Official Therapist Blog

Therapy License Worthy of a Careful Review as We Begin 2012

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 01.13.2012 | Category Career Tips, Education, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathologist, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy

With a brand new year under way, it’s time to get organized—and in your therapy career the most logical place to start is making sure your therapy license is in order. Travel Force is proud to provide therapy career resources that include links to all 50 U.S. physical therapy boards and 24/7 access to customer care should questions arise about obtaining state licensure in one or multiple states. Remember that we post new jobs round the clock, offering high paying opportunities in both travel therapy jobs and permanent jobs.

Travel Therapists will want to obtain multiple state licenses, so that when new travel physical therapy jobs open up from coast to coast, you’re ready to accept immediately. As an incentive, our staffing agency provides, whenever applicable, reimbursement for licensure board costs and travel expenses. Call 1-800-617-0608 or apply online to open up a line of communication with our recruiting team; they’ll want to discuss how far you can take your therapy career and what you need to do to get the ball rolling.

Whether you’re comfortable in your current therapy job or planning your next move, bookmarking our therapy career resources page is a great idea; it’ll help you stay current on allied health trends, events, and matters concerning your continuing education and earning potential.

Therapy Career Links Worth Remembering

OTA’s, physical and occupational therapists, as well as speech language pathologists will want to familiarize themselves with these sites, useful for anyone in therapy jobs and physical therapy jobs at Travel Force Staffing.

• Physical Therapy Boards
• Occupational Therapy Associations
• Speech Language Pathology Associations

Once again, don’t pass on making the New Year your perfect excuse to check in with your state licensure board. You’ll want to ensure no complaints have been filed, and no expiration have passed on continuing education requirements; a failure to meet these standards or forget to pay small periodic fees could result in the revocation of your state board issued therapy license—and nobody wants that. It’s just a gentle reminder from your #1 staffing agency. We know you’re in control of your therapy career and ready to prosper this year. Happy 2012 everyone!

National Allied Health Professionals Week Celebrates Therapists

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 11.01.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, CFY, Career Tips, Monthly Events, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Speech Language Pathologist, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Feel Appreciated November 1-7, 2011!

The first week of November is National Allied Health Professionals Week, and honors the contributions of therapists from coast to coast. To physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists in the U.S., therapist staffing agency, Travel Force Staffing, says ‘Thank you, for the skill and high training you bring to your therapy jobs in all 50 states!’

Your healthcare staffing agency provides therapy career resources that help allied health professionals keep up with the extraordinary job gains predicted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, who, in 2006, predicted 4 million new health care jobs that are still on a steady climb—and forecasted to keep on growing until 2016!

Travel Therapy Jobs Are Just One Way to Increase Allied Health Awareness

For patients in need of rehabilitative care, there can be no greater contribution than sharing your talents as a therapist in a wide variety of healthcare settings that travel therapy jobs provide. Remember that allied healthcare professionals and the travel therapists among them constitute approximately 60% of caregivers in American healthcare today—so make sure you get the word out about your large and invaluable presence in the medical community! Since travel therapists encounter many different people with an interest in what they do, be sure to sponsor an activity, like a pot-luck, sports game or raffle that generates proceeds and honors local therapists.

Helping Give Talented SLPs, PTs and OTs Their Due

Working in a therapy career, though challenging, means your chosen road is high paying, incredibly rewarding and recession proof! Bookmark our physical therapy certification page to learn more about advancing your PT career.

Are you an ambitious occupational therapist looking to make your mark? Read this related blog about your therapy career’s boundless opportunities and high wages. We may also be the perfect fit for a newly graduated speech language pathologist, hunting for a lucrative CFY job—or ultimate speech language pathology job.

What Are You Waiting For? Call Travel Force Staffing Now!

Because we are affiliated with America’s best hospitals and offer free private housing and bonuses as part of a generous benefits package, all our rehab jobs put physical therapists within reach of a six-figure salary. It’s as easy as calling 1-800-617-0608; or, simply apply online! But between clicks, take the time to bask in your achievements this week, as a valued member of America’s allied healthcare workforce!

