Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students and graduates preparing for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for physical therapists can use this page to check the exam basics and practise by topic. The NPTE is run by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Here you get free question sets across the main areas of PT practice, worked explanations of sample questions, a study plan, and answers to common questions about format, scoring and eligibility. Practice with the free Board Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (9 questions with answer explanations).
Interactive Board Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (PT) | 225 questions in 5 sections[1] | Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Passing score | Scale score of 600 (scale 200-800)[2] | Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery | Prometric test centers[3] | Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility | CAPTE graduate (or on track); non-CAPTE graduates need jurisdiction approval[4] | Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Testing window (PT, October 2026) | October 27-28, 2026[5] | Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy · Oct 25, 2026 |
According to Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, “The PT exam has 5 sections and 225 questions.”[1]
A Doctor of Physical Therapy degree does not by itself let you practise. To get a license, PT graduates take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) runs for the licensing jurisdictions. This page uses the DPT name because many candidates search for it, but the exam you sit is the NPTE for physical therapists.
Format and delivery. The PT exam has 225 questions in 5 sections. You take it at a Prometric test center, where FSBPT says testing rooms are carefully controlled.
Scoring. Results are reported on a scale from 200 to 800, and the passing standard is a scale score of 600. A scale score is not a raw count of correct answers, so do not try to turn it into a percentage.
Eligibility. You can apply if you graduated from a CAPTE-accredited program or are on track to graduate from one. If you did not attend a CAPTE-accredited program, the jurisdiction must approve you before you can take the exam, so start that process early with the board where you plan to practise.
Dates and rules that vary. FSBPT lists October 27-28, 2026 as the October 2026 PT test window. Registration deadlines, fees, retake limits and the timing of score reports are set by FSBPT and your jurisdiction, and they can change. Check them in the NPTE Candidate Handbook and on the Dates and Deadlines page at fsbpt.org before you book.
Prepare for the DPT - Board Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: A patient refuses a recommended intervention after receiving full information about risks and benefits. The PT should:
Answer: B. Document the refusal and respect the patient's autonomous decision
Explanation:
B is correct. The patient was given full information about risks and benefits and still declined, so this is an informed refusal. Respecting autonomy means accepting that decision and documenting it clearly: what you offered, what you explained, and that the patient declined.
A is wrong because a clinical indication never overrides a competent patient's refusal, and treating anyway violates informed consent. C is wrong because asking family to apply pressure undermines the patient's own choice and can breach confidentiality. D is wrong because declining a particular intervention is not grounds for discharge. The PT can still offer other appropriate options.
Rule to remember: an informed, competent patient may refuse any intervention. Respect the refusal, document it, and keep offering the care the patient does accept.
Question: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine are used for chronic musculoskeletal pain primarily because they:
Answer: A. Modulate descending pain inhibitory pathways
Explanation:
A is correct. Duloxetine and other SNRIs raise serotonin and norepinephrine levels. That strengthens the descending inhibitory pathways that run from the brainstem to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which dampens pain signals before they travel upward. This is why SNRIs suit chronic musculoskeletal pain where central sensitization plays a part.
B is wrong because SNRIs are not anti-inflammatory drugs. C describes NMDA receptor antagonists such as ketamine. D is how NSAIDs work: they block cyclooxygenase and so reduce prostaglandin synthesis.
Rule to remember: link each pain drug to where it acts. NSAIDs act peripherally on inflammation, while SNRIs act centrally on descending pain modulation. Knowing this helps you predict what a patient's medication will and will not change during therapy.
Question: A 70-year-old presents with sudden onset of severe unilateral facial droop, arm weakness, and slurred speech. The PT's FIRST action should be:
Answer: B. Call 911 immediately
Explanation:
B is correct. Sudden unilateral facial droop, arm weakness and slurred speech are classic warning signs of stroke. Stroke treatment depends on time, so the PT's FIRST action is to call 911 and get the patient to emergency care.
A and D are wrong because any further screening, including the Cincinnati Stroke Scale, delays care. The signs already present are enough to act on. C is wrong because documenting and notifying the referring physician is too slow in an emergency. Do it after emergency services have been called.
Rule to remember: when the signs point to a medical emergency, call emergency services before you assess further. Questions that ask for the FIRST action often test whether you can tell when evaluation must stop and referral must start.
Start with the NPTE Candidate Handbook on the FSBPT website so you know the rules for registration, test day and scoring. Then use our sets in this order:
The passing standard is a scale score of 600. Scores are reported on a scale from 200 to 800. A scale score is not the same as the percentage of questions you answered correctly, so you cannot work out a pass from a raw count. Score report details are in the FSBPT NPTE Candidate Handbook.
The PT exam has 225 questions in 5 sections. FSBPT publishes timing, break rules and the sections in the Understanding the NPTE part of its Candidate Handbook. Read it before test day so you can pace yourself. Our practice sets let you work by topic before you move on to longer mixed sessions.
You take the NPTE at a Prometric test center. FSBPT says testing rooms at Prometric centers are carefully controlled, so expect identity checks and strict rules about what you can bring in. The Test Day section of the FSBPT Candidate Handbook explains what to expect and what to bring.
Yes, but you need approval first. FSBPT states that every jurisdiction must approve candidates who did not attend a CAPTE-accredited program before they can take the exam. Contact the licensing board where you plan to practise, because its requirements and paperwork can differ from other jurisdictions'. CAPTE graduates, or students on track to graduate, follow the standard registration route.
For licensure, yes. The DPT is the degree, and the exam that licenses physical therapists is the NPTE, run by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Specialist certification after licensure is a separate process with its own requirements. This page covers the NPTE for physical therapists.
No. We wrote every question on this page with AI tools to cover the main areas of PT practice. They are not real exam questions, and they do not predict your score. Use them to find weak areas and learn the reasoning behind each answer. For official details, use the FSBPT Candidate Handbook.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.