Physical Therapy Board of California
Foreign-Educated PT Applicant
Education Verification
Credential Evaluation
You must have your credential evaluation completed prior to applying to PTBC.
Pursuant to Section 2653 of the Business & Professions Code (BPC), a foreign-educated applicant, both a first-time license applicant and an applicant who holds license in another physical therapy licensing jurisdiction, must provide satisfactory evidence to PTBC that they have completed an equivalent professional degree to that issued by a U.S.- accredited physical therapy educational program. PTBC requires certification of educational equivalency from one of the following recognized credential evaluation agencies:
- International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
P.O. Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3655
(310)258-9451 - Foreign Credentialing Commission on PT (FCCPT)
PO Box 25827
Alexandria, VA 22313
(703)684-8406 - International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
Each credential evaluation agency has their own processing time and fee associated with evaluating credentials. You will need to determine which credential evaluation agency best meets your needs.
These credential evaluation agencies will evaluate your education credentials using an FSBPT Coursework Tool (CWT) based on your year of graduation as set forth in Section 1398.26.1 of the California Code of Regulations.
In addition to satisfying the CWT requirements, unless exempt, you must also demonstrate English proficiency by passing the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) administered by the Educational Testing Services (ETS) as follows in a single administration:
| Internet-Based TOEFL Section | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Reading | 22 |
| Listening | 21 |
| Writing | 22 |
| Speaking | 24 |
| TOTAL | 89 |
The PTBC does not permit the substitution of other examinations for the TOEFL iBT.
TOEFL iBT Exemptions
An applicant shall be exempt from the requirement to demonstrate English proficiency if the applicant has been awarded a bachelor’s degree or higher in a physical therapist educational program from a college, university, or professional training school in Australia, any part of Canada other than Quebec, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
Credential Evaluation Outcome
- Education Equivalent
If the credential evaluation agency determines your education is equivalent to a professional degree issued by a U.S.- accredited physical therapy educational program, the credential evaluation agency will send you and PTBC a Certificate of Professional Degree Equivalency.
You may apply to PTBC for licensure.
- Education NOT Equivalent
If the credential evaluation agency determines your education is NOT equivalent, you will receive a credential evaluation report that identifies your educational deficiencies. A credential evaluation report with deficiencies is for your refence only; you cannot use this to apply to the PTBC.
You must fulfill your educational deficiencies to apply to the PTBC for licensure. The agency that completed your credential evaluation may be able to assist you with how to fulfill the deficiencies. The PTBC does NOT assist applicants with fulfilling educational deficiencies.