QUALIFICATIONS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST LICENSURE
1. Education
A. Graduation from an approved physical therapist educational program; or
B. Meet the requirements of training as a physical therapist in a foreign country and English proficiency
requirements pursuant to 172 NAC 137-004.
2. Examination
A. Pass the National Physical Therapist Examination (NPTE) with a scaled score that is greater than or
equal to 600; and
B. Pass the Jurisprudence (NE LAW) Examination with a scaled score that is greater than or equal to 600
Effective June 23, 2012:
If you have a license in another Jurisdiction and have not practiced within the three years preceding your
application, you must:
a. Retake and pass the NPTE; and
b. Pass the Jurisprudence (NELAW) Examination
NOTE: If you passed the NPTE within three (3) years of your application for physical therapist
licensure to Nebraska, the rule above and below does not apply to you.
If you passed the NPTE, Not Practicing: Applicants who have passed the NPTE more than three years
prior to the time of application and who have never held a license must:
a. Retake and pass the NPTE; and
b. Pass the Jurisprudence (NELAW) Examination
Requirements for Physical Therapist Licensure
You must complete the following:
1. Register and pay your examination fee(s) to The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) at https://www.fsbpt.org/index.asp. The following examination fees must be paid:
A. Applicants for Physical Therapist Licensure by Examination - NPTE and NELAW examinations required;
B. Applicants for Physical Therapist Licensure by License in Another Jurisdiction and is Crrently Practicing -
NELAW examination required;
C. Applicants for Physical Therapist Licensure by License in Another Jurisdiction and has not practiced within
the three years preceding application - NPTE and NELAW examinations required; or
D. Applicants for Physical Therapist Licensure Passed the Licensure Examination more than three years
prior to application and have never held a license - NPTE and NELAW examinations required.
Immediately after paying your examination fee(s), you must submit the following to our office:
2. A completed Application for Licensure as a Physical Therapist with:
A. Appropriate application fee;
B. Proof of age of majority;
C. Proof of citizenship or alien lawfully admitted into the United States who is eligible for a credential under
the Uniform Credentialing Act;
D. Convictions (if applicable): If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you must submit the
required documentation listed in Section C-1 of the application
3. Required documentation from other Agencies:
A. Request your official Physical Therapist transcript showing proof of graduation be sent directly to our
office;
B. If you have or have held licensure in other jurisdictions, hve those jurisdictions submit verifcation or
certification of licensure to our office;
C. If you have passed the NPTE, have FSBPT transfer your examination score to Nebraska;
D. Foreign trained physical therapists require additional documentation:
a. Request submission of an evaluation of your education credentials by an approved evaluation
service. Refer to Section E-2 of the application
b. Submit proof of proficiency in the English language. Refer to section E-2 of the application
Upon completion of the requirements listed above, our office will make you eligible to test for your
examination(s) and notify FSBPT. FSPBT will then send you your ATT (Authorization to Test) letter(s) with instructions on how to schedule your exam(s) with the Prometric Center.
Upon receipt of your examination score(s), our office will notify you in writing.
For detailed, step-by-step instruction/procedures and fees, go to the 'Applications' link above and upload the Application for Physical Therpist License. The detailed, step-by-step instructions/procedures are the first two pages in the Application.
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QUALIFICATIONS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION
1. Education:
A. Graduation from an approved physical therapist assistant educational program
2. Examination:
A. Pass the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination with a scaled score that is greater than or
equal to 600;
B. Pass the Jurisprudence (NELAW) Examination with a scaled score that is greater than or equal to 600
Effective June 23, 2012:
If you have a license in another jurisdiction and have not practiced within the three years preceding
your application, you must:
A. Retake and pass the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination; and
B. Pass the Jurisprudence (NELAW) Examination
NOTE: If you passed the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination within three (3) years of
your application for physical therapist assistant certificate to Nebraska, the rule above and below
does not apply to you.
