Physical Therapist US Licensing and Employment Opportunities

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Manila office is no longer accepting new applications or petitions. The USCIS Manila office will be permanently closed on July 5, 2019.

Beginning today June 3, individuals who were previously assisted by the USCIS Manila Field Office must follow the new filing instructions listed on the USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/philippines-uscis-manila-field-office.

Arranging to take the NPTE
What are the steps for taking the examination?
-----------------
1, Obtain application materials from the licensing authority of the jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure.
Register and pay for the examination on FSBPT’s website at www.fsbpt.org.
2. If you have a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you may request testing accommodations for the examination. For details, contact the licensing authority in the jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure. You must request testing accommodations at the time you register.
3. The jurisdiction licensing authority will approve your eligibility and notify FSBPT. Please note that your jurisdiction cannot approve your eligibility until your examination registration and payment has been received by FSBPT.
4. FSBPT will send you an “Authorization to Test” (ATT) letter containing instructions on how to schedule an appointment with Prometric. You will receive your ATT letter by email at the email address you provided during registration. You may also access your ATT letter on the FSBPT website under “Status of My Request.” Questions regarding registration processing may be directed to [email protected].
5. Schedule an appointment for the examination with Prometric. You may schedule your appointment with Prometric online at www.prometric.com/fsbpt or by calling the number given in your ATT letter.
6. Sit for the examination at your chosen Prometric testing site. You must sit for the examination on the date indicated on the ATT letter provided by FSBPT. If you do not sit for the examination or withdraw your registration within your eligibility, you will be removed from the eligibility list and will be required to begin the registration process again.

The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy - Promoting Safety and Competence | FSBPT

If you need assistance in obtaining the "Authorization to Test" in the US, please send us a message. Thanks.

Physical therapists seeking employment in the United States have two options under United States immigration law: a temporary working visa (also known as an H-1B visa), and a permanent employment visa ("green card"). The requirements for obtaining each are similar, and processing times constitute the only major difference between a temporary and a permanent visa.

Permanent U.S Residence (Green Card)

One way people immigrate to the United States (U.S.) is based on employment. Physical therapists have already been designated by the U.S. Department of Labor to be an occupation for which there is a national shortage (Schedule A). Therefore, they are allowed to file for their green cards by showing that they have a permanent job offer to work as a physical therapist in the United States, speak English sufficiently well, and meet other criteria. They can work at a facility anywhere in the United States. They do not have to work in any kind of "shortage" location.

As a schedule A profession, physical therapists do not need a Labor Certification Application from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The process starts by filing Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on behalf of the foreign national with USCIS. A U.S. employer may sponsor a prospective or current foreign national employee who is inside or outside the U.S. and who may qualify under one or more of the employment based or “EB” immigrant visa categories. Filing a petition showing that you and the foreign national have an intent to have an employer-employee relationship upon the approval of the petition and proving your employer-employee relationship and the foreign national’s qualifications gives the foreign national a place in line among others waiting to immigrate based on the same kind of “EB” visa category. When the place in line is reached, the foreign national may be eligible to apply to immigrate.

A Physical Therapist who meets the professional educational and licensing requirements may qualify for a green card.

What is required?

1. A Physical Therapist with a 4 Year Bachelor Degree in Physical Therapy, or equivalent, and,

2. A Physical Therapist with a State License, or, A Physical Therapist with a letter from the State Licensing Authority for the state of intended employment stating that the Foreign National Physical Therapist is qualified to take that state's written licensing examination for Physical Therapists.

Outside the U.S.

The Employer files the Form I-140 and Form ETA 750 with the USCIS.

Once the USCIS approves the I-140 Petition, the USCIS first sends the I-140 Petition to the National Visa Center. If there is no backlog for immigrant visas from the Physical Therapist’s native country, the Visa Center forwards a packet to the Physical Therapist containing biographical information forms to be completed by her and her family members, and a list of documents which must be presented at her interview for permanent residence.

The Physical Therapist sends the signed and completed forms to the U.S. consulate where the Physical Therapist will have her interview for permanent residence.

At this interview, the Physical Therapist must present various documents including the following:

a. Application for Immigrant Visa
b. Police Clearance
c. Birth Certificate
d. Marriage Certificate, if any
e. Divorce or Death Certificate of Spouse, if any
f. Valid Passport
g. Medical Examination
h. USCIS Photographs
i. Recent job offer letter (or employment contract)
j. Financial information regarding employer
k. Government filing fee