Clarification as to the FCCPT’s substantial equivalency of foreign-educated Physical Therapists (PT)

The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) issued a letter clarifying its educational equivalency for foreign educated Physical Therapists in February of 2009. Recently, there has been much confusion over the issue.

The FCCPT is the only entity authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to issue such certificates, which verify that a foreign applicant has acquired an education substantially equivalent to the US standard in education of physical therapists.

In summary, the letter provides that when the FCCPT issues a Type 1 Comprehensive Credentials Review Certificate, it is asserting that the applicant has acquired at least a Master’s degree or higher in Physical Therapy, as required under the regulations.