Physical Therapy
The practice of physical therapy includes the use of exercises and other treatments to 1) restore physical function; 2) promote fitness and health; and 3) reduce the risk of injuries.
Physical therapy is the care and services provided by or under the direction of a physical therapist.
Physical Therapist Assistants assist physical therapists in the practice of physical therapy.
To qualify for licensure as a physical therapist based on completion of an approved education program, you must submit:
- A completed
application;
- Licensure fee;
- An official transcript (official means issued and sealed by the issuing institution) showing completion of an approved program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association;
- A copy of a driver's license or an official birth or marriage certificate to show evidence of having attained the age of majority (19);
- Official documentation of passing the licensure examination with a scaled score that is greater than or equal to 600 on the National Physical Therapist Examination and a score that is greater than or equal to 600 on the Jurisprudence (NE Law) Examination. An applicant needs to register to take the National Physical Therapy Examination at https://www.fsbpt.net/pt/
To qualify for licensure as a physical therapist based on training as a physical therapist in a foreign country you must submit:
- A completed
- Licensure fee;
- An official evaluation of education credentials prepared by one of the following accrediting agencies: Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT), International Consultants of Delaware, Inc, International Credential Associates, Inc., or International Education Research Foundation;
- An official transcript (official means issued and sealed by the issuing institution) showing completion of any coursework/credit hours required to meet education requirements equivalent to graduation from a United States accredited school or college of physical therapy. Refer to
- A copy of a driver's license or an official birth or marriage certificate to show evidence of having attained the age of majority (19);
- Proof of proficiency in the English language. If English is not your first language, provide proof of passing the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) with a score of 560, "Test of Written English" (TWE) with a score of 4.5 and "Test of Spoken English" (TSE) with a score of 50 administered by Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151; and
- Official documentation of passing the licensure examination with a scaled score that is greater than or equal to 600 on the National Physical Therapist Examination and a score that is greater than or equal to 600 on the Jurisprudence (NE Law) Examination. An applicant needs to register to take the National Physical Therapy Examination at www.fsbpt.net/pt
To qualify for licensure as a physical therapist based on a license issued in another jurisdiction, you must submit:
- A completed
- Licensure fee;
- A copy of a driver's license or an official birth or marriage certificate to show evidence of having attained the age of majority (19);
- Have your scores transferred by completing the Score Transfer Service Request by registering for score transfer via the internet at www.fsbpt.net/pt, if the jurisdiction does not provide the scores;
- Pass the Jurisprudence (NE Law) Examination with a score of 600 or above.
Have the licensing or certifying agency submit to the Department:
- A certification that the applicant is duly licensed or certified, that his or her license or certificate has never been suspended or revoked, and that so far as the record of the agency is concerned, the applicant is entitled to its endorsement on a form provided by the Department or on a form provided by the other state licensing office. (Certifications from each jurisdiction or state where applicant is currently or previously licensed is required.) Such certification shall include:
- The nature of disciplinary actions, if any taken against the applicant’s license or certificate;
- The date of the applicant’s license or certificate;
- Documentation of the requirements for licensure or certification in the other jurisdiction which are currently in effect and which were in effect at the time the license was issued.
In addition, if the jurisdiction does not provide the examination and education information on their certification, you must submit the following:
- An official transcript (official means issued and sealed by the issuing institution) showing completion of an approved program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association or by an equivalent accrediting agency as determined by the Board. If you are a foreign trained applicant, refer to the Rules and Regulations relating to physical therapy for curriculum requirements and an outline of hours which equate to a substantially equivalent program.
