Frequently Asked Questions
CAPTE - Accreditation
Student/Prospective Students/Parents
Foreign Trained PTs
CAPTE - Accreditation
What is CAPTE?
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
is an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the US
Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education
Accreditation (CHEA). CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to
qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and
physical therapist assistants. CAPTE does not accredit institutions and
is not a Title IV gatekeeper.
The 26-member Commission comprises broad representation from the
educational community, the physical therapy profession, and the public.
Members include physical therapy educators who are basic scientists,
curriculum specialists, and academic administrators; physical therapy
clinicians and clinical educators; administrators from institutions of
higher education; and public representatives. The wide-ranging
experience and expertise of this group in education in general and
physical therapy education in particular provide ongoing assurance that
the accreditation process of physical therapy education programs is
fair, reliable, and effective.
What is
specialized accreditation?
Specialized accreditation is a system for recognizing professional
education programs for a level of performance, integrity, and quality
that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and
the public they serve. Accreditation status signifies that the program
meets established and nationally accepted standards of scope, quality,
and relevance.
What is the profession's
role?
National professional organizations work closely with the
accreditation agency in their individual fields to ensure that persons
entering their professions are receiving formal preparation related to
current requirements for professional practice. In physical therapy, the
cooperative relationship between the American Physical Therapy
Association (APTA) and the Commission follows in this tradition.
How does a
program become accredited?
Accreditation is a voluntary process. Physical therapy education
programs desiring accreditation status apply to CAPTE and must first
achieve candidacy status before being considered for initial
accreditation status. Both steps involve careful internal and external
review and reports; onsite visits by qualified reviewers; and
demonstrated compliance with established evaluative criteria and
guidelines.
Once awarded accreditation status, a program must submit reports
regularly to the Commission ensuring continuing compliance with the
evaluative criteria and is formally reviewed every five to ten
years.
Who benefits from
accreditation?
Everyone! The physical therapy accreditation process is a valuable
service to the public, students, educational institutions, the programs,
and the profession. For example:
- The public is assured that accredited physical therapy
education programs are evaluated extensively and conform to general
expectations in the professional field. Because accreditation requires
continual self-evaluation, regular reports, and periodic external
review, the public can be assured the educational quality of the
programs remains current and reflects changes in knowledge and practice
of the profession. This assurance is particularly important to the
patients who use physical therapy services, their families, and state
licensure boards.
- Students can identify those educational programs that meet
their chosen profession's standards for a quality, relevant education.
Graduation from an accredited program is required for licensure to
practice physical therapy in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
and Puerto Rico; by all states currently licensing physical therapist
assistants; and for individual membership in the American Physical
Therapy Association.
- Institutions of higher education and the education programs
benefit from the stimulus for self-evaluation and self-directed
improvement provided by the accreditation process. Accreditation status
increases opportunities for public and private funding for both the
institution and its students and enhances the credibility and reputation
of the facilities and programs.
- The profession benefits from its members' vital input into
the standards established for entry-level education of its future
professionals. The commitment to excellence in physical therapy practice
is enhanced as the accreditation process brings together practitioners,
teachers, and students in an activity directed toward continual
improvement of professional education.
How often does CAPTE
meet?
CAPTE meets twice a year in April and October. Click
here to view a listing of recent actions taken by CAPTE.
Is CAPTE the only PT &
PTA education accrediting body?
Yes.
Does CAPTE accredit
individuals?
No, CAPTE only accredits physical therapy education programs.
Does CAPTE accredit distance
learning programs? (e.g., online or mail programs)?
Due to the "hands-on" nature of the profession, entry-level programs
must include practice laboratories and clinical experiences that cannot
be offered online or by correspondence. Therefore, CAPTE does not
accredit any programs that are offered exclusively in a distance
learning format. However, there are some programs that offer a portion
of the program through distance. Click here and search by code A5 to find schools
that offer a portion of the program through distance learning.
Does CAPTE
accredit transitional DPT programs (tDPT)?
No, tDPT programs are post-professional programs. CAPTE only
accredits entry-level PT and PTA education programs.
Does CAPTE accredit PT Aide or
PT Technician programs?
No, CAPTE accredits only physical therapist and physical therapist
assistant programs.
How many PT & PTA
programs are accredited?
Click here to view the current number of PT
and PTA programs.
