Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below are the ones we hear most frequently from licensees. Before calling the Physical Therapy Board, check below to see if your question is answered. We will add new questions from time to time. Keep in mind that these are general answers, and do not constitute a formal response from the Board to a specific situation
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO APPLY FOR LICENSURE WITH THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO PHYSICAL THERAPY BOARD?
$250.00 PT Application fee
$200 PTA Application fee
$25 Jurisprudence Exam fee
$25 Administrative fee for the national exam
$35 Temporary Licensure fee (ONLY if requesting a temporary license)
One check or money order may include all fees.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TAKE THE NATIONAL EXAMINATION WITH FSBPT (FEDERATION OF STATES BOARDS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY) AND WHAT PAPERWORK IS REQUIRED?
$350 National Exam fee
A certified check or money order, no personal or business checks will be accepted, and MUST be made payable to FSBPT (Federation of State Boards for Physical Therapy), along with the bubble sheets if not applying online. These sheets are available online. An applicant can also register and pay for the exam online at www.fsbpt.net/pt/index/cfm. This will expedite the exam process.
CAN I APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY LICENSE WHILE I AM WAITING TO TAKE THE NATIONAL EXAM?Temporary Licensure
If the applicant has not yet taken the exam, the applicant may be issued a temporary license to practice until the results of the exam are received. A temporary supervisory form MUST be completed, notarized, and received by the Board with a $35 fee to be eligible for the temporary license. This temporary license will expire 180 days from issuance or notification of failure of the national exam.
WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO SUBMIT FOR EDUCATIONAL TRAINING?
PTs shall have completed a program equivalent to an post-baccalaureate degree from an
accredited program in physical therapy. In addition to your application, you will need to request that official transcripts be sent directly from the school of graduation to the Board office. If you have recently graduated and are waiting for your official transcripts, a certificate of proficiency or a statement of official transcript that the curriculum has been completed as required in the Act, Section 61-12-10, signed by the director of the program or the registrar of the school. However, official transcripts will be required upon completion.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKES TO GET APPROVAL TO SIT FOR THE EXAM AFTER SUBMISSION OF MATERIALS
2-5 business days from the time your name appears on the FSBPT website.
HOW LONG BEFORE BEING NOTIFIED OF RESULTS
2-5 business days, after receipt of results.
WHAT IS THE JURISPRUDENCE EXAM AND WHAT SCORE DO I NEED TO PASS?
The jurisprudence exam is an open book exam, which covers questions related to regulation and licensing. Passing score is 80% or better.
HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE FROM THE TIME I APPLY AND THE TIME I CAN TAKE MY TEST? (60) day window, after we make the applicant eligible.
The Board office will make the applicant eligible to sit for the national exam following completion of the application and receipt of all required documentation; this is completed within 5 working days.
WHAT IF I TAKE THE TEST IN NEW MEXICO, BUT GET A JOB IN ANOTHER STATE, WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
Scores still come from New Mexico, you will need a score transfer from FSBPT. You will receive your exam scores from the NM Physical Therapy office; you will need to contact the state(s) for licensing requirements.
IF I AM APPLYING FOR LICENSURE IN ANOTHER STATE BUT TOOK MY TEST IN NEW MEXICO, DO I STILL NEED A TEMPORARY LICENSURE SUPERVISORY FORM?
Only if you intend to work in New Mexico.
WHAT INFORMATION AND FORMS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PACKET I MAIL TO THE FEDERATION?
If you decide not to register online, you will need to submit a certified check or money order made payable to FSBPT in the amount of $350, along with a completed bubble sheet, which can be requested by contacting FSBPT.
WHO IS PRO-METRIC, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO MEET THEIR
REQUIREMENTS AND HOW MUCH DO THEY CHARGE?|
Pro-Metric is the testing agency; you will get all the information needed from FSBPT.
HOW OFTEN CAN I TAKE THE LICENSING EXAM AND WHAT ARE THE
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS EACH TIME I TAKE IT?
Up to five times before you will be required to repeat your accredited educational program. You will have to follow the guideline set by the board for each failure, and submit the applicable proctor fee’s to retake the exam.
CAN I GET EXTRA TIME TO TAKE THE TEST IF I HAVE A LEARNING
DISABILITY OR LANGUAGE PROBLEM?
You will need a letter from your physician confirming the disability.
HOW CAN I GET MY SCORE RELEASED TO MY PTA PROGRAM?
A pass/fail letter will be sent to you by the Board office with your test score. No other information is released. You can contact FSBPT for a score transfer.
WHAT IF THE COMPUTER FAILS DURING MY EXAM OR I ACCIDENTALLY EXIT THE EXAM BEFORE I AM FINISHED?
Contact FSBPT.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I AM ACCUSED OF CHEATING?
Contact FSBPT.
HOW MANY CEUS DO I NEED EACH YEAR AND WHEN IS THE RENEWAL
DATE?
You are required to submit (20) CEUs with your renewal each year which is February 1. This is when your license expires.
WHAT IF I BECOME DISABLED AND CANNOT WORK, DO I STILL NEED CEUS?
Yes.
