How to Work in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist

Physical therapy is a rewarding career field, and working as a physical therapist in the United States has many benefits. Among these benefits are decent annual pay and job stability. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists in the U.S. make between $61,930 and $127,110, with the average annual salary being $95,620. If you received your physical therapist education outside of the United States, you may be wondering how to work in the U.S. and take advantage of these benefits. Our guide gives you important information about this and answers essential questions such as:

• What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist?
• How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist in the U.S.?
• How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist in the U.S.?
• Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist in the U.S.?
• What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Physical Therapists?
• What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Physical Therapists?
• Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist?

This process involves several steps and requires the evaluation of your foreign credentials. It’s important to note that states handle physical therapist licensing individually, so you should have in mind the state you wish to work in as you review the components of this process. Steps for becoming a foreign-educated physical therapist in the United States include the following:

1. Ensuring your foreign education meets U.S. standards for physical therapists is the first step in this process. You will need to obtain a credential evaluation through the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) by submitting your official academic transcripts and other documents, such as certifications and diplomas, directly to the agency. You may need a certified translation of your original documents for this process. Once you have received the results of your credential evaluation, the FCCPT will recommend you progress to the next steps or that you complete additional education requirements via the agency’s PLAN program to ensure you are ready to work as a physical therapist in the U.S.
2. After meeting all educational requirements for physical therapists, your next step is to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Every individual that wishes to be licensed as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant must pass this exam, as it is a test that evaluates all of the skills obtained during your physical therapist education. You must pass the NPTE to be eligible for a physical therapist license in any state, and you cannot practice as a physical therapist without a license.
3. Once you have taken and passed the NPTE, you will need to consult with the specific state that you wish to work in for details on licensing. Every individual that wishes to work as a physical therapist must have a license to legally practice in that state; states do have different license requirements, such as fees, additional state exams, and the process for submitting your test scores and proof of education, so check with your state physical therapist licensing board for more information.
4. The final step to becoming a foreign-educated physical therapist in the U.S. is ensuring that you are legally permitted to work in the United States via proper immigration procedures. Physical therapy is considered a healthcare profession, so you will likely have the choice of a few different visas, or you may be eligible for a green card directly based on your situation. A consultation with an immigration lawyer will help you further understand this process.

As soon as you are properly licensed as a physical therapist and you have obtained a visa or green card, you may start working in the U.S. as a physical therapist. Be sure to stay informed about ongoing state licensing and general immigration requirements.

How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist in the U.S.?

The cost of working as a foreign-educated physical therapist in the U.S. includes the cost of obtaining a credential evaluation, passing the NPTE, applying for state licensing, and obtaining the proper immigration documents. If you need to take additional educational courses, these may add to your overall cost, and consulting with a legal immigration professional will also increase the cost of this process. The NPTE is $485 to register for, not including preparation materials, and state licensing fees are typically a few hundred dollars. Your credential evaluation and any certified translations you need to obtain are also a few hundred dollars on average. Depending on your visa type, immigration costs may range between several hundred and several thousand dollars, more if you need legal assistance. Overall, expect to pay several thousand dollars for this process from start to finish.

How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist in the U.S.?

The process for becoming a foreign-educated physical therapist in the U.S. typically takes a few years to complete. Your credential evaluation with the FCCPT may take several weeks, and if you need to complete additional educational requirements, this could add several months to the process. Studying and passing the NPTE takes between 3 and 6 months on average, and applying for state licensing can be a process of a couple of months as you gather all your materials, complete applications, and wait for your license application to be approved. Immigration is typically the longest part of this process, and you can expect your visa or green card application to have a turnaround time of between 1 and 2 years depending on your situation; some types of visas are processed faster than a year and may be awarded within a few months. You will need to consult an immigration lawyer for more information. Overall, you should expect this process to take between 1 and 3 years.

Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist in the U.S.?

Once you have completed all steps in the process of working as a foreign-educated physical therapist, including ensuring your education is up to U.S. standards, passing the NPTE, and obtaining state licensure, you will need to make sure you have met all immigration requirements. After you have received your visa or green card and your state physical therapist license, you are eligible to practice in the U.S. without any restrictions. Make sure you keep in mind any ongoing education, state license renewal, or immigration requirements so you can continue your practice uninterrupted.

What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Physical Therapists?

States handle licensing for physical therapists differently, which means it’s important to know which state you wish to work in ahead of time. After you have completed the education and examination portion of this process, you will need to consult the state board of the state where you wish to work for detailed information about applying for a license. State-specific requirements for foreign-educated physical therapists do vary, but you can expect to submit proof of your education and your NPTE scores, pay a licensing fee, and potentially take additional state-specific ethics and law examinations. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) provides a chart of state-specific licensing requirements you can browse to understand the different requirements between jurisdictions.

What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Physical Therapists?

Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that expands your visa and immigration options as you consider working in the United States. Visas that you may be eligible for include the H-1B visa, employment-based EB-2 or EB-3 visas, or the TN NAFTA Professionals visa. The visa that is best for you will depend entirely on your specific situation and the country that you are moving from. It’s important to note that you will need to obtain a Health Care Worker Certification (HCWC) through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before applying for any of the above visas. An immigration lawyer can help you understand this process in more detail and guide you to the best immigration and visa options for your situation. The FSBPT offers more specific immigration information for you to review.

Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

Certified translations are an essential part of the process of becoming a foreign-educated physical therapist in the U.S. You will need reliable certified translations of your official original documents for the credential evaluation part of this process, and you will likely need them as you apply for state licensing and a visa or green card. To obtain accurate certified translations of your original documents, you can visit our online store. We translate important documents such as:

• Diplomas
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