Requirements for Certification
To qualify for certification as a physical therapist assistant based on completion of an approved education program you must submit:
- A completed
- Certification fee;
- An official transcript (official means issued and sealed by the issuing institution) showing completion of an approved program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association;
- A copy of a driver's license or an official birth or marriage certificate to show evidence of having attained the age of majority (19);
- Pass the certification examination with a scaled score that is greater than or equal to 600 on the National Physical Therapist Examination and a score that is greater than or equal to 600 on the Jurisprudence Examination (NE Law). An applicant needs to register to take the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination at https://www.fsbpt.net/pt/
To apply for certification as a physical therapist assistant based on a certificate in another jurisdiction, you must submit the following:
- A completed
- Certification fee;
- A copy of a driver's license or an official birth or marriage certificate to show evidence of having attained the age of majority (19);
- Have your scores transferred by completing the Score Transfer Service Request by registering for score transfer via the internet at www.fsbpt.org, if the Jurisdiction does not provide the scores;
- Pass the Jurisprudence (NE Law) examination with a minimum score of 600 or above;
Have the licensing or certifying agency submit to the Department:
- A certification that the applicant is duly licensed or certified, that his or her license or certificate has never been suspended or revoked, and that so far as the record of the agency is concerned, the applicant is entitled to its endorsement on a form provided by the Department or on a form provided by the other state licensing office. (Certifications from each jurisdiction or state where applicant is currently or previously licensed is required.) Such certification shall include:
- The nature of disciplinary actions, if any taken against the applicant’s license or certificate;
- The date of the applicant’s license or certificate;
- Documentation of the requirements for licensure or certification in the other jurisdiction which are currently in effect and which were in effect at the time the license was issued.
In addition, if the jurisdiction does not provide the examination and education information on their certification, you must submit the following:
- An official transcript (official means issued and sealed by the issuing institution) showing completion of an approved program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association.
A physical therapist assistant who is certified by the Department may not commence practice without being supervised by a physical therapist licensed in Nebraska.
Nebraska Jurisprudence (NE Law) Examination
The applicant is required to review the Physical Therapy Statutes and Regulations; the
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 for licensure/certification to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to Licensing & Regulatory Affairs. 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. 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/
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 "Licensing & Regulatory Affairs".
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
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. Beginning November 1, 2003, a physical therapist must pay the renewal fee and attest to completion of 20 hours of continuing education taken during the preceding 24 month period. The licensee may also choose to place his/her license on either inactive status by paying a one time fee of $25.00 and returning the completed renewal notice or place his/her license on lapsed status by marking the lapsed option and returning the completed renewal notice.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. Beginning November 1, 2003, a physical therapist assistant must pay the renewal fee and attest to completion of 10 hours of continuing education taken during the preceding 24 month period. The certificate holder may also choose to place his/her certificate on either inactive status by paying the one time fee of $25.00 and returning the completed renewal notice or place the certificate on lapsed status by marking the lapsed option and returning the completed renewal notice.
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.
Lapsed means that you cannot practice nor represent yourself as a licensed person. To change from Lapsed to Active status, you must make application and meet requirements for initial licensure which are in effect at the time status change is requested.
On or before November 1, 2003, and on or before November 1 of each odd-numbered year thereafter, each physical therapist and each physical therapist assistant who is in active practice must:
Complete continuing education hours to renew a license or 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.
