In this issue:
FSBPT President David Relling announced in October that Susan Newman, then Chief Operating Officer, would succeed outgoing CEO William Hatherill beginning January 2026. As of January, Susan has officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and now leads the organization.
The announcement was shared during the Annual Education Meeting on October 24, 2025. Susan Newman has served as COO for more than a decade, playing a pivotal role in advancing FSBPT’s strategic initiatives, including examination development, membership engagement, and regulatory leadership. Susan brings continuity and a deep understanding of FSBPT’s mission and operations to this important transition. Her appointment reflects the Board’s confidence in her ability to lead the organization into its next chapter.
Once issued, NPTE scores are final. Candidates who come up just shy of the passing standard for the NPTE are understandably disappointed. That is why FSBPT goes to great lengths to ensure NPTE examinations are accurately scored and the items are sufficiently validated.
The NPTE Examination Development Committee (EDC) reviews all NPTE items at least twice before they are used on a form as a scored item to ensure they are entry-level and that there is one clear best answer. In all, more than twenty professionals review an item before it is used for scoring, most of whom are licensed PT professionals, with support from editors, fairness reviewers, and quality assurance specialists. Items are also field tested as unscored items and then evaluated for statistical properties.
FSBPT takes a similar, thorough approach to scoring the NPTE. Three separate systems score each examination and conduct quality assurance checks. We review any anomalous data before transmitting scores to candidates and licensing jurisdictions.
If candidates have feedback on an item, it is best to note it on their whiteboard at Prometric and include those comments in the post-exam survey before they leave the test center. Feedback is thoroughly reviewed but does not impact individual scores.
NPTE test takers are prohibited from accessing their cell phones at any point while taking the exam. This includes any time there is a break.
Anyone accessing their cell phone will have their NPTE immediately terminated and will be asked to leave the testing center. It is important that students understand that an attempt that is terminated due to accessing a cell phone will count toward their 6-time lifetime limit.
Students can learn more helpful tips for test day about cell phone policies by watching: NPTE in 60 Seconds - Cell Phone Policy. FSBPT has also updated the Candidate Handbook and website to clarify cell phone use. Lastly, FSBPT will send all scheduled candidates a targeted notification a week before their exams, reminding them of this important policy.
Item writing for the NPTE is a great way to gain expertise in crafting multiple-choice questions, share your knowledge of the profession, work with and learn from colleagues, and have fun!
The following workshops are tentative for 2026:
Workshops
Regional Workshops
If you or someone you know would like to participate in an Item Writing Workshop, learn more and apply or send an inquiry to volunteer@fsbpt.org.
Visit the FSBPT website for information on a range of topics.
If you have questions, challenges, or ideas, we want to hear from you!
(703) 299-3100
Topics
FSBPT issues
Susan Newman, Chief Executive Officer, ext. 224
General questions and feedback; research questions
Richard Woolf, Chief Professional Officer, ext. 232
Psychometrics, test development, and test construction
Lorin Mueller, Chief Research Officer, ext. 206
Exam administration issues, ADA
Christine Sousa, Vice President of Customer Service, ext. 201
Foreign-educated graduates
Jaime Nolan, Managing Director of FCCPT, ext. 403
School Reports: schoolreports@fsbpt.org
schoolreports@fsbpt.org
Practice Exam and Assessment Tool (PEAT): peat@fsbpt.org
peat@fsbpt.org