How should I prepare for the PRT?
Preparation, in terms of reviewing specific knowledge areas, is not required. You should review the content outline so you will have an awareness of the specific knowledge areas and systems comprising the PRT. Since the content is made up of scenarios with multiple choice questions regarding the scenarios, candidates should make sure they are comfortable taking multiple-choice, computerized assessments.
Where can I view detailed information on knowledge areas and systems that will be covered in the PRT?
Download the PRT Content Outline.
Sit for the PRT at your chosen Prometric site. You must sit for the PRT within six months of your registration date. If you do not take the PRT you will forfeit your registration fee.
If you have a documented disability, you may request ADA accommodations to take the PRT. Return the completed Request for ADA Accommodations for the PRT by fax to 410-385-8504.
What are my PRT registration fees?
The fee for the PRT is $250. This fee is paid at the same time you schedule your PRT appointment.
Can individuals with disabilities be accommodated?
You must submit appropriate documentation of your request for ADA accommodations to Prometric. Only those candidates who have been granted approval from Prometric will receive ADA accommodations during the PRT.
To request accommodations, return the completed Request for ADA Accommodations for the PRT by fax to 410-385-8504. All Prometric centers are fully accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What is Prometric?
Prometric is the name of the company that provides FSBPT’s computer-based delivery of the PRT. You may visit their website at www.prometric.com for more information.
When may I take my PRT?
You must sit for the PRT within six months from the date you register online. You are strongly encouraged to make an appointment as soon as possible so that you can choose a date and time that is optimal for you.
What information must I provide when I schedule my PRT with Prometric?
Your Name
Daytime telephone number
PT License Number
Type of payment: credit/debit card or electronic check
Where and when you would like to take the PRT (location of Prometric Center and desired date). Selecting a Prometric center is done as part of the scheduling process.
What is the Prometric fee for my PRT?
There is only one fee for the PRT, $250.
What are the acceptable forms of payment for the PRT?
Payment for the PRT may be made by credit/debit card (Visa or MasterCard) or by electronic check. Payment information must be provided at the time you schedule your PRT. It is not possible to pay at the Prometric center.
To pay by credit card, you will be asked to provide a valid credit card number and expiration date. To pay by electronic check, you will be asked to provide bank information and a checking account number. This information can be found on one of your blank checks. Your credit card will be charged or your account debited on the day of your PRT.
Should I reconfirm before the date of my appointment?
Yes. It is an excellent idea to confirm your appointment. If you schedule online with Prometric at www.prometric.com/fsbpt you will automatically receive an email confirmation with your appointment information. Otherwise, you can check online at www.prometric.com or call Prometric at 1-800-796-9857. When you call, you will need the confirmation number provided when your appointment was scheduled. You can reconfirm the date, time, and location of your appointment using Prometric's automated system.
How will I find my local Prometric Center?
There are three ways to get directions to your local Prometric Center: 1) You may access directions through Prometric's Registration Center at 1-800-796-9857. 2) You may call a local Prometric Center and ask for directions. 3) You may obtain directions via the Internet at www.prometric.com/fsbpt. Once there, click on "Locate a Test Center," and then choose "Practice Review Tool" from the drop down menu. Choose the state in which you want to take the PRT, and you will be provided with a current list of Prometric centers.
Is the PRT available at all Prometric centers?
No. The PRT is offered at most Prometric centers in the United States. It is not offered overseas. For a complete list of Prometric sites that do offer the PRT, visit Prometric's website at www.prometric.com.
If I am unable to keep the scheduled appointment, how do I reschedule?
You may cancel or reschedule the PRT 30 or more days prior to your appointment at no charge by calling Prometric at 800-796-9857 or by going to www.prometric.com/fsbpt.
If you cancel or reschedule your appointment 3 to 29 days prior to your appointment, you will be charged a reschedule fee of $25 by Prometric.
If you cancel or reschedule your PRT within two days of your appointment, fail to appear for your scheduled PRT, or arrive late and are refused admission, you will forfeit the entire PRT fee.