To request an address change, you can contact Irene Eckman at (402) 471-2299 or e-mail at irene.eckman@dhhs.ne.gov If you wish to change your name on your Licensing & Regulatory Affairs record, you must mail a
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Physical Therapy
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986
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
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Physical Therapy
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986
Rules and Regulations/Statutes
NE Law/Jurisprudence Examination Study Materials
The Board of Physical Therapy advises the Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure on all issues related to the regulation of physical therapy. Board member composition and length of terms follows:
| Membership: | 3 physical therapists 1 public member |
| Length of Term: | 5 years, no more than 2 consecutive full 5-year terms. |
| Professional Requirements: | Been actively engaged in practice of his/her profession in the State of Nebraska, under a license issued in this state, for a period of 5 years just preceding his/her appointment. |
| Public Member: |
|
The Board of Physical Therapy meets at least 1 time per year – see Board meeting schedule for meeting dates and times. Meetings are open to the public, with the exception of investigational matters. Minutes of meeting are available here or by contacting Delores James at (402) 471-2299 or by e-mail at delores.james@dhhs.ne.gov
Board of Physical Therapy Advisory Opinions
Office Address:
| Mailing Address | Physical Address |
| Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services - Regulation
and Licensure Licensing & Regulatory Affairs PO Box 94986 Lincoln, NE 68509-4986 |
Nebraska State Office Building 301 Centennial Mall South 14th and M Streets 3rd Floor Lincoln, Nebraska |
Phone: (402) 471-2115
Fax: (402) 471-3577Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (central time)
Monday through FridayPhysical Therapy Licensing Questions:
Irene Eckman, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Phone: (402) 471-2299
e-mail: irene.eckman@dhhs.ne.govPhysical Therapy Scope of Practice Questions:
Diane Hansmeyer, Section Administrator
Phone: (402) 471-2299
e-mail: diane.hansmeyer@dhhs.ne.gov
Nebraska Physical Therapy Association
PO Box 540427
Omaha, NE 68154-0427
Phone: (402) 491-3660
e-mail: npta@npta.org
www.npta.orgFederation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
Administrative Offices
509 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
tel: (703) 299-3100
fax: (703) 299-3110
www.fsbpt.org
Exam Application Processing &
Score Transfer Service
509 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703) 739-9420
Fax: (703) 739-9421
www.fsbpt.net/pt/TransferScores.cfmAmerican Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
Phone: (703) 684-2782 or (800) 999-2782
TDD: (703) 683-6748
Fax: (703) 684-7343
www.apta.org
Certification and Verification information can be obtained by checking the website at: www.dhhs.ne.gov/lis/lisindex.htm
OR
To request either a certification or verification or your license to be sent to another Licensing & Regulatory Affairs/state licensing agency, send your request in writing along with the proper fee to the our office. Checks should be made payable to Licensing & Regulatory Affairs, State of Nebraska.
Certification
- Fee - $25.00
- Certification includes:
- Name
- Profession
- License number
- Issuance date
- Expiration date
- Whether the license was granted by examination, waiver, or reciprocity
- Examination information, if available
- Whether disciplinary action has been taken against the license. If so, the type(s) and date(s) of the action will be included.
- SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
Verification
- Fee - $5.00
- Verification includes:
- Name
- Profession
- License Number
- Expiration Date
- Department Staff Signature
A verification does not include the SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services nor information relating to discipline, school, or examination.
The Licensee Assistance Program (LAP) is an assessment, education, referral, case management, and monitoring service designed to help licensees, certificate holders, and registrants of the State of Nebraska work through substance abuse/addiction problems.
The LAP services are free. However, in some cases treatment from a community resource agency may be needed. If further assistance is needed, the LAP Coordinator will help refer the Licensee to the most appropriate agency. When a treatment referral is made, those expenses become the responsibility of the Licensee.
This program was established by
LAP telephone number: (800) 851-2336 or (402) 354-8055. You may also visit their website at www.lapne.org.
How do I file a complaint? To file a complaint, see the Investigations Division web site: www.dhhs.ne.gov/reg/investi.htm
What activities must be reported by a licensee, certificate holder, or registrant? Every credentialed person who has first-hand knowledge of unlicensed, illegal or unethical activities is required to report (includes self-reporting) within 30 days of the occurrence. Failure to report may result in discipline. To view additional information relating to mandatory reporting, click on the options below:
Mandatory Reporting Forms Mandatory Reporting shall not apply:
- to the spouse of the person,
- to a practitioner who is providing treatment to such person in a practitioner-patient relationship concerning information obtained or discovered in the course of treatment unless the treating practitioner determines that the condition of the person may be of a nature which constitutes a danger to the public health and safety by the person's continued practice, or
- when a credentialed person who is chemically impaired enters the Licensee Assistance Program authorized by
How is a complaint reviewed, and what is the disciplinary process? The following provides information relating to the complaint, investigative, and disciplinary process.
- Investigations web site www.dhhs.ne.gov/reg/investi.htm
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