It’s okay to look out for something different after being a physiotherapist in your present location for so long. Or maybe you are a fresh graduate seeking adventure and consciously plotting an international pathway for your career…Hmmm or maybe you graduated with a degree in physiotherapy and haven’t really done much with it…The question remains the same….
How can I get an international job? Are there really jobs for physiotherapists abroad or is this career just overhyped?
Overhyped?!!
Are you kidding me?
The key to plotting the right graph for your career is information, so I will do my best to point you in the right direction so you can achieve your dream of getting an international job.
Are there actually best countries for physiotherapy jobs?
So are there actually jobs in the US for physiotherapists?
So what do you have to do to start working in the US as a physiotherapist?
Lots of confidence in yourself is very important; believe you are unique and you have something to offer irrespective of where you could have got your first degree.
Let me walk you through the process…
Firstly you need to research the over 50 states about what their requirements are for physiotherapy registration because I have found out that all states are not the same. Some are quite liberal others are just complex or bossy.
By my own opinion I think they are one of the liberal state boards, you may have a different opinion but I recommend you check out their requirements.
- Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Maryland
- Department of Health DC
- Physiotherapy Board of California
- Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners Texas
- One of the major requirements of getting a physiotherapy license to work in the US is to pass the NPTE exam, which is a multiple choice clinical based exam. Everyone whether US or overseas trained write this exam. The last time I checked the exam was $400. The exam is organised by the FSBT( Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy) and you can get more information about the exam here.
- To be eligible to write this exam, yes you have to be eligible, imagine that….you have to have your physiotherapy curriculum assessed. This form of assessment is called credentialing and this is where the bulk of the process is.
US credentialing process
- The Comprehensive Credential Review (Type 1) is a visa screening service to get a Health Care Worker certificate required for immigration and employment in US as a physiotherapist. There a few agencies accredited to carry out this education evaluation but FCCPT ( Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy) is the most popular in my opinion.
- The following states require a Type 1 review: California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Tennessee, Washington D.C. I however figured that if you are outside the US and need to get a work or migrant visa you should go for the Type 1 comprehensive review.
New Requirements by FCCPT for Foreign Trained Physiotherapists
Thank you for the information!
You're welcome!
Is a DPT qualification needed now?
That's the standard in the US
I am pursuing bachelors of physiotherapy (BPT) in India,
I plan to do my masters (MPT) in Australia
Is it possible to work in USA after completing my masters in Australia
Or are there any colleges in the USA that offer Masters in physiotherapy which is a 2 year course
Because after completing bachelors in India it would be stupid to study DPT which is a 4 year programme and is only equivalent to a bachelor degree
Looking forward for your reply?
Hi, when it comes to a Masters degree in the US, it's a bit tricky… you are more likely to see Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, Exercise Psychology, Rehabilitation Science than a "Masters in Physiotherapy"…Having a Masters from Australia will give you a good advantage in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, if you have interests in those areas.
The choice is really up to you…
After passing the NPTE exam, to obtain a license an aspiring foreign educated PT has to work under a California state borard-recognized PT for 9 months.
Will he be paid during those months?
If yes, will that pay allow the employee to make ends meet?
Please reply.
After passing the NPTE exam, to obtain a license an aspiring foreign educated PT has to work under a California state borard-recognized PT for 9 months.
Will he be paid during those months?
If yes, will that pay allow the employee to make ends meet?
Please reply.
Well I know interns are paid, but how much it would help in meeting needs, I can’t tell.
Please note there is an exception to this: if you obtained a Master’s Degree from Canada, California waves that 9-month clinical supervision requirement (California is the only State that has such a provision for Canadian-educated Master’s graduates).
I completed my bachelor in physiotherapy from India and my Master in Clinical Exercise Science from UK and I want to work in USA so after passing NPTE exam, I am eligible to work as Physical therapist in USA?
Once you have your NPTE, you should be able to work in the Us. However, some states have different requirements. See more about working in the US here https://everythingphysio.com/category/work-abroad/us?