10 Reasons to Switch to Travel Therapy Jobs

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 08.25.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Continuing Education Units (CEU), Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Education, Speech Language Pathologist, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, physical therapy job questions, rehabilitation therapy, therapy job bonus

Allied healthcare professionals, drawn to new cultures, climates and the travel done in between, covet high paying occupational and physical therapy jobs offered by prestigious staffing agencies. If you’re looking to take your therapy career to the next level, one that offers a competitive salary, free luxury private housing and more, please do read on!

Checklist: 10 Reasons to Switch to Travel Therapy Jobs

1. Travel therapy jobs let your inner-traveler go beyond guidebooks: Sites and attractions are to be enjoyed at your sole discretion and leisure. It’s not like you’re the average tourist, trying to cram everything into one vacation.
2. Staffing consultants work closely with every therapist. Thanks to VIP customer care, you tailor your own therapist career, living where you want, working the hours that suit you best.
3. Continuing Education is free. Advance in your therapist career from the comfort of your laptop. We have hundreds of online classes to choose from! See some of the  Free CE online courses
4. These therapy jobs are flexible! If you fall in love with a city during your therapy job, you can easily arrange to extend that position or find a permanent therapist job in your desired city.
5. Free private housing is located in a prime location. Live in apartments with amenities that encourage exercise (i.e. pools and gyms) and are either very close to your travel therapy job or located next to public transportation.
6. Get a bonus when you refer a therapist! Be sure to refer a colleague who loves the idea of a travel therapist lifestyle too.  See current travel therapy jobs bonuses.
7. Company matched 401(k) and travel reimbursements come with every travel therapy job. Once you peruse the Travel Force benefits package, you’ll want to sign on!
8. Accepting a travel therapy job means lightening your load. A consultant handles the particulars; the only thing you must do is ace your job interview, pack your belongings and get on the road. Deciding what the essentials are rids your life of clutter. See basic travel therapy job documentation needed to get started
9. Making plans for your future has never been this fun. Formulate a list of “Must-See places” before embarking on your new therapy career. Cram your glove compartment with maps and guidebooks. It’s a great opportunity for graduate physical therapists coming out of college.
10. You build confidence by working in more than just one facility. Increase your ability to adapt, acclimate and thrive in travel therapy jobs.

Travel Force Staffing Professionals Help You Learn to Travel Light

Allied healthcare professionals love travel therapy jobs because they are flexible, challenging, and offer great career benefits and pay when compared to permanent positions. Travel therapy jobs allow you to be the architect of where you work and for how long—rest assured our SLP jobs, physical and occupational therapy jobs are in America’s best hospitals; 80% of our affiliates appear in a top rated list, published consistently in U.S. News & World Report. Remember our checklist of why becoming a travel therapist is a brilliant move. You want to travel light, even if a decision like this is seldom made lightly—that is exactly why you need an expert staffing agency to help you take the plunge.

Travel Force Staffing provides recruitment solutions for America’s top rated rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient and Rehab centers, skilled nursing facilities, and private therapy practices located in all 50 U.S. states. Our experienced team of staffing experts place physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, surgical technologists and per diem staff and other allied healthcare professionals into therapy careers nationwide. Contact us today at 800-617-0608 for instant access to cutting edge recruitment technology, therapy career resources, news, and information.

