCCPT

The United States requires that an applicant meet certain criteria to reside in the U.S. and work as a physical therapist. To learn about the requirements you must meet, and, the process for submitting an application, please read ALL of the information and select the service that best meets your needs. All applications are required to be submitted online; this adds efficiencies to better serve you, the candidate. Candidates are encouraged to choose carefully prior to submitting an application, to avoid costly mistakes.

Table of Contents

Descriptions of Primary Services

Comprehensive Credentials Evaluation (Type I Certificate)
Visa Screen (Type II Certificate)
Educational Credentials Review
New York Verification Process
Descriptions of Related Services
Planned Learning and Assistance Network (P-L-A-N)
Reactivation
Re-evaluation
Duplicate Report
Copies
Status Report for USCIS
Appeals Process
Application Fee Schedule

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Descriptions of Primary Services

FCCPT Comprehensive Credentials Evaluation (Type I Certificate)
This service is primarily for the individual who has never been licensed to practice physical therapy in the U.S. and who will need a visa that permits employment from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The FCCPT Comprehensive Credentials Evaluation (Type I Certificate) service has two components. The first is a comprehensive evaluation based on FCCPT’s approved guidelines. These guidelines meet or exceed the minimum credential requirements for licensure in most U.S. jurisdictions and for USCIS. The evaluation determines whether or not your education is substantially equivalent to a first professional degree in physical therapy in the U.S. Second, the service also verifies compliance with USCIS requirements for a Healthcare Worker Certificate by documenting compliance with English language proficiency requirements and verification of eligibility to practice in the country of education. The Type I Certificate is a Health Care Worker C Certificate required by USCIS.

The following jurisdiction licensing boards require all aspects of the Type I certification process: Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C.

Applicants should check the licensure requirements in the jurisdiction prior to applying for services.

Requirements for a Type I applications include:

  1. Copies of high school and college diplomas or leaving certificates which are notarized as true copies of the original.
  2. Notarized attestation form and photo from applicant with signature.
  3. Official transcripts/marksheets sent directly from the institution for ALL higher education.
  4. Offical course descriptions or syllabi sent directly from the institution for all physical therapy coursework. (FCCPT already has syllabuses for some schools and some graduation years in its library. You should check “View Progress” after the application has been submitted to determine if FCCPT already has the appropriate syllabus).
  5. Verification of all licenses and registrations showing eligibility to practice in country of education, sent directly from the appropriate agency. (If licensed in the U.S., verification of U.S. licensure from the jurisdiction, and NPTE score transfer is required).
  6. English proficiency examinations (TOEFL, TWE & TSE or TOEFL iBT) scores are to be sent directly from the testing agency.
  7. Fee = U.S. $660.00. A surcharge is assessed for jurisdictions that require a conversion to a state specific tool, (California, Nebraska, New Jersey, Texas). Applicants should check jurisdictional requirements.

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FCCPT Visa Credentials Certification (Type II Certificate)
This certificate is required by the USCIS for those individuals who are ; currently licensed in the U.S., do not hold a current Type I Certificate and are seeking adjustment of visa status or need to produce a Healthcare Worker Certificate to maintain visa status. The review process focuses on the verification of education (certificates, diplomas, transcripts and degrees), the verification of all licenses to practice physical therapy, and the demonstration of English language proficiency.

If you are currently licensed in the U.S. as a physical therapist, are residing in the U.S., and you want to change your status with USCIS or are required to produce a Healthcare Worker Certificate to maintain your status with USCIS, you should apply for an FCCPT Visa Credential Certification (Type II Certificate).

The Type II Certificate is not accepted by U.S. jurisdictions for licensing purposes.

Requirements for a Type II applications include:

  1. Copies of high school and college diplomas or leaving certificates which are notarized as true copies of the original.
  2. Notarized attestation form and photo from applicant with signature.
  3. Official transcripts/marksheets sent directly from the institution for ALL higher education.
  4. Verification of all U.S. licenses sent directly from the appropriate agency.
  5. NPTE score transfer.
  6. English proficiency examinations (TOEFL, TWE & TSE or TOEFL iBT) scores are to be sent directly from the testing agency.
  7. Fee = U.S. $465.00.

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FCCPT Educational Credentials Review
This review is used primarily for licensure, but may be used for academic admissions. If you are planning to reside indefinitely in one U.S. jurisdiction and are seeking a license to work in that jurisdiction, you should apply for an FCCPT Educational Credentials Review.

The FCCPT Educational Credentials Review is a course-by-course evaluation and comparison of your educational credentials based on the requirements of the specific U.S. licensing jurisdiction where you are seeking licensure. The evaluation determines whether or not your education is substantially equivalent to the first professional degree in physical therapy in the U.S. It is not used for obtaining a visa; it is used for licensure and educational purposes only.

