Physical Therapy Board of California

 PT/PTA New Grad Applicant  Process Map  Exam Information  Exam Accommodations  Education Verification  Fingerprinting  Photo  Fees  License Applicant Status  Military Expedite  Summary/Checklist
Apply Now

US-Educated PT/PTA Applicant — New Graduate

License Applicant Status (PTLA/PTALA)

You are not authorized to work as a physical therapist license applicant/physical therapist assistant license applicant (PTLA/PTALA) until you receive a notice from PTBC granting you license applicant status. To be eligible for license applicant status, you must have:

  • An application with PTBC.
  • No criminal history.
  • A correctly completed P1E.
  • Registered and paid for the first available NPTE.

Supervision requirements for applicants practicing under PTLA/PTALA status are set forth in California Code of Regulations (CCR) §1399.10 and §1399.12.

If you pass the first available NPTE prior to the expiration of your license applicant status, you may continue to work as a license applicant until PTBC issues you a license or your application expires.

License applicant status may not be issued or will be terminated for the following reasons:

  • Expiration of license applicant status. Once expired, it cannot be extended.
  • Failing the NPTE
  • If PTBC is notified of criminal history, PTBC’s Consumer Protection Services program must evaluate the history to determine whether license applicant status may be granted.

The Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from the FSPBT does NOT grant you the ability to work as a license applicant.