Required Documentation for Travel Therapy Jobs

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 02.01.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, How To's, How to Tips, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy job questions

Talk about a “frequently asked question”! Many rehabilitation therapists who are considering a travel therapy job, especially the new physical therapy graduates, ask us what kind documentation is required for traveling. There are some basic requirements for all travel therapy jobs. Plus — depending on your specialty and the facility where you’ll be working — additional documentation may be required. Your travel therapy job consultant will let you know if additional paperwork is expected as you go along. Still, you’ll make the process more efficient by gathering the paperwork listed below, and you’ll reduce any stress that comes with that last-minute scramble:

• Copies of all active state rehabilitation therapy licenses — please don’t send originals, just photocopies of your licenses — front and back. 
• Copies of your signed AHA-issued BCLS for healthcare providers
• Any other special certifications needed for your clinical area. See this list of allied professional organizations
• Legible copy of your driver’s license, color copy recommended
• A Physician Statement completed within 12 months prior to your start date. Keep in mind that it’s easier to get a signature during a doctor’s visit, so bring a statement form with you on your next appointment — even if you’re just starting your therapy job search.
• Titre results with lab values for:
  • Rubeola
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
  • Hep C, Hep B and Mumps titres may also be required, so if you have had any of these drawn, save your results.
• Documentation of annual seasonal influenza vaccine
• Documentation including implantation date, read date and mm of your last two or three PPD’s
• Respirator Fit Test. Whenever you have a respirator fit test, request a copy of the results for your records; you will need it.

Although it isn’t required once you have completed your therapist job online application and skills lists, a current resume is a very helpful addition to your file. A current resume can help us fill in some of the details about your work history, so we strongly encourage you to upload a resume when available. You’ll also want to collect the contact information from the individuals who will be serving as job references. Find a list of therapist job forms and documentation.

You can complete and fax or email any travel therapist job forms to your consultant at Travel Force’s secure fax or email address:

• secure fax #: 888-884-6510.
• secure email: documentation@travelforce.com

Securing licensure approval in a new state can take eight weeks or longer. So if you’re interested in Texas physical therapist jobs, it’s a good idea to start looking into Texas licensure ahead of time. Travel Force Staffing can help with securing licensure and licensure reimbursement for working travelers. We review the paperwork basics with experienced and first-time travel therapists alike — and we remind everyone to keep their resume and their skills lists up-to-date. Every job you take can make you a more sought-after rehab therapist. So touch base with your travel therapy agency now and again to update your skills check lists and profile. In no time at all, you’ll be happily situated in your ideal travel therapy job.

Related therapy licenses blogs

• Want a rewarding career in Physical Therapy?
• Are you ready to begin an exciting Occupational Therapist Career?
• Securing a TN Visa or E-3 Visa is a Straightforward Process to get U.S. Physical Therapists Jobs

Securing a TN Visa or E-3 Visa is a Straightforward Process to get U.S. Physical Therapists Jobs

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 10.21.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How to Tips, Occupational Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, physical therapy job questions

Canadian, Mexican and Australian Rehab Graduates seeking U.S. Physical Therapists Jobs check out Travel Force’s all new career resource page to find out why…

Are you a foreign trained physical therapist who wants to get to work in a top paying therapy job with full benefits? Travel Force has a new TN Visa page worthy of your bookmark! If you are a physical therapist or occupational therapist and hold Canadian or Mexican citizenry, you are eligible for the TN Visa.

Travel Force’s Information on the TN Visa is a One-Stop Career Resource!

As a non-immigrant NAFTA Professional, your TN Visa allows you to work legally and without delay in the United States, provided you have a confirmed job offer from a U.S. employer—Travel Force is prepared to be that employer, offering visa sponsorship, in addition to a full benefits package with full-time employment. Our TN visa page is a vital career resource that links to:

• TN Visa eligibility criteria
• US Embassy and Consulate Services
• A complete list of USA state licensing authorities
• Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) requirements
• Visa Credentials Assessment or VisaScreen Certificate
• TOEFL official website

TN Visa Basic Requirements: A Recap

The Travel Force TN Visa resource page says it all, but as a refresher, Canadian and Mexican PTs and OTs should expect to prove the following:

• Citizenship of Canada or Mexico
• Qualifications that meet TN Visa regulations
• A Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist license in the state applicant intends to practice
• A confirmed full-time therapy job with a U.S. employer

What do Australian Applicants to Travel Force have to gain?

Australian nationals coming to the United States, trained in physical therapy or occupational therapy—who also hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent—are eligible for the E-3 Visa; introduced in 2005, it enables professionals, along with their spouses and children, to come to the US to work in a specialty occupation.

