Introduction: What to Expect on the NPTAE: Content Outline, Examination Administration, and Format

The National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination (NPTAE) is a 200-question, 4-hour multiple-choice examination designed to equitably test all candidates for entry-level knowledge of content and safety aspects in physical therapy to ensure only competent persons earn licensure to practice physical therapy. The examination is created through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).

Additional information regarding the examination and registration can be found at the FSBPT website: www.fsbpt.org.

The examination is 4 hours in length and comprises the following:

• 200-question examination

  • The examination is split into four separate sections of 50 questions. Once a 50-question section is submitted, the candidate cannot return to those questions.

  • One hundred and fifty questions are scored, 50 are unscored pretest questions and will not be included in the final calculation of the score. Candidates will not know which questions are pretest questions, and they will be embedded throughout the examination.

  • First two 50-question sections are allotted 2 hours; third and fourth sections are allotted 2 hours.

  • A scheduled 15-minute break is allowed between the second and third sections.

The passing score is 600.

• All jurisdictions and state licensing agencies have adopted FSBPT’s criterion-referenced passing score.

• Questions are weighted, which means they do not equate to “one point per question,” but scores are based on difficulty levels of questions.

• Criterion-based passing scores range from 95 to 108 questions correct out of the 150 scored questions.

• The candidate’s scaled score reported by FSBPT ranges between 200 and 800, with a passing score of 600.

• Candidates requesting accommodations (ie, additional examination time, specialized testing environment) for individual circumstances should contact their state licensing board at least 4 months before the test date for information on options available.

The NPTAE is only offered four times per year, and registration closes approximately 1 month before the examination date. The candidate’s academic institution must create an FSBPT profile, which provides the tester with instructions on creating an FSBPT ID and profile. Candidates must first register and be approved by the state licensing agency for where they plan to practice. Candidates can only apply to test and practice in one jurisdiction at a time. Each state has different criteria and requirements for application, and the candidate should contact their specific jurisdiction for more information. Following approval by the jurisdiction, the candidate can register for the NPTAE at www.fsbpt.org.

Specific test dates can be found at FSBPT’s website www.fsbpt.org.

Candidates will take the NPTAE at a Prometric Testing Center located throughout the United States. Once a notice of testing eligibility is received from FSBPT, the candidate is encouraged to reserve a testing seat at www.prometric.com to ensure a convenient testing site is available. Demand is high for testing dates and times with Prometric; however, many options are available throughout the week, and appointments can be made in the morning or afternoon.

Generally, FSBPT releases a candidate’s examination results 6 to 7 days after testing by logging in to your FSBPT account. Additional examination reports can be purchased through FSBPT. For specific examination result release dates, refer to FSBPT’s website www.fsbpt.org.

If you are unsuccessful at the NPTAE, you can reregister to retake the examination on the following test date offered. You are allowed three consecutive attempts at taking the NPTAE before skipping a test date in sequence. In most jurisdictions, there is a six-attempt lifetime limit taking the NPTAE.

As you prepare for the NPTAE, it is important to be efficient and effective with your study time. The FSBPT, which provides an outline and description of each content area tested on the NPTAE, is available on the FSBPT website. This information is summarized in the following section. Pay close attention to which body systems and content areas make up the largest percentage of the examination. These areas are where you should spend most of your review to best prepare for success in this critical examination.

Additional information is available to the public, including an examination content outline can be found at www.fsbpt.org.

Each major body system will be broken down into questions based on content areas. This section describes the different content areas, questions per section, and sample NPTAE questions similar to the content areas. First, review the type of information included in each content area. Then, pay attention to which content areas will constitute most questions within the body system to help streamline your studying.

Utilizing current best evidence, this section assesses the understanding and application of tests and measures. Using information gathered within this category, questions will cover the appropriate and effective application of knowledge to patient/client management through treatment and interventions while promoting health throughout the lifespan.

This section assesses the understanding of diseases and conditions of major body systems including the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary system. Questions in this category cover the appropriate and effective application of knowledge to patient/client management through treatment and interventions while promoting health throughout the lifespan.

According to current best practice, this section assesses the understanding and impact of interventions (including types, applications, responses and potential complications) for major body systems including the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and integumentary system. Questions in this category cover the appropriate and effective application of knowledge to patient/client management through treatment and interventions while promoting health throughout the lifespan.

According to current best practice, this section assesses the understanding and utilization of different equipment, devices and technologies incorporating safety and contextual determinants for their application and use. Questions in this category cover the appropriate and effective application of knowledge to patient/client management through treatment and interventions while promoting health throughout the lifespan.

According to current best practice, this section assesses the understanding and utilization of different therapeutic modalities incorporating various safety and contextual determinants for their application and use. Questions in this category cover the appropriate and effective application of knowledge to patient/client management through treatment and interventions while promoting health throughout the lifespan.

The following information regarding the application, indications, contraindications, and precautions for the use of modalities that may appear on the NPTAE was taken from the FSBPT PTA Exam Content Outline:

• Thermal modalities.

• Iontophoresis.

• Electrotherapy (ie, neuromuscular electrical stimulation [NMES], transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS], functional electrical stimulation [FES], interferential therapy, and high-voltage pulsed current).

• Phonophoresis.

• Ultrasound modalities.

• Mechanical modalities (ie, Mechanical motion devices, traction devices).

• Biofeedback.

• Intermittent compression.

This section assesses the understanding of factors affecting patient/client protection and safety in addition to the role of the health care professional to provide safe and effective treatment. The following information regarding safety and protection that may appear on the NPTAE was taken from the FSBPT PTA Exam Content Outline:

• Factors influencing safety and injury prevention (eg, safe patient handling, fall prevention, equipment maintenance, environmental safety).

• Function, implications, and related precautions of intravenous lines, tubes, catheters, monitoring devices, and mechanical ventilators/oxygen delivery devices.

• Emergency preparedness (eg, cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR], first aid, disaster response).

• Infection control procedures (eg, standard/universal precautions, isolation techniques, sterile technique).

• Signs/symptoms of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and neglect.

This section assesses the knowledge and role of health care professionals to provide a trustworthy environment for clinical decision-making. The following information regarding professional responsibilities that may appear on the NPTAE was taken from the FSBPT PTA Exam Content Outline: Standards of documentation.

• Patient–client rights (eg, ADA, IDEA, HIPAA, patient bill of rights).

• Human resource legal issues (eg, OSHA, sexual harassment).

• Roles and responsibilities of the physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, other health care professionals, and support staff.

• Standards of professional ethics.

• Standards of billing, coding, and reimbursement.

• Obligations for reporting illegal, unethical, or unprofessional behaviors (eg, fraud, abuse, neglect).

• State and federal laws, rules, regulations, and industry standards set by state and accrediting bodies (eg, state licensing entities, Joint Commission, CARF, CMS).

• Risk management and quality assurance (eg, policies and procedures, incident reports, peer chart review).

• Cultural factors and/or characteristics that affect patient–client management (eg, language differences, disability, ethnicity, customs, demographics, religion).

• Socioeconomic factors that affect patient–client management.

• Health information technology (eg, electronic medical records, telemedicine).

This section assesses the knowledge and role of health care professionals to interpret and incorporate current research into evidence-based practice and clinical decision-making. Information includes the following content: The following information regarding research and evidence-based practice that may appear on the NPTAE was taken from the FSBPT PTA Exam Content Outline:

• Research methodology and interpretation (eg, qualitative, quantitative, levels of evidence).

• Data collection techniques (eg, surveys, direct observation).

• Measurement science (eg, reliability, validity).

• Techniques for accessing evidence (eg, peer-reviewed publications, scientific proceedings, guidelines, clinical prediction rules).

FSBPT has determined several content areas that are not deemed critical for entry-level PTAs to be tested on the NPTAE. What follows is a list of those areas that will NOT be tested according to the FSBPT PTA Exam Content Outline. Use this information to streamline your studying to include only pertinent information.

FSBPT has made the list of critical and noncritical PTA work activities available to the public at https://www.fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/NPTE-Development/Ensuring-Validity.

DATA COLLECTION

• Performing tests and measures of the following:

  • Body composition (ie, percent body fat, lean muscle mass).

  • Superficial reflexes and reactions (cremasteric and abdominal reflex).

INTERVENTIONS

• Performance of the following manual therapy techniques:

  • Manual lymphatic drainage.

  • Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

  • Peripheral joint manipulation (thrust) or spinal mobilization/manipulation (thrust).

  • Taping for lymphatic drainage.

• Application, adjustment, or training of the following equipment and devices:

  • Mechanical neuromuscular reeducation technologies (weighted vests, robotic exoskeletons, antigravity treadmills).

• Performance or training of the following integumentary techniques:

  • Selective enzymatic or autolytic debridement.

  • Sharp debridement.

  • Hyperbaric therapy.

  • Negative-pressure wound therapy.

• Utilization of the following therapeutic modalities:

  • Contrast bath/pools.

  • Phototherapy/laser light.

  • Infrared agents.

  • Fluidotherapy.

  • Diathermy.

  • Shockwave therapy.

• Application of the following research and evidence-based practice:

  • Design and/or direct research activities.

  • Participation in research activities.