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For a candidate who has graduated from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited physical therapist education program in order to obtain a license to practice physical therapy, a candidate must:

• Submit the application for licensure to the jurisdiction in which s/he hopes to practice physical therapy, and
• Receive a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) offered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Each jurisdiction (such as the state of Delaware) may have additional requirements to complete prior to qualifying to receive a professional license. Candidates are responsible for ensuring compliance with all jurisdictional laws/statutes relative to licensure.

Recommended steps to follow in seeking a physical therapist license are:

• Early in your final year, visit the licensure board in the state in which you wish to practice physical therapy, and review/begin completion of the application requirements. Web-links to each state are available through the FSBPT website.
  • Some jurisdictions will require verification of program completion. Contact the Department of Physical Therapy for completion of forms or documents requiring an official university signature/seal.
  • All applications for licensure will require an official transcript indicating conferral of your degree. Requests for official transcripts are completed online through the Registrar’s Office. (Note: Official transcripts are not available immediately upon conferral of degree. Graduates must check the UD Registrar’s website for date by which conferral will appear on official transcript. Transcripts must NOT be ordered until after that time.)
• Register for the NPTE via the FSBPT website, to work through the testing process.

Information for those applying through the State of Delaware:

• State of Delaware – PT/PTA New Licensure Instructions

The program has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following:
CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website at www.fsbpt.org.