Don’t just bookmark us! Contact Travel Force today!
From Down Under, Mexico or the Canadian Rockies, your future in a competitive, high paying physical therapy or occupational therapist career is on hold until you contact a staffing expert at 800-617-0608 or Apply Online Now.

Celebrate National Physical Therapy Month this October

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 10.01.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Monthly Events, Physical Therapist Education, Physical Therapist Jobs, Respiratory Therapy, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, Videos, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy

October puts physical therapists in the spotlight! In 1982 the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) changed from National Physical Therapy Week, to a month long celebratory event for physical therapists nationwide. This year’s 2010 theme is: Move Forward: Physical Therapists bring motion to life—not just a slogan, but APTA sponsored site; one that gives both therapists and their patients, the chance to explore the positive effects of physical therapy for everyone involved.

National Physical Therapy Month does its part to increase the general public’s awareness of what physical therapists do, and the diversity of patients helped by their expertise. Whether young, old, injured in an accident, or as the result of illness and disease, a licensed physical therapist, often board certified in one or more of 8 physical therapy specialties, is highly trained to improve patients’ range of motion, balance, strength and flexibility.

But as a physical therapist working for Travel Force, or likeminded staffing agency, you already know this—we’re just giving you extra reasons to bring National Physical Therapy month to your patients’ attention; they may benefit from APTA’s “Motion to Life Site”, where a quiz, reader poll and more lets them access their current level of motion, and see if they have a health issue that merits a visit to your office.

Why are physical therapists making headlines?

As the world watched Spain capture the world cup during the FIFA games this summer, the general public was more aware than ever of the need for physical therapists and their ability to heal, as seen in this sports related injuries video.

Health Information Technology (IT) has also taken the physical therapy world by storm, and offers new and innovative ways of preparing therapists for future sessions with patients; you’ll enjoy watching the video that enhances our article about virtual reality training.

With so much to sit back and take in, maybe we should pop some popcorn; instead please accept our simple thanks. Travel Force wishes to add its own “tip of the hat” to a worldwide appreciation for what physical therapists do. We are proud to offer physical therapy jobs from coast to coast and everywhere in between that challenge and reward qualified applicants with top benefits, competitive pay, as well as traveling and permanent therapy positions in some of the best rehabilitative hospitals in America.

National Physical Therapy Month is just one of many occasions that serve to remind physical therapists of a competitive present and future in their field; the APTA cites a 27% jump in hiring by 2016 (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), and the majority of physical therapists with doctorates in hand (DPT degree) by 2020.

Travel Force career resources help you stay on track 365 days a year

Travel Force Staffing offers current and aspiring physical therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants career resources that help them stay on track toward achieving licensing whether they are foreign trained or educated in the U.S. We have quick links to APTA accredited physical therapy schools and member board information in all 50 states. Check us out, and apply online today!

In the meantime, think about the ways physical therapy touches the lives of your patients and leave us a comment about how you, personally, are bringing motion to life!

Tips for Recent Graduates Seeking Permanent or Travel Physical Therapy Jobs

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 09.15.2010 | Category Career Tips, How To's, How to Tips, Physical Therapist Education, Physical Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

How to get your therapist career on the fast track to success

Congratulations on completing a masters or doctorate degree in physical therapy! Now it’s time to land the perfect physical therapy job. New graduates include students with a Bachelor of Science and Masters degree, who spent part of a two-year program doing fieldwork in a clinical setting, and the Physical Therapy Doctorates—a more comprehensive three-year program that fulfills the highest standards in a clinical internship.

How far can you go as a Physical Therapist?

Those holding a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT) from an accredited have hit the ground running. DPTs can expect to land a physical therapy job right away—even with limited experience. The rehab facility that hires a DPT will ask experienced physical therapists on staff to mentor the new recruit. These rehab facilities are likely to offer recent graduates a travel physical therapy job.