The Educational Credentials Review is not accepted by USCIS for immigration purposes.

Requirements for Educational Credentials Review applications include:

  1. Copies of high school and college diplomas or leaving certificates, which are notarized as true copies of the original.
  2. Notarized attestation form and photo from applicant with signature.
  3. Official transcripts/marksheets sent directly from the institution for ALL higher education.
  4. Official course descriptions or syllabi sent directly from the institution for all physical therapy coursework. (Check "View Progress" after application is submitted to determine if the FCCPT already has this on file in our library. If a copy exists it does not need to be sent again).
  5. Fee = U.S. $465.00. A surcharge is assessed for jurisdictions that require a conversion to a state specific tool, (California, Nebraska, New Jersey, Texas). Applicants should check jurisdictional requirements.

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FCCPT New York Verification Process

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires applicants for licensure as physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to obtain independent verification of the authenticity of their credentials from a NYSED-approved Credential Verification Organization (CVO). FCCPT is an approved CVO by NYSED to verify credentials in these two professions.

If you are a foreign educated physical therapist or physical therapist assistant seeking a license to practice in New York State, you need to complete an application for New York State Credentials Verification and submit it to FCCPT.

There is a separate, additional application for licensure in New York State, the Application for Licensure and First Registration. In order to be licensed in New York State, you must complete that application and send it to NYSED, not FCCPT. It is available at http://www.op.nysed.gov/pt.htm.

Requirements for New York Verification Process include:

  1. Copies of high school and college diplomas or leaving certificates, which are notarized as true copies of the original.
  2. Notarized attestation form and photo from applicant with signature.
  3. New York State Credentials Verification Request (one form for each higher education institution).
  4. New York State Licensure/Registration Verification Request (one form for each foreign license or registration).
  5. Fee = U.S. $355.00

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Descriptions of Related Services

Once you have applied for any of the previous primary services, you may need some additional related services. To access these service requests, log into your account and request a "related service."

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Planned Learning and Assistance Network (P-L-A-N)
A Supplemental Resource Service for Remediaton

The FCCPT has launched a new service which will assist foreign applicants whose educational credentials evaluation has been found to be not equivalent to the first professional degree in physical therapy in the United States, or who have not met specific requirements in a jurisdiction.

This program is designed to assist applicants to identify appropriate educational coursework to meet the minimum requirements for U.S. educational equivalency. P-L-A-N provides the following services:
  1. A consultation to review and interpret the final Coursework Evaluation Tool findings.
  2. A list of all core requirements that need to be completed.
  3. Recommendations of how and where to fill these core requirements.
  4. A study plan to guide the applicant for completion within an allotted two-year timeframe.
  5. General education review and pre-approval of coursework to be taken.
  6. Professional education:
    a) List institutions within the U.S. that will offer the content required.
    b) Pre-approve coursework to match identified deficiencies.
    c) Preview courese descriptions from foreign programs that the candidate may find to match deficiencies.
  7. Collect and collate the re-evaluation materials for candidate when completed.
  8. Fee for full service P-L-A-N = U.S. $350.00, Applicants who do not wish to apply for the full services may purchase portions of the service itemized 1 through 7 at a rate based upon 30-minute time frames. Fee for Hourly services = U.S. $100.00 per 1/2 hour.

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Reactivation
When all of the required documentation has not been provided to the FCCPT by the appropriate source within 12 months, a file will expire. The file may be reactivated by request and payment of U.S. $210.00. The FCCPT recommends that a file not be reactivated until all of the requirements can be fulfilled.

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Re-evaluation
You may request a re-evaluation after a report has been issued if you have additional information not available at the time of the review. If you have completed additional educational requirements or wish to have additional educational documents reviewed after your report was completed, submit an application for re-evaluation. The following guidelines apply.

  1. Additional information may consist of curriculum/course descriptions for courses on transcripts, evidence of missing courses from transcripts, additional coursework taken (whether originally or in response to deficiencies noted in the initial review), clinical education certificates, etc.
  2. Professional education coursework must be a component of a program leading to a recognized entry-level degree in physical therapy.
  3. General education coursework may be taken as a component of a non-physical therapy degree programs completed at an accredited college or university. The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) scores can also be submitted. See http://www.collegeboard.com for information on CLEP.
  4. Additional information must be provided directly to FCCPT from the issuing institution.
  5. A re-evaluation fee must accompany the request for re-evaluation. If it is determined that the report was prepared in error prior to the final documents, the fee will be refunded.
  6. Fee = U.S. $210.00
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Request for duplicate reports
To obtain duplicate reports, submit your Request for Duplicate Reports to FCCPT. Fee = U.S. $55.00, Jurisdictions that require a conversion, (California, Nebraska, New Jersey, Texas) will be required to also pay the $50.00 surcharge.

If a request for a report to a state that requires a conversion is made after the initial report has been completed, then a re-evaluation is required (California, Nebraska, New Jersey, Texas).

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Request for Copies
Once documents have been sent to the FCCPT, these are the property of the FCCPT. You may request copies of documents in your file to be certified and sent to a third party. There is a fee of U.S. $25.00.

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Request a status report for USCIS
If you want to obtain a status report for USCIS, you should submit the Request for Status Report and fax to 703-684-8715 with the page from the USCIS letter that indicates your deadline or appointment date. We will prepare and mail it to you within 15 days of receipt via regular mail. If you wish to expedite the report, you may submit a $50.00 fee and we will mail it within five days of receipt.

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Appeals Process
We strive to ensure that you receive a fair evaluation of your educational credentials. After your educational credentials evaluation is complete and a report has been sent to you and a re-evaluation has been completed, you may appeal in writing to the FCCPT Board of Directors requesting a review of the decision. Below are the guidelines and procedures for submitting an appeal.

  1. You should request an appeal in writing to the chair, FCCPT Board of Directors, within 30 days after receipt of the report. The request should outline your appeal and the reasons for the appeal.
  2. A fee of $500.00 must accompany the appeal. If it is determined that the report was prepared in error, the fee will be refunded.
  3. The chair shall appoint three members of the board to serve as an ad hoc appeals committee. The committee, called the Appeals Review Committee, shall convene to consider your appeal, review materials and make a final recommendation to the Board of Directors. Meetings may be held electronically.
  4. No new information shall be permitted in conjunction with your appeal to the Board of Directors. Should you present new information, the Board of Directors will refer the matter back to the original reviewer(s) for consideration, and a re-evaluation fee will be charged. See application for re-evaluation.
  5. Copies of your file, work papers and reports will be sent to members of the Appeals Review Committee for their review. Any committee member who may have been consulted during the course of the review should excuse her/him self from the discussion and deliberations.
  6. The Appeals Review Committee may interview the initial reviewer(s) to review the background on your file and outcome of the original review.
  7. The Appeals Review Committee may interview you or your designee in order to respond to questions.
  8. If you wish to have legal counsel present at a meeting of the Appeals Review Committee or the Board of Directors meeting, then FCCPT shall also have legal counsel present and an FCCPT legal counsel fee of $600 per meeting shall be assessed and collected from you prior to the meeting. If the Board of Directors reverses the opinion of the earlier reviewer's decision and has collected the legal counsel fee, then the fee of $600 per meeting shall be refunded to you.
  9. If you wish to have another party present your case, inform FCCPT in writing prior to the scheduled meeting.
  10. All submissions to the Appeals Review Committee either by you or your designee must be in writing, signed by both yourself and any representative.
  11. The Appeals Review Committee shall consider whether documents with additional information were considered in the process as well as whether such information may be material to the outcome of the decision, and shall make a report and recommendation to the FCCPT Board of Directors.
  12. Once the Board of Directors has heard from you and the Appeals Review Committee and had the opportunity to question both parties, it will adjourn the meeting and go into an executive session to deliberate.
  13. The Board of Directors shall issue an opinion and decision in writing, addressed to you and the original reviewer(s).
  14. The Board of Directors’ opinion and decision shall be final.

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Application Fee Schedule

Description

Fee (USD)

FCCPT Comprehensive Credentials Evaluation (Type I) (1) $660.00
FCCPT Visa Credentials Verification Certificate (Type II) (2) $465.00
FCCPT Educational Credentials Review (3) $465.00
New York Verification Process $355.00
Planned Learning and Assistance Network $350.00
P-L-A-N increments of 1/2 hour $100.00
Reactivation (4) $210.00
Re-evaluation (5) $210.00
Duplicate Reports $55.00
Fees for states that require conversion of credentials to a second state form: California, Nebraska, New Jersey, Texas $50.00
Requests for copies for states that require conversion after first review has been completed and mailed = re-evaluation $210.00
Photocopies of original documents notarized by FCCPT $25.00
Change of Service Requests $100.00
Late Fees $100.00

Important Note:
Please enclose a certified check or money order made payable to FCCPT. Do not send cash or personal checks. FCCPT reserves the right to adjust the fee schedule at any time without notice. To make Credit Card payment:

  1. FCCPT Comprehensive Credentials Evaluation Certificate (Type I) includes certificate and report forwarded to applicant and one state. If additional report(s) are required, a duplicate report fee will be charged.
  2. FCCPT Visa Credentials Verification Certificate (Type II) includes certificate for submission to the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services.
  3. FCCPT Educational Credentials Review includes report forwarded to applicant and one state. If additional report(s) are required, a dupicate report fee will be charged.
  4. Reactivation Fee to reinstate expired application.
  5. Re-review of evaluation based on new information provided by applicant.
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.