If you passed the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination, Not Practicing: Applicants who have
passed the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination more than three years prior to time of
application and who have never held a license must:
A. Retake and pass the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination; and
B. Pass the Jurisprudence (NELAW) Examination
Requirements for Physical Therapist Assistant Certification
You must complete the following:
1. Register and pay your examination fee(s) to The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) at
https://www.fsbpt.org/index.asp. The following examination fees must be paid:
A. Applicants for Physical Therapist Assistant by Examination - National Physical Therapist Assistant
Examination (NELAW) required
B. Applicants for Physical Therapist Assistant Certification by License in Another Jurisdiction and is Currently
Practicing - NELAW Examination required
C. Applicants for Physical Therapist Assistant Certification by License in Another Jurisdiction and has not
practiced within the three years preceding application - National Physical Therapist Assistant and NELAW
examinations required; or
D. Applicants for Physical Therapist Assistant Passed the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination
more than three years prior to application and have never held a license - National Physical Therapist
Assistant Examination and NELAW examinations required
Immediately after paying your examination fee(s), you must submit the following to our office:
1. A completed Application for Certification as a Physical Therapist Assistant with:
A. Appropriate application fee; and
B. Proof of age of majority;
C. Proof of citizenship or alien lawfully admitted into the United States who is eligible fo ra credential under
the Uniform Credentialing Act;
D. Convictions (if applicable): If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, you must submit the
required documentation listed in Section B-1 of the application
2. Required documentation from other Agencies:
A. Request your official Physical Therapist Assistant transcript showing proof of graduation be sent directly
to our office;
B. If you have or have held licensure in other jurisdictions, have those jurisdictions submit verification or
certification of licensure to our office;
C. If you have passed the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination, have FSBPT transfer your
examination score to Nebraska
Upon completion/receipt of the requirements listed above, our office will make you eligible to test for your examination(s) and notify FSBPT. FSBPT will then send you your ATT (Authorization to Test) letter(s) with instructions on how to scedule your exam(s) with the Prometric Center.
Upon receipt of your examination score(s), our office will notify you in writing.
For detailed step-by-step instructions/procedures and fees, go to the 'Applications' link above and upload the Application for Certification as a Physical Therapist Assistant. The detailed step-by-step instructions/procedures are the first two pages in the Application.
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COMMENCING PRACTICE
A physical therapist assistant who is certified by the Department may not commence practice without being supervised by a physical therapist licensed in Nebraska.
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EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Nebraska Jurisprudence (NE Law) Examination
The applicant is required to review the Physical Therapy Statutes and Regulations; the Uniform Credentialing Act; 
Statutes Relating to Medical Records; and Regulations Governing Mandatory Reporting for the Jurisprudence (NE Law) examination. The passing score must be greater than or equal to 600. An applicant needs to register to take the Jurisprudence (NE Law) Examination at https://www.fsbpt.net/pt/. The NE Law study material is located above under the NELAW/Jurisprudence Exam Study Materials link. The applicant will also be mailed a Candidate Handbook CD after receipt and review of the required Application by our office.
National Physical Therapist/National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination
Applicants are required to pass the National PT/PTA Examination with a scaled score that is greater than or equal to 600. To be eligible to sit for the national examination the applicant must apply to the Licensure Unit for licensure/certification to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Applicants must also register and pay online to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy for the national examination at: https://www.fsbpt.net/pt/. Additional information regarding the national PT/PTA examination can be found at www.fsbpt.org. Applicants are not eligible to takethe National PT/PTA examination prior to graduation. If you have passed the national PT/PTA examination, requests to have your scores transferred to Nebraska can be made at https://www.fsbpt.net/pt/
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REINSTATEMENT INFORMATION
1. Individuals previously credentialed in Nebraska who seek the authority to return to practice in Nebraska
with a valid Nebraska credential, whose credential has expired, been placed on inactice status, voluntarily
surrendured unrelated to discipline or non-disciplinary revocation may apply for reinstatement at any time.
These applicants must:
A. Submit a completed reinstatement application
1. Physical Therapist Reinstatement Application; or
2. Physical Therapist Assistant Reinstatement Application
B. Obtained acceptable continuing education hours within the 24 months immediately preceding
submission of reinstatement application
1. Physical therapists require 20 hours of acceptable continuing education
2. Physical therapist assistants require 10 hours of acceptable continuing education
C. Submit the appropriate reinstatement fee with the reinstatement application
D. Pass the Nebraska Law Tutorial with a score of 100%
E. If you are or have been credentialing in another jurisdiction (state), have the jurisdiction(s) submit
a verification/certification of your credential to our office.
2. Individuals whose credential was suspended or limited may apply for reinstatement at any time. An
individual whose credential has been revoked may apply for reinstatement after a period of two years has
elapsed from the date of revocation. An individual whose credential was voluntarily surrendered may apply
for reinstatement according to the order entered by the Director. To apply for reinstatement, the individual
must contact the Licsnsure Unit fo rfurther direction. Phone: 402-471-2299.
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FEES
Fee Schedule
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APPLICATIONS
These forms may be completed online, however, they cannot be submitted via e-mail due to the fact that all applications and forms require original signatures. If you complete the form online, you must print the form and mail it to the address below.
Fees (if applicable) are payable to the "Licensure Unit".
