Current through September 24, 2024
In addition to having filed an application, an individual
seeking licensure shall be required to pass an examination.
(1) The Board adopts as its examination for
physical therapists and physical therapist assistants the National Physical
Therapy Examinations endorsed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical
Therapy or successor examinations.
(2) Examination Application
(a) All applicants for examination shall
apply for admission directly with the Federation of State Boards of Physical
Therapy (FSBPT) by contacting:
Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Telephone (703)
299-3100 509 Wythe Street Fax (703) 299-3110
Alexandria, VA 22314 Internet www.fsbpt.org
Application forms and instructions will be provided by the
Board's administrative office.
(b) All educational requirements must be
completed prior to filing an application for licensure or
examination.
(3)
Eligibility Approval
(a) Only a person who has
filed the required application, paid the fees, and been notified of acceptance
by the Board shall be permitted to take the examination.
(b) The FSBPT will compile an applicant list
and forward to the Board. The Board will review the applicant list provided by
the FSBPT, determine the eligible applicants, and notify the FSBPT of such
determination.
(c) An examination
shall be administered only to bona fide candidates for initial licensure or
candidates who are not licensed in another jurisdiction and do not have a
qualifying exam score in another jurisdiction.
(d) An applicant for licensure and/or
examination who has not met the requirements as set forth in T.C.A. §
63-13-306 and §
63-13-307 shall be refused
permission to take the examination.
(4) Eligibility Notification
(a) The FSBPT will compile eligibility lists
and forward to the Computer Based Testing Provider. The FSBPT will send a
letter to each candidate containing a toll-free number to call to schedule the
examination.
(b) The candidate will
contact the Computer Based Testing Provider to schedule the examination at the
location of their choice.
1. Candidates must
take the examination within sixty (60) days of the date on the eligibility
letter provided by the FSBPT. If the candidate does not take the examination
within this time period, they will be removed from the eligibility listings of
the Computer Based Testing Provider and will be required to begin the
examination application process again.
2. Candidates may reschedule the examination
up to two (2) working days prior to the scheduled test date by calling the
toll-free number provided to them in their eligibility letter without penalty.
Candidates who fail to give such notice to the Computer Based Testing Provider,
and who fail to sit for the Examination as scheduled, will forfeit the
examination fees paid and will be required to begin the examination application
process.
(5)
Administration
(a) Candidates must arrive at
the test site at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to their scheduled
appointment with the Computer Based Testing Provider.
(b) Candidates must have government-issued
photo identification (passport, driver's license, etc.) as well as another
piece of identification which contains a signature.
(c) All candidates will be thumb-printed and
photographed at the testing center.
(d) All sessions will be
videotaped.
(6) Passing
level. Candidates qualifying for licensure by examination must pass the
examination with a criterion reference passing point. This passing point shall
be set to equal a scaled score of six hundred (600) based on a scale ranging
from two hundred to eight hundred (200-800).
(7) Results
(a) No information regarding pass/fail status
will be available to candidates at the test site.
(b) Upon receipt of the examination group
score reports in the Board's administrative office, the results will be mailed
to each candidate with ten (10) working days. Scores will not be provided
except in writing and by mail.
(c)
Hand scoring services are available from the FSBPT at the request of the
candidate. The FSBPT may charge a fee for this service.
(8) Retaking
(a) A candidate who fails the examination is
eligible to repeat the licensure examination process described in this rule. An
applicant who fails to qualify for licensure after a total of two (2)
examination attempts, in any state, shall wait at least three (3) months after
the last unsuccessful attempt before reapplying for examination.
(b) If the individual neglects, fails to
pass, or refuses to take the examination within twelve (12) months after being
deemed eligible to sit for the examination, the application shall be denied and
the file shall be closed. However, such individual may thereafter, make a new
application pursuant to Rule 1150-01-.04, 1150-01-.05, 1150-01-.07, and
1150-01-.08.
(9)
Effective July 1, 2015, the Board will no longer approve individualized
structured remediation plans. However, those remediation plans already in
effect prior to July 1, 2015 must be completed by the applicant. An applicant
who fails the examination more than two (2) times after July 1, 2015 must
submit proof of ten (10) hours of additional clinical training and ten (10)
hours of additional coursework to the Board administrator before the Board will
approve a reapplication for subsequent testing beyond two attempts.
Authority: T.C.A. §§
4-5-202,
4-5-204, 63-13-108,
63-13-301,
63-13-304,
63-13-306, and
63-13-307.