Cancellation/Reschedule Period
Cancellation/Rescheduling Fee
30 or more days before appointment date
No charge
Between 3 and 29 days before scheduled date
$25 per cancellation/reschedule
Less than 3 days before the PRT, no-show, or arrives more than fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled start time and is refused admission
The full Prometric Sitting Fee for the cancelled/rescheduled appointment
Are refunds available for no-shows?
NO. If you fail to contact Prometric a minimum of two business days prior to your appointment to cancel or to reschedule your appointment and do not show up for your PRT, you will not receive a refund.
If I schedule to take the PRT, but do not take it, will I receive a refund?
NO. You should only register and pay for the PRT if you intend to take it within six months.
What are the requirements for admission to the Prometric center?
You must arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment with two forms of acceptable identification. Acceptable ID is a currently valid, government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, etc.), and another piece of identification pre-printed with your name and containing your signature such as a credit card. On both forms of ID your signature must match your pre-printed name. A Social Security card is not an acceptable form of identification. As part of your identification processing, the driver’s license/passport will be swiped in order to retain scanned information.
Your first and last name on both forms of ID must exactly match the first and last name you provided to Prometric during your registration and scheduling. If you are denied admittance due to any problem with your identification you will forfeit your Prometric fee and will be required to schedule another appointment.
Will I be thumb-printed or photographed at the Prometric center?
Yes. A digital image of your fingerprint will be taken and you will be photographed at the Prometric center. Another fingerprint will be taken each time you leave the testing room during the PRT. Additionally, all sessions will be videotaped.
How much time will I have for the PRT?
You are allowed 2 1/2 hours for the PRT. There are 125 items (questions). Your actual appointment time will be 3 hours.
Why is my appointment time longer than the PRT itself?
The appointment time is three hours even though the PRT itself is only 2 /12 hours. The extra half hour is to allow for the mandatory tutorial and post-PRT survey.
What is a scenario?
The PRT is delivered in scenarios with approximately five multiple-choice questions that you must answer regarding that scenario. Each scenario describes a general practice issue that you could encounter in a general physical therapy practice setting. Once you have answered a question, you cannot return to the question to review or change your answers.
Will there be a penalty for items answered incorrectly?
No. Scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly. You should consider the answers to each question carefully and select the correct or best one. There is only one correct or best answer to each question.
What will the temperature be in the testing center?
The temperature in the Prometric centers varies and people perceive temperature differently. You should dress in layers that can be removed if you become uncomfortable. For security reasons, Prometric does not allow bulky jackets to be worn.
Can I take a break during the PRT?
Since the PRT is a short tool there is no official break. If you’d like to take a short break you can do so between scenarios. During a break the PRT timer continues to elapse. This means time spent on a break is time that you are choosing to not spend on the PRT.
Is computer knowledge necessary?
No. Computer knowledge is not required to take the PRT. Before the beginning the PRT, a simple tutorial is presented that explains the process of selecting answers and moving from question to question. The time you spend on the tutorial does not count against the time allotted for the PRT. Most candidates take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete the tutorial and may repeat it, if desired. You may select your answers using either the keyboard or the mouse. It is required that you take the tutorial prior to taking the PRT.
Can I mark items for later review?
No. Since this is an unfolding scenario-based assessment, you will not be able to move forward until you have answered a question. Once you’ve answered a question, you will not be able to return to that question.
While taking the PRT, can I move back and forth between questions or scenarios?
No. Again, since this is an unfolding scenario-based tool, you will not be able to move forward until you have answered a question. Once you’ve answered a question, you will not be able to return to that question. You also cannot skip a scenario or return to a scenario once you’ve completed it.
Can I use "scratch paper" when taking the PRT?
Yes. You are allowed to use "scratch paper" that is supplied at the Prometric center. The "scratch paper" will be an erasable note board. You are not allowed to bring in your own scratch paper. Prometric center staff will collect the erasable note board at the completion of the PRT.
Can I use earplugs when taking the PRT?
No. The Prometric center will supply headphones to help dampen noise but not earplugs. Candidates should expect that there will be some background noise. There may be candidates in surrounding cubicles taking typing intensive tests. There may be other candidates entering and leaving the room during the course of the PRT. The headphones will help to dampen noise that you may find distracting.
What can I do if there is glare on the computer screen?
