22 Tex. Admin. Code § 329.2 – License by Examination

(a) Requirements. An applicant applying for licensure by examination must:
1. (1) meet the requirements as stated in §329.1 of this title (relating to General Licensure Requirements and Procedures); and
2. (2) pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for physical therapists or physical therapist assistants with the score set by the board. Score reports must be sent directly to the board by the authorized score reporting service.
(b) Notification of exam score. The board will notify applicants in writing of the exam score.
1. (1) If an applicant passes the exam, the board will include a permanent license with the score notification.
2. (2) If an applicant fails the exam, a re-examination application and fee is required for a subsequent examination.
(c) An applicant may take the examination for PT or PTA licensure only after the application process is complete and all requirements are met.
(d) Applying for licensure in more than one state. An applicant who applies for licensure by exam in another state, but does not receive a license from any other state, may apply for licensure by exam in Texas. The applicant must meet all other requirements for licensure in Texas, and must have the score report sent directly to the board from the authorized score reporting service.
(e) If an examinee has failed the physical therapy examination and wishes to take the physical therapist assistant examination, the examinee may apply under the Act, §453.203.
(f) Re-examination.
1. (1) First re-examination. An applicant who fails the exam the first time is eligible to take the examination a second time after submitting a re-exam application and fee.
2. (2) Second or subsequent re-examination. An applicant who fails the exam twice or more must complete additional education before taking the exam again. The amount of additional education is set forth in the attached chart. To be eligible to register for the exam again, the applicant must submit a letter that identifies the area(s) of weakness and describes the plan that addresses the weakness(s). The letter must be accompanied by proof that the additional education has been successfully completed. Additional education may be one or more of the following:
  1. (A) A commercial review course.
  2. (B) An individual tutorial. The completed tutorial must be signed by the tutor and notarized, and include the tutor's curriculum vitae. If the applicant is applying for a PT license, the tutor must be a licensed PT. If the applicant is applying for a PTA license, the tutor must be a licensed PT, or a licensed PTA who is associated with a Texas PTA program.
  3. (C) Board-approved continuing competence (CCU) activities.
    Attached Graphic
3. (3) A person who is currently licensed in good standing in another state and who must retake the national exam to meet Texas score requirements is not required to complete additional education.
(g) Failure of PT exam. An applicant who fails the physical therapy examination may apply for licensure as a PTA and take the physical therapist assistant examination if he meets all other requirements for licensure.
(h) License upgrading. An applicant who was licensed under the grandfather clause may take the NPTE to upgrade his or her score. The applicant must submit a written request and the examination registration materials and the appropriate fee.

Source Note:The provisions of this §329.2 adopted to be effective November 16, 2000, 25 TexReg 11286; amended to be effective August 15, 2001, 26 TexReg 6021; amended to be effective September 18, 2006, 31 TexReg 8000; amended to be effective September 17, 2009, 34 TexReg 6332.