4755-23-03. License by examination  


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  • (A) To be licensed by examination as a physical therapist an applicant shall pass the following examinations:

    (1) The national physical therapy examination (NPTE) for physical therapists administered by the federation of state boards of physical therapy; and

    (2) The examination approved by the physical therapy section on the laws and rules governing the practice of physical therapy in the state of Ohio.

    (B) To be licensed by examination as a physical therapist assistant an applicant shall pass the following examinations:

    (1) The NPTE for physical therapist assistants administered by the federation of state boards of physical therapy; and

    (2) The examination approved by the physical therapy section on the laws and rules governing the practice of physical therapy in the state of Ohio.

    (C) Applicants failing the NPTE may be approved to re-take the NPTE following the submission of the application for licensure by examination up to any limit set by the federation of state boards of physical therapy or as determined by the physical therapy section.

    (D) In addition to the other requirements of this rule, a foreign educated applicant for licensure as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant shall meet the requirements established in rule 4755-23-12 of the Administrative Code.

    (E) An applicant who satisfies all requirements of the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code and who passes the examinations specified in:

    (1) Paragraphs (A)(1) and (A)(2) of this rule shall be issued a license to practice as a physical therapist.

    (2) Paragraphs (B)(1) and (B)(2) of this rule shall be issued a license to practice as a physical therapist assistant.

    (F) Pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 4755.45 and division (A) of section 4755.451 of the Revised Code, an applicant who passed the NPTE under the approval of another state physical therapy regulatory entity is eligible for a license by examination provided the applicant meets all other requirements contained in sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 of the Revised Code and any rule adopted by the physical therapy section and provided that the applicant was never issued a license to practice in the state that approved the applicant to sit for the NPTE.


Effective: 10/14/2019
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 7/1/2019 and 10/01/2024
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4755.411
Rule Amplifies: 4755.42, 4755.441, 4755.44 , 4755.431, 4755.43 , 4755.421
Prior Effective Dates: 09/01/1982, 02/01/1992, 02/01/1993, 07/15/1995, 03/20/1998, 05/25/2003, 05/01/2006, 03/20/2008, 05/01/2009, 07/01/2015, 10/19/2018