As a first step, you should reposition the computer monitor to eliminate the glare. If the glare persists despite attempts to adjust the position of the monitor, and you still have difficulty seeing the computer screen, you should notify Prometric staff immediately of the problem.
What can I do if I experience a delay in starting my PRT?
You should note that your appointment time is not necessarily your starting time. You will have to be checked-in before taking the PRT (i.e., sign in, present the appropriate identification, get thumb-printed and photographed). The check-in process may take time if many candidates have the same appointment time. However, if the delay is more than 30 minutes after your scheduled appointment, and you cannot continue to wait, Prometric will allow you to reschedule for another time.
What can I do if the computer malfunctions while taking the PRT?
If you experience technical difficulties while taking the PRT, you must alert Prometric staff immediately. If Prometric staff cannot remedy the situation within 30 minutes, or the problem persists despite attempts to remedy the problem, you have the right to request rescheduling of the PRT on another day at no additional cost. The time Prometric spends remedying a problem does not count as part of the PRT time. You should notify FSBPT of the technical difficulties at PracticeReview@fsbpt.org.
What happens if there is a fire drill, evacuation, or other unexpected event during my PRT?
If the disruption lasts for less than 30 minutes, you will be expected to complete the PRT. If the disruption is longer than 30 minutes, you have the right to request rescheduling on another day at no additional cost.
What should I do if I experience other disruptions not covered here?
You should alert Prometric staff immediately to disruptions occurring within the testing room. The sooner the Prometric staff is aware of a problem, the sooner steps can be taken to reduce or eliminate the disruption.
Can I make comments concerning the PRT administration?
Yes. You are given the opportunity to complete a survey after finishing the PRT. The survey is presented on the computer and consists of questions about the administration.
What is the FSBPT policy regarding security?
The FSBPT policy is that you must act to protect the integrity of the PRT at all times, i.e., before, during, and after you take the PRT. The PRT is the property of the FSBPT and is protected by trade secret, contract, and federal copyright laws. THE FSBPT STRICTLY PROHIBITS ANY SHARING OF ANY INFORMATION WHATSOEVER ABOUT ANY QUESTION CONTAINED WITHIN ANY PAST OR PRESENT PRT. The FSBPT warns that it is a violation of FSBPT’s property rights in the PRT and is illegal to share questions or scenarios that are on the PRT or to ask any person who has taken the PRT about any question or scenario.
If you give or receive assistance during the PRT, you can be required to stop immediately and leave the room. The PRT will not be scored. The performance of all candidates is monitored and may be analyzed statistically for purposes of detecting and verifying cheating. For security purposes, each candidate who wishes to take the PRT is requested to enter into the following agreement before accessing the PRT at the Prometric center:
In consideration for, and as a condition of, being permitted to use this tool, I hereby understand, acknowledge, and agree that the entire contents of this tool are the exclusive property of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, and that these contents are protected by federal copyright law. No part of the tool may be copied, reproduced, in part or whole, by any means whatsoever, including memorization, note-taking, or electronic transmission.
I further attest and certify that I am a licensed Physical Therapist.
By clicking “yes” you accept the Security and Attestation agreements. You understand and will comply with the Security and Attestation agreements.
If you do not accept these agreements click “no” and the session will terminate.
If you choose not to accept the security agreement and the attestation statement you will not be allowed to take the PRT.
How will I get my PRT results?
You will receive your PRT results at the Prometric center once you have completed the tool and the post-PRT survey. The Prometric center administrator will print your Completion Certificate and Feedback Report. Your overall score Feedback Report will be either “Sufficiently Qualified” or “Needs Improvement.”
Will anyone else receive my results?
No. This information will not be transmitted to anyone but you.
What if I want to send the results of the PRT to the licensing board for my continuing education/continuing competence requirements?
Since it is your responsibility to keep records of your continuing education activities, you will be responsible for submitting the PRT results to the licensure board.
Do you know which licensing boards give continuing education/continuing competence credit for successfully completing the PRT?
Yes. View which licensing authorities give credit, and how much credit they give.
What is the PRT retake policy?
You can take the PRT two times a year, with the year starting August 1st and ending July 31st. You must wait three months between attempts.
Do I need to wait a specified period of time between PRTs?
Yes. You must wait three months between attempts.
