If you need help studying for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free NPTE practice test!
NPTE Eligibility
Before you can register to take the NPTE exam, you’ll have to meet the requirements below:
- You need to be at least 18 years old
- You need an appropriate degree from a CAPTE-accredited institution
- You need to be approved by the licensing authority in your jurisdiction
If you meet these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the NPTE?
There are two different NPTE exams you can take: The Physical Therapist (PT) and the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). While each exam has a different time limit and number of questions, they both are split into sections, with 45 multiple-choice questions in each section. You’ll also be given a 15-minute break after the second section.
Let’s take a closer look at each exam:
NPTE-PT Exam
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 225 multiple-choice questions total, but only 180 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 45 unscored questions on the NPTE-PT exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The questions are grouped into two types: body system questions and nonsystem questions.
BODY SYSTEMS
134-174 questions
- Physical Therapy Examination
38-50 questions
These questions focus on the types and applications of each system, including outcome measures.
- Foundations for Evaluation, Differential Diagnosis, and Prognosis
51-66 questions
These questions focus on your knowledge about diseases/conditions of each system.
- Interventions
45-58 questions
These questions focus on the interventions of each system and their impact on other systems.
These are the systems covered:
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary systems
22-27 questions
- Musculoskeletal system
44-54 questions
- Neuromuscular and nervous systems
39-48 questions
- Integumentary system
8-11 questions
- Metabolic and endocrine systems
4-6 questions
- Gastrointestinal system
3-6 questions
- Genitourinary system
2-5 questions
- Lymphatic system
4-7 questions
- System interactions
8-10 questions
2. NONSYSTEM
21-29 questions
- Equipment, devices and technology
5-6 questions
- Therapeutic modalities
4-6 questions
- Safety and protection
5-7 questions
- Professional responsibilities
4-5 questions
- Research and evidence-based practice
3-5 questions
NPTE-PTA Exam
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 180 multiple-choice questions total, but only 140 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 40 unscored questions on the NPTE-PTA exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The questions are grouped into two types: body system questions and nonsystem questions.
BODY SYSTEMS
92-137 questions
- Physical Therapy Examination
23-34 questions
These questions focus on the types and applications of each system, including outcome measures.
- Foundations for Evaluation, Differential Diagnosis, and Prognosis
35-53 questions
These questions focus on your knowledge about diseases/conditions of each system.
- Interventions
34-50 questions
These questions focus on the interventions of each system and their impact on other systems.
These are the systems covered:
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary systems
20-27 questions
- Musculoskeletal system
31-40 questions
- Neuromuscular and nervous systems
27-35 questions
- Integumentary system
3-8 questions
- Metabolic and endocrine systems
4-6 questions
- Gastrointestinal system
0-4 questions
- Genitourinary system
0-4 questions
- Lymphatic system
2-6 questions
- System interactions
5-7 questions
2. NONSYSTEM
21-29 questions
- Equipment, devices and technolog
5-6 questions
- Therapeutic modalities
4-6 questions
- Safety and protection
5-7 questions
- Professional responsibilities
4-5 questions
- Research and evidence-based practice
3-5 questions
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam!
To get started, you’ll need to log in to you FSBPT profile and select the NPTE button. You’ll be led through the registration process, which involves paying the $485 exam fee.
Once you’ve registered for the exam, you still need to be approved to take it. When you’re approved, you’ll be sent an Authorization to Test via email.
NPTE Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
NPTE Passing Score
The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
You will need a score of 600 to pass the test.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the exam is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test on the next available testing date.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay the full testing fee every time you retake the test, and you can only take the NPTE exam up to six times.
FAQs
How many questions are on the NPTE exam?
The NPTE-PT exam contains 225 questions, while the NPTE-PTA exam contains 180 questions.
What is NPTE?
NPTE stands for National Physical Therapy Exam.
What is the time limit for the NPTE exam?
The NPTE-PT exam is timed at 5 hours, while the NPTE-PTA exam is timed at 5 hours.
What is the passing score for the NPTE?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 600 to pass.
How much does the NPTE cost?
The exam fee is $485.