Oh the joy of obtaining your licensure! Let’s face it – the process can be confusing especially when there isn’t a uniform manner across states in acquiring the sacred card. Since I am frequently asked about licensure, I thought I would try and give the basics. Hang on to your goniometer, here goes!
First step, do your research! Licensing for physical therapists varies a bit from occupational therapists, so I will try to point out the differences along the way to the best of my ability. No matter the type of therapist, you should contact the state licensing authority in which you are applying for and find out what steps are needed to be taken. You can find a majority of this information on the licensing authority’s website but a call can always help to clarify. Each state differs and may require more than just sitting for the boards. You may also need to complete a jurisprudence exam, too.
For occupational therapy graduates, your next step involves submitting an application to the NBCOT to sit for the exam. Then you will need to arrange for transcripts and fieldwork experience to be sent to them. Once this information is received by NBCOT, an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter will be sent to you. From there, you will be able to schedule the exam with Prometric.
For physical therapists, once you’ve done the research, complete all application materials for the jurisdiction you are applying for and send it in. Then register to take the boards. Once the state licensing authority approves, you will then receive the ATT letter stating that you are ready to schedule the NPTE through Prometric.
After the exam is taken, scores will be sent to the designated licensing authority. You will also need to make sure that school transcripts are sent to the state licensing authority to ensure completion of licensure.
For those wanting to work on a temporary licensure, I do give a word of caution. There are risks involved in traveling on a temp license and then (GASP!) failing the board exam. You will not, in most states, be able to continue working and in turn, might have monetary ramifications from the assignment having to end early. Quite frankly, there are quite a few graduates that simply shouldn’t travel on a temp license and will probably need the time to study. Do some soul searching and research before going this route and make sure you are speaking about all case scenarios with your recruiter.
If you’re wanting to work on temp license, contact the state licensing authority for their requirements. The licensure process typically involves obtaining information of where you are working so that the supervising PT/OT’s information can be provided. Each state will have different requirements and some will have different types of licenses prior to full licensure, i.e. licensed applicant, traineeship, etc. Do your work here so that you don’t hit any snags to slow up the process. Better yet, ask us, and Student Outreach will do their best to navigate those waters!
As for having multiple state licenses, this process gets pretty muddy as I have encountered differing information. What I have found and pass on to those graduates I work with is to apply for the second license after receiving your first one. The second one will be called a “license by endorsement” in most states. Multiple state licenses are a must for successful traveling therapists, but I strongly encourage you to find out how long each state of interest will generally take to process. Nothing hurts or jeopardizes an assignment more than sitting and waiting for a licensure to come through because of poor planning.
There is certainly more information that you will need to know so be sure to check out the following websites to help you out:
- http://www.apta.org/licensure/
- http://www.nbcot.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=8
- http://www.fsbpt.org/ExamCandidates.aspx
As mentioned earlier, feel free to contact Madelyn or myself on Aureus Medical’s Student Outreach team. We are here to help make that transition from school to work as easy as possible and find you a job to boot! What could be better than that? Good luck on the road to being a bona fide therapist!
Sun Hui (Sunny) Snook graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Truman State University and received a Master’s in Human Services from Bellevue University. She has been in the healthcare staffing field for 12 years, first working with nurses before moving to a nationwide work strategies consultant where her key responsibilities were to coach staffers and hospital managers on effective staffing. In 2009, Sunny started with Aureus Medical as an Account Manager in the Rehab Therapy division, working with both clients and prospective employees. In 2011, she moved to Student Outreach Coordinator. Sunny was named the 2011 Employee of the Year for C&A Industries, the parent company of Aureus Medical Group. Prior to working in healthcare staffing, she served as an addictions therapist and residential treatment coordinator for five years.