Hey guys,
I hope you are all off to a great start this year and working hard in the field of physical therapy. I know that this post reaches thousands of subscribers, and I hope that things are going well for you in your respective paths.
For those of you who haven’t heard (or who have been hiding under a rock), the FSBPT is updating the NPTE content outline for the 2018 exams. Some of the biggest changes to the content outline this year are:
- Separation of the Lymphatic System into its own category (3-8 questions)
- System Interactions has been increased from 7 questions to 8-12 questions
- Gastrointestinal Examination now has up to 2 questions (up from 0)
- Increased passing standard by about 4 questions (as compared to 2017)
Overall, the changes were relatively minor but important nonetheless.
For foreign-trained applicants, the eligibility requirements will be increased for mid-2018 (presumably the July 2018 exam and onward). These new requirements are:
- Proof of TOEFL completion. At this point, the FSBPT is only requiring completion of the TOEFL, however in 2020, they will institute minimum standards that can be found here: https://www.fsbpt.org/SecondaryPages/ExamCandidates/NationalExam(NPTE)/EligibilityRequirements.aspx#2018. At this point, this does not supersede any specific state requirements for the TOEFL, so be sure to check with your individual state to see what their requirements are.
- Proof of educational equivalence. Obviously, the FSBPT is anxious to make sure that applicants have sufficient and comparable education to CAPTE standards. More information can be found at the aforementioned link.
As with any high-stakes standardized examination, adequate preparation is crucial to any successful study plan. Be sure to check out all the offerings here at PT Final Exam to find what is the best fit for you.
I wish you all the best in 2018 and look forward to the privilege to continue serving the PT community.
Thanks!