The examination acceptable and approved for use under the provisions of RCW 18.74.035 is the NPTE.

1. (1) For a physical therapist a passing score is considered to be one of the following:

   1. (a) Beginning November 8, 1995, the criterion referenced passing point shall be set to equal a scaled score of 600 based on a scale ranging from 200 to 800.
   2. (b) Beginning February 28, 1991, through July 12, 1995, not less than 68 percent of the raw score.
   3. (c) Prior to February 28, 1991, not less than 60 percent raw score on each of the three examination parts.

2. (2) For a physical therapist assistant a passing score is considered to be one of the following:

   1. (a) Beginning November 8, 1995, the criterion referenced passing point shall be set to equal a scaled score of 600 based on a scale ranging from 200 to 800.
   2. (b) Prior to November 8, 1995, a passing score is answering correctly 70 percent of the total number of questions.
3. (3) If a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant candidate fails to receive a passing score, he or she will be required to retake the NPTE.
4. (4) An applicant may take the NPTE a maximum of six times, except that applicants who receive two very low scores on the exam will not be allowed to test again. A very low score is defined as performing at or below chance level (scale score 400 and below).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023, 18.130,077, and 2023 c 425. WSR 25-09-054, s 246-915-030, filed 4/11/25, effective 12/31/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023 and chapter 18.74 RCW, RCW 18.340.020. WSR 18-15-067, § 246-915-030, filed 7/17/18, effective 8/17/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023. WSR 08-17-026, § 246-915-030, filed 8/13/08, effective 8/13/08; WSR 96-13-008, § 246-915-030, filed 6/6/96, effective 6/7/96; WSR 92-16-082 (Order 294B), § 246-915-030, filed 8/4/92, effective 9/4/92; WSR 91-14-006 (Order 178B), § 246-915-030, filed 6/21/91, effective 7/22/91; WSR 91-05-094 (Order 144B), § 246-915-030, filed 2/20/91, effective 3/23/91; WSR 91-02-011 (Order 103B), recodified as § 246-915-030, filed 12/21/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.74 RCW. WSR 90-16-070 (Order 074), § 308-42-045, filed 7/30/90, effective 8/30/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.023. WSR 86-19-063 (Order PM 619), § 308-42-045, filed 9/16/86; WSR 84-17-032 (Order PL 477), § 308-42-045, filed 8/8/84. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.74.020. WSR 83-05-032 (Order PL 426), § 308-42-045, filed 2/10/83; WSR 81-19-071 (Order PL 384), § 308-42-045, filed 9/15/81; Order PL 191, § 308-42-045, filed 5/29/75.]