Licensure Unit
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE68509-4986
Application for Licensure as a Physical Therapist
Application for Certification as a Physical Therapist Assistant
Duplicate/Reissue Form
Name Change Form
Physical Therapist Reinstatement Application
Physical Therapist Assistant Reinstatement Application
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RENEWAL INFORMATION
Physical Therapist Renewal:
All physical therapists' licenses expire November 1 of each odd-numbered year. The Department shall send each licensee, at least 30 days prior to November 1 of each odd-numbered year, a renewal notice at the licensee’s last known address of record. A physical therapist must pay the renewal fee and attest to completion of 20 hours of acceptable continuing education taken during the preceding 24 month period. The licensee may also choose to place his/her license on inactive status by returning the completed renewal notice. Commencing on November 1, 2009 each physical therapist and each physical therapist assistant must successfully complete the Nebraska Law Tutorial before November 1 of the renewal year. The Nebraska Law Tutorial is a free, online open book tutorial developed by the Board for the purpose of assuring that all physical therapists and physical therapist assistants understand the Physical Therapy Practice Act and the Physical Therapy Regulations, 172 NAC 137. Successful completion means a score of 100%. Each licensee or certificate holder is required to maintain a copy of his/her Nebraska Law Tutorial Examination.
Physical Therapist Assistant Renewal:
All physical therapist assistant certificates expire November 1 of each odd-numbered year. The Department shall send each certificate holder at least 30 days prior to November 1 of each odd-numbered year, a renewal notice at the certificate holder’s last known address of record. A physical therapist assistant must pay the renewal fee and attest to completion of 10 hours of acceptable continuing education taken during the preceding 24 month period. The certificate holder may also choose to place his/her certificate on inactive by returning the completed renewal notice. Commencing on November 1, 2009 each physical therapist and each physical therapist assistant must successfully complete the Nebraska Law Tutorial before November 1 of the renewal year. The Nebraska Law Tutorial is a free, online open book tutorial developed by the Board for the purpose of assuring that all physical therapists and physical therapist assistants understand the Physical Therapy Practice Act and the Physical Therapy Regulations, 172 NAC 137. Successful completion means a score of 100%. Each licensee or certificate holder is required to maintain a copy of his/her Nebraska Law Tutorial Examination.
Inactive means that you cannot practice but may represent yourself as having an inactive license. To change from inactive to active status you must meet renewal requirements which are in effect at the time status change is requested.
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CONTINUING COMPETENCY
On or before November 1 of each odd-numbered year, each physical therapist and each physical therapist assistant who is in active practice must:
A. Complete continuing education hours to renew a physical therapist license or physical therapist
assistant certificate during the preceding 24 month period. Each physical therapist must complete 20
hours of continuing education and each physical therapist assistant must complete 10 hours of
continuing education during the preceding 24 month period. For more information regarding acceptable
continuing education see the rules and regulations pertaining to physical therapy.
B. All physical therapists and physical therapist assistants must successfully complete the Nebraska Law
Tutorial before November 1st of odd-numbered years for the renewal of his or her credential. The
Nebraska Law Tutorial is a free (click Tutorial in blue to follow the link to the Tutorial) online, open
book tutorial developed by the Board for the purpose of assuring that all physical therapists and
physical therapist assistants understand the Physical Therapy Practice Act and the Physical Therapy
Regulations, 172 NAC 137. Successful completion means a score of 100%. Each physical therapist and
physical therapist assistant is required to maintain a copy of his or her Nebraska Law Tutorial
certificate.
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NAME AND ADDRESS CHANGE
To change your address go to the Licensure Unit web page to ‘UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS (DEMOGRAPHICS)’ at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/crl/crlindex.htm or contact Irene Eckman at (402) 471-2299 or e-mail at irene.eckman@nebraska.gov. If you wish to change your name on your Credential, you must mail a written request with your notarized signature along with a copy of the legal document verifying name change to:
Licensure Unit
Physical Therapy
PO Box 94986
LincolnNE68509-4986
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DUPLICATES/REISSUE
Duplicates: A duplicate large license or small license card may be requested at the time of initial licensure. A $10.00 fee, per document, is required.
Reissue: A large license and/or small license card may be reissued when the licensee requests: additional documents; replacement of original document(s) due to loss, mutilation or destruction; or replacement of document(s) due to a name change.
To request a reissued license, you must submit a request for reissuance, and include a fee in the amount of $10.00 per document. Submit said request to:
Licensure Unit
Physical Therapy
PO Box 94986
LincolnNE68509-4986
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RULES AND REGULATIONS/STATUTES
Regulations relating to the Practice of Physical Therapy - 172 NAC 137 Updated August 2012
Statutes relating to Physical Therapy
Statutes relating to the Uniform Credentialing Act
Regulations relating to Mandatory Reporting
Mandatory Reporting Forms
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NE LAW/Jurisprudence Examination Study Materials
Candidate Information Booklet for NE Law Examination
Nebraska Law Examination Content Outline
Statutes relating to Physical Therapy
Statutes Relating to Medical Records
Regulations relating to the Practice of Physical Therapy - 172 NAC 137
Statutes relating to the Uniform Credentialing Act
Statutes relating to the Uniform Credentialing Act for Mandatory Reporting
Regulations relating to Mandatory Reporting
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BOARD INFORMATION
The Board of Physical Therapy advises the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit on all issues related to the regulation of physical therapy. Board member composition and length of terms follows: