Physical Therapy Board of California
Foreign-Educated PT Applicant
Clinical Service Period
You CANNOT begin your clinical service period until you receive authorization from PTBC.
Pursuant to BPC 2653, foreign-educated applicants are required to complete a nine-month clinical service period after passing the NPTE and CAL-Law. If you already hold a license in another U.S. physical therapy licensing jurisdiction, please see Work Verification section below.
Please be aware, PTBC does not aid applicants in locating clinical facilities or instructors.
Facility Requirements
Pursuant to CCR section 1398.38, a facility, Center Coordinator of Clinical Education (CCCE), and Clinical Instructor(s) (CI) must receive written approval from PTBC before an applicant is authorized to work as a Physical Therapist License Applicant (PTLA) and begin the period of clinical service.
Supervision Requirements for Foreign-Educated Physical Therapist License Applicant
The CCCE and CI must be certified by the APTA to supervise a foreign-trained applicant working as PTLA completing the clinical service period required for licensure. The supervising physical therapist shall be onsite in the same facility and available to the PTLA to assist with patient care.
For information on how to become certified as a CCCE and/or CI, contact the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at 1-800-999-2782 or visit the website at www.apta.org.
Clinical Service Period Application
After you have submitted a complete initial license application and passed both the NPTE and CAL-Law, PTBC will send you a clinical service period application packet. Please review all information provided, and complete and return the following to PTBC:
- A Clinical Site Information form (CSIF). Information regarding the CSIF is available on APTA’s website at https://www.apta.org/for-educators/assessments/csif.
- Notice of Intent to Supervise a Foreign Educated Physical Therapist Form (F1B).
- A copy of the APTA's certificate documenting that the CCCE/CIs are APTA certified.
Please allow PTBC 30 days to evaluate your clinical service period application and issue a written decision.
You CANNOT begin your clinical service period until you receive authorization from PTBC.
Clinical Service Period Performance Evaluation Information
The CCCE/CIs at the facility must evaluate the performance of the foreign-educated physical therapist applicant while performing as a PTLA using the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI) issued by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) OR Performance Evaluation Tool (PET) issued by the Federation. The applicant must be evaluated on his or her skill level mid-way through the clinical service period, and the final evaluation shall determine his or her skill level at the end of the clinical service period. Copies of the CPI are available from PTBC upon request.
Completion of Clinical Services Period
Upon completion of the clinical service period, the CCCE/CI shall submit the applicant’s performance evaluation(s) to PTBC. Please allow PTBC 30 days to evaluate your clinical service period evaluations(s)and issue a written decision.
Work Verification (out-of-state licensees with active license in good standing)
Applicants permanently licensed and working as a full-time physical therapist in another U.S. physical therapy license jurisdiction may apply for a clinical service waiver by submitting a Work Verification form. Clinical service may be reduced by one month for up to the total nine months for months worked as a licensee outside California.