Masters level gradates can also expect a lucrative future; they are qualified to take the National Physical Therapy Exam and obtain licensure to practice in any state. Just as it is for DPTs, many healthcare employers see both permanent and travel physical therapist applicants as ideal candidates to train and provide unlimited continuing education credits (CEUs).

What makes a newly graduated physical therapist hirable?

Healthcare employers are looking for specific traits in the physical therapists they interview; the ideal candidate should be able to exhibit the skills he or she has learned during working internships or prior job experience, even if it was as an unpaid position. This much should be clear at the interview for a physical therapy job:

• Ability to multi-task
• High energy level
• Affinity for fast learning
• Ability to work independently
• Exudes self-confidence
• Possesses excellent communication skills
• Eager to heal patients
• Professional and career focused

New graduates grow their skills and expertise in physical therapy jobs, learning how to perfect and expedite their careers with clinical resources and topics that include articles like the Top 40 tips prepared for recent physical therapist graduates looking to get ahead. Physical Therapists are also encouraged to check out social media sites, like Facebook for the full scoop on job opportunities, cutting edge trends in physical therapy, and more.

How to find an ideal permanent or travel physical therapy job

Permanent physical therapy jobs offer bright futures, as there are always healthcare employers willing to train and work through learning curves. Permanent therapy jobs at Travel Force feature the opportunity to work in select specialties nationwide, with assistance from our experts that let you work in a desired location.

Life as a traveling physical therapist means you’re constantly changing things up, working in as many as four different medical facilities a year. Keeping things fast paced and new is a smart way to operate in the early stages of your physical therapy career.

When you work with Travel Force, your resume is padded with the most recognizable and well-received rehabilitation hospitals in America, where you enjoy benefits that include:

Physical Therapy Travel Career Benefits

• Top pay rates and benefits, including Free Group Health, Dental and Life Insurance
• Free Deluxe Private Housing Accommodations
• Tax advantage plan - Travel Force’s tax advantage plan allows you to take home increased pay. Therapists who qualify for the plan may increase their take home pay and benefits by as much as 15%. Meals and incidentals offered.
• Referral Bonuses - Earn even more when you refer a friend or colleague to Travel Force Staffing
• 401(k) Retirement plan
• Travel Reimbursement plan
• Professional Liability Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Insurance
• Licensure Reimbursement
• Free CE Online Courses

Why new grads need an expert staffing partner

Successful job searches begin with a Joint Commission Certified agency, like Travel Force Staffing, offering immediate access to physical therapy career resources. In order to practice physical therapy in the state of your choice, you’ll need to apply for licensure within that state. Travel Force helps experienced graduates by explaining what state physical therapy boards expect when it comes to licensure and certifications.

Travel Force Staffing offers:

• Travel and permanent physical therapy jobs that meet your objectives
• A variety of medical settings, including large outpatient centers
• The ability to set your own pace.
• Exposure to other physical therapists who welcome recent graduates
• Top compensation and earnings for new and experienced physical therapists

Apply with Travel Force Staffing today and start your physical therapy job search immediately. We have physical therapist jobs ready to fill now! Call us now at 800-617-0608 or Apply Online Now.

California Law blocks DPT at four state schools

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 09.02.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Physical Therapist Education, Physical Therapist Jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy

Buzz in the PT blogosphere points to the popularity and acceptance of the physical therapy doctorate or DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) professional degree. The American Physical Therapy Association is pushing to make the DPT the entry-level credential for physical therapy jobs by year 2020 and hundreds of PT schools across America have implemented DPT programs.

In fact, 98 percent of the nation’s physical therapy programs offer Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees, Dr. Sheryl Low, associate professor and department chair of physical therapy at CSUN (California State University Northbridge) told California’s Daily Sundial.*

Professor Low teaches Physical Therapy at one of the last four colleges in the Continental U.S. that has yet to transition from the Master’s in Physical Therapy to the DPT. All four operate under the California State University System.

Why can’t CSU get Physical Therapy Doctorate accreditation?

