Upon graduation from an accredited school, a prospective PTA must obtain a license from the state board to be eligible to practice in Texas. Requirements for the online application process include paying a fee and submitting school transcripts.
The next step is to successfully complete the National Physical Therapy Exam, which the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administers. Testing sites are in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Abilene, Odessa, Wichita Falls, Lubbock, Waco, Bedford, and Austin.
The 200-question test covers PT data collection, interventions, diseases and conditions, equipment and devices, therapeutic modalities, safety and protection, professional responsibilities, and research. A score of 600 or better is necessary to pass the exam. The FSBPT sends a student’s results to the Texas Board of PT Examiners within a week. .
Students also must contact the state board to make arrangements to take an online test called the Texas Jurisprudence Assessment Module. An 80 percent score is required.
Texas PTAs renew their licenses every two years. They must receive 20 hours of continuing education, including a two-hour class in ethics and professional responsibility. In addition, they have to retake the jurisprudence exam.