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FSBPT Recommended Standards:

FSBPT research has shown that candidates who meet the following criteria are more likely to pass the NPTE.

  • Meeting the minimum TOEFL standards (below)
  • Having education deemed substantially equivalent on the most recent Coursework Evaluation Tool (CWT)

FSBPT cannot guarantee that meeting these standards will ensure a passing score on the NPTE. Our goal is to provide you with information and research you may find useful. State licensing boards may have requirements that differ from FSBPT’s recommended standards. Individuals MUST meet their state requirements in order to be made eligible for the exam or be considered for licensure.

 

RECOMMENDED ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

 

Obtain the following scores in each section of the TOEFL on one attempt.

TOEFL Section  Minimum Score 
Reading  22
Listening 21 
Writing 22 
Speaking 24

Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL adopted a 1-6 score scale (in 0.5 increments), replacing the previous 0-120 scale.

Until a new standard setting can be completed, FSBPT recommends following the test publisher’s guidance for mapping to the new scale.

TOEFL Section  BPT Current
Minimum Recommendation
ETS/TOEFL Recommendation
Reading  22 4.5
Listening 21 4.5
Writing 22 4.5
Speaking 24 4.5

Click here for the complete concordance table and more information on this score scale update.

NOTE: TOEFL standards for states may differ from FSBPT’s recommended standard.

RECOMMENDED EDUCATIONAL EQUIVALENCE

An individual must have an education that is deemed substantially equivalent to a CAPTE-accredited education. The agency performing the credentials evaluations should be authorized to use FSBPT’s Coursework Evaluation Tool. The education should be substantially equivalent based on the most recent version of the CWT, currently CWT 6.

NOTE: Education equivalence requirements for states may differ from FSBPT’s recommended standard.