California’s “Master Plan” for higher education has prevented CSU schools from making the transition to the DPT, which lawmakers say will force Physical Therapy students out of state to obtain their degree.

Under the Master Plan, CSU schools are prohibited in awarding doctorates of any type, as state law confines doctoral graduates to the University of California post-secondary educational system- schools granted doctoral exclusivity by the state’s Donahoe Higher Education Act.

Lawmakers are also concerned that without expanding DPT offerings in the state, demand for physical therapy doctorates may outstrip supply; causing Californians to import DPT graduates from other states to perform critical physical therapy jobs.

DPT reform has passed in the California State Assembly and is headed to the State Senate for consideration

No date has been set for a vote in the Senate. But Assembly Bill 2382 aimed at reforming DPT restrictions has recently passed in the State Assembly 75 to 1, a victory for CSU educators and physical therapy students.

Assemblyman, Bob Blumenfield, said legislation needs to be passed by 2013 in order for CSU campuses to continue taking DPT admissions for the academic year 2013-2014.*

Related pages

• Therapy Career Resources
• California Physical Therapist Jobs

Attention, Foreign Educated Physical Therapists Seeking State Licensure Information

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 08.27.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How to Tips, Physical Therapist Jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy

Travel Force has Physical Therapist License Requirements for all 50 U.S. states!

Recently, Travel Force posted a website resource that is receiving rave reviews. We call it our Go-to Guide for Foreign Educated physical therapists. It addresses the specific needs of non-U.S. born job seekers, looking to meet state licensure requirements in America’s 50 states for physical therapist careers.

Our Go-to Guide supplies qualified job seekers, educated in countries outside the U.S., including Canada and Mexico, direct links to state Physical Therapy Boards, applications and instructions for meeting US physical therapist license requirements in the nation’s leading destinations for allied healthcare careers.

Recruiting experts at Travel Force decided to expand this information, so that it includes the entire U.S.A.!

Visit Travel Force’s new career resource page today for foreign trained physical therapist license information in all 50 states. The information provided is detailed and comprehensive; it lets the foreign trained physical therapist instantly access licensing information, answers to frequently asked questions, detailed instructions, application forms and packets. Most applications may be submitted online.

Additionally, this career resource for foreign educated physical therapists includes direct links to the premier credentials evaluation agency, the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT), accepted and encouraged by a majority of U.S. states. Our new career resource cites, also, the importance the majority of U.S. states place on graduation from schools approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

What else can foreign trained physical therapists expect to benefit from this comprehensive guide found in Travel Force’s long list of valuable career resources? We are happy to report that—because each state differs in its laws and approaches to obtaining a physical therapy license—a specific detail that helps set that state apart; by providing advanced notice of what to expect in a certain state, the physical therapist is better prepared to make application there without error, quickly and efficiently. See some examples below:

Did you know?

• Foreign educated physical therapists seeking licensure in Florida are no longer required to submit proof of English proficiency?

Or that

• In Louisiana no physical therapist may practice without first obtaining a temporary permit?

Foreign educated professionals seeking physical therapy jobs in America are going to find that, in many U.S. states, unique rules apply for meeting requirements set by individual state Physical Therapy Boards and, fortunately, Travel Force covers them all.

Don’t forget to check out the foreign trained physical therapy license page at Travel Force today—where we supply talented physical therapists, of all nationalities, with everything they need to meet state board requirements and hit the ground running in the physical therapy career of their dreams—WHEREVER their ambition decides to take them.

Therapy Career Resources for Foreign PTs—your Go-To Guide

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 07.23.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How To's, How to Tips, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, physical therapy job questions

Foreign PT License Requirements and FAQ’s you should bookmark!

Were you trained for a physical therapy career outside of the United States, and looking for a therapy job here? If yes, welcome to our Go-To guide, featuring information on the Top 10 states for physical therapy careers, as well as direct links to state licensure applications.

