Health Related Professions

Massachusetts
Physical Therapy

Applications for licensure can be found on the Health Professions Licensing Portal. If this is your first time using this portal, please visit Health Professions Licensing System User Guide for information on how to get started.

Table of Contents

Transcripts and Verifications

To send your transcript/verification, please choose one of the two following options:

  • Electronic Transcripts/ Verifications: PCS will accept final official electronic transcripts received directly from the primary source (such as the School, Parchment, the National Student Clearinghouse, or State Licensing Board) via secure server to ptlicense@pcshq.com.
  • Transcripts via Postal Mail: Official Final Transcripts and mailed verifications must be mailed by the educational program or State licensing board directly to PCS at:
    ATTN: MA Board of Allied Health
    C/O MA Allied Health Coordinator
    P.O. Box 198689 Nashville, TN 37219

Eligibility Requirements

EXAMINATION

Candidates must:

  • be of good moral character; and
  • have earned a degree from an APTA-accredited program.
  • Please note that a Certificate of Completion may be received to allow applicants eligibility to sit for the examination if the applicant has completed all education and clinical requirements Prior to the examination registration deadline. Certificates may only be completed by the university After the applicants have completed these requirements and must be received before the registration deadline to allow adequate time for processing.

RECIPROCITY

All candidates must:

  • be of good moral character;
  • have earned a degree from an APTA-accredited program;
  • have earned a passing score of 600 or above on the National Physical Therapy examination; and
  • provide verification of licensure from state board(s) where license was originally granted.

Completion of NPDB Self-Query to be uploaded to your online application.  For more information, please visit https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/faqs/sq3.jsp 

Examination Information

Please visit the FSBPT website for exam date information.

To register for the NPTE you must register with FSBPT and submit a Board application for exam approval at least three weeks before the exam registration deadlines listed on the FSBPT website. This will ensure an adequate timeframe for review. Applicants must have completed both clinical and education requirements prior to the registration deadline in order to be qualified for approval for that exam cycle and must have a certificate of completion form from the school submitted to verify completion of requirements prior to the deadline in order to be approved. 

For exam approval, please submit the PT/PTA application at least three weeks before to the exam registration deadlines listed on the FSBPT website to ensure an adequate timeframe for review.

Grade Information

Grades are typically reported one week after taking the examination.  Please allow 7-10 business days to receive your licensure information or re-exam information by email. Re-examinees will need to submit their re-exam payment if their application is less than a year old and they have not missed an exam cycle.  

No grades will be sent by email or by fax.

Licensure Information

PCS processing time for approval is 3 to 4 weeks from the time all documents have been received. License numbers are posted on the MA board’s website once all requirements have been met including the CORI background check.

Contact Information

Applicants may contact PCS to obtain information, ask questions about application processing or receive status updates.

Professional Credential Services (PCS)

Attn: PT Coordinator
P.O. Box 198689
Nashville, TN 37219-8689

Phone: 1-877-364-3926
email: ptlicense@pcshq.com

For couriers other than the US Postal Service, CLICK HERE.

MA Board of Allied Health Professionals

250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
Board Website
Phone: 617-624-6148
Email: alliedhealth@mass.gov

Applicants may contact FSBPT to obtain examination application processing and score transfer service information.

‍Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

509 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
FSBPT Website
Phone: 703-739-9420

Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)

511 Wythe Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (USA)
www.fccpt.org

American Physical Therapy Association

1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
www.apta.org
Phone: 703-684-2782 or 800-999-2782

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long does it take to process my application?
A: Please allow 3 to 4 weeks to process your application once PCS receives all documentation.

Q: I took the Internet Based TOEFL, what scores are acceptable to Massachusetts for this version of TOEFL?
A: For the TOEFL Internet Based Test (IBT), the scores need to be as follows: 89 or higher total score with a 26 or higher in the speaking section. The TOEFL is required for all applicants trained outside the US and should be included as part of the FCCPT Type 1 evaluation sent digitally to PCS. For further information on the Type 1 evaluation requirements, please visit www.fccpt.org 

Q: I took the NPT exam and passed before 1996 and now I am told my score needs to be approved. Why? And does this mean that I need to have FSBPT resend my score to PCS?
A: The scaled score changed in 1996 and the pass point became 600. All score reports from prior to 1996 need to undergo further review to be sure they meet the requirements for Massachusetts licensure. You do not need to have your score resent to PCS.