Top 10 States for PTs
You’ll note some states’ pages for foreign PTs answer frequently asked questions, while others route the foreign trained physical therapist directly to an online application, instructions for obtaining licensure or all of the above. Every state is slightly different in its approach, but the bottom line is the same: qualified applicants who meet state licensing authority criteria enjoy rewarding and high paying physical therapy careers!

California: The Physical Therapy Board of California assists foreign educated Physical Therapist graduates from accredited and non-accredited programs. You’ll note that this state’s page gives a shortlist of what you’ll need to get in order before you apply, plus a direct link to an online application.

Colorado: The Colorado Division of Registrations provides an online application and instructions on how to take the NPTE exam; it also lists basic requirements for foreign trained Physical Therapist licensure.

Florida: The Florida Department of Health answers FAQs for Foreign Trained Applicants and an “Apply for a license” link that helps you get started.

Iowa: The Iowa Department of Public Health’s Physical Therapist licensure information is the same for foreign and domestic applicants on the online application.

Illinois: The Division for Professional Registration handles licensure for all applicants, both domestic and foreign trained in physical therapy careers; this site does not provide a specific page intended for foreign trained PTs; however, they do provide contact information for sources who can answer your questions.

Massachusetts: The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation states that graduates of foreign physical therapy programs may be eligible for licensure in MA, but that the Board accepts only the evaluations prepared by the FCCPT

Maryland: The Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners provides detailed instructions for foreign trained Physical Therapist applicants; you’ll notice two different licensure links for foreign PTs; one for “Licensure by Examination” and one for “Licensure by Endorsement”. You will also note this state accepts evaluation credentials sent by the FCCPT.

Ohio: The Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board provides an online application for licensure as a PT or PTA, with instructions for foreign applicants on the PT applicant page.

Texas:  The Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners provides instructions for foreign trained physical therapist applicants; they provide, on this page, an “Apply for a License Now” link.

Washington:  The Washington State Department of Health reviews all applications for Physical Therapist licensure, domestic and foreign trained, and provides a “packet” of all the materials you will need to work in Washington physical therapy jobs.

Working in Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs
For foreign students of physical therapy, the process of obtaining licensure is more difficult for PTAs (physical therapy assistants) than it is PTs—we covered the reason in a related press release, but you’ll want to read on for direct links to therapy career resources that exist to help you transcend this minor obstacle. Just do the following, in the following order, and you’ll soon be working in physical therapy assistant jobs:

Complete all educational requirements to become a Physical Therapist Assistant

• Apply for the National Physical Therapy Assistant Examination (NPTAE), pass it, then successfully take the National Physical Therapy Examination

And

• Apply for a student visa (F1 Visa) and then apply to accredited Physical Therapist Schools; Canadian physical therapists can work on a non-immigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa
• After you complete your education and prior to graduation, apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows you to work in the U.S. for up to one year.

Commonalities Shared by State Licensing Boards
Foreign trained applicants should have the following items in order before applying for state licensure:

• Social Security Numbers: you can apply for licensure and take the exam prior to getting a social security number; however, you will need the S-S-N prior to receiving your license.
• iBT TOEFL: a passing score on this test proves you are proficient in English. Minimum score required is 89, as well as accompanying minimum scores in the test’s four components: 24 in writing; 26 in speaking; 21 in reading comprehension; and 18 in listening comprehension
• A letter: from the applicant’s university stating that at the time the student received their first degree the language of instruction was English.
• Requirements for Credential Evaluations: Once you pass the NPTE exam, you must prove your education is on par with state standards.
• The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT): This non-profit organization assists many foreign trained PTs in showing their educational credentials are equivalent to current standards in the United States. See if your state board of physical therapy will work with them.

Remember that using therapy career resources, like each relevant link in this blog, can help you get to work fast!  For the foreign trained, as well as every professional working in travel physical therapy jobs, we wish you great luck in your new home!

Footnote: Some online physical therapy career resources cited here were taken from The Rehab License Network, which was created with the goal of making allied healthcare licensing information easier to obtain and/or maintain for rehab professionals.