We are interested in starting a PT or PTA
Program. How do we proceed?
Click
here for information about developing an education program for the
preparation of physical therapists (PT) or physical therapist assistants
(PTA).
I want to complain to
CAPTE about a program. How do I do that?
The only mechanism through which the Commission on Accreditation in
Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) can act on your concerns is through
the formal complaint process. Please be aware that your complaint MUST
be related specifically to one or more of the Evaluative Criteria, to
the Statement on Integrity in Program Closure, or to the Statement of
Integrity in Accreditation. In other words you need to link your
complaint to violation of the Criteria or the Statements. The Criteria
can be found in the Accreditation Handbook. Also, in order for CAPTE to
consider your complaint to be bona fide, you MUST have exhausted all of
your avenues for redress at the institution. You need to understand that
CAPTE cannot function as an arbiter between you and the school. Should
CAPTE find that your complaint has merit and that the program is out of
compliance with the Evaluative Criteria or the Statements, CAPTE can
only require the program to come into compliance with the Evaluative
Criteria. If you wish to pursue filing a complaint against a program,
please contact the Department of
Accreditation and we will provide you with the appropriate forms and
information for doing so.
Students/Prospective
Students/Parents
Where can I find a listing
of CAPTE accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant
programs?
Go to www.capteonline.org
and select Accredited Programs - PT Programs, Accredited Programs - Foreign PT Programs, or Accredited Programs - PTA Programs. Select the
school to view further information.
Should I enroll in a
school that is developing (a candidate for accreditation)?
Candidacy status is a pre-accreditation status that allows a
developing program to enroll students into their program. In order to
achieve Candidacy, a program has to demonstrate that they are making
satisfactory progress towards compliance with the PT Evaluative Criteria or PTA Evaluative Criteria. Candidacy status does not
guarantee that a program will achieve full accreditation.
I heard about online PT Aide
programs; are these accredited?
No. CAPTE accredits only physical therapist and physical therapist
assistant programs.
What do the codes mean next to
each school in the directory of accredited programs?
The codes provide additional general information about the individual
program. After selecting a program, click on the codes to reveal
the key.
How long does it take to become a PT or
PTA?
The average graduate physical therapist program takes 2-3 years to
complete in addition to earning a bachelor's degree. The average
physical therapist assistant program takes 2 years to complete.
Is there an age limit to work as a
PT or PTA?
No.
Is there more than
one type of entry-level master's or doctorate degree
programs?
No. However, the time it takes to complete the program will vary
depending on the individual program's requirements. Some programs may
require more/less pre-professional courses (general education) and
more/less professional courses (physical therapy technical courses).
I'm trying to decide which
PT/PTA program to attend. Can you help?
It is extremely important that you attend an accredited program. You
will only be able to sit for the licensure exam if you have graduated
from a CAPTE accredited program; without a license you will be unable to
practice. For a full listing of accredited programs, select Accredited Programs - PT Programs or Accredited Programs - PTA Programs. When choosing a
program you may want to consider factors such as: total cost, length of
program, location of program, types of clinical placements available,
teaching style and type of institution. This information is available in
the PT/PTA Program listings. You may also view the Physical
Therapy Education FAQs for further suggestions on choosing a
program. If you have any specific questions about a program, please
contact that program directly.
I am a PTA. Are there
any programs designed for me which will allow me to become a
PT?
The PTA to PT program is called a Bridge Program. The Bridge program
curriculum is set for people who are already practicing as a PTA and now
want to become a Physical Therapist. This program normally takes 2 years
to complete. Click
here to view a listing of the CAPTE accredited Bridge Programs.
How do I know if a
school offers a Part-Time PT or PTA Program?
When viewing Accredited PT Programs or Accredited PTA Programs on the Web, there is a set
of codes that provide general information on the school including the
format of the program. If you click on the codes, a key will
appear to define each code.
If a
student graduates from a PT or PTA program that is not accredited by
CAPTE, will he/she be eligible to practice?
(a)If a student graduates from a US physical therapist program that
is not accredited by CAPTE, he/she will not be allowed to sit for the
licensure exam. Please refer to the Web site of the Federation of State Boards
of Physical Therapy to verify each state's practice
requirements.
(b) If a student graduates from a foreign physical therapist program,
the student will need to contact the appropriate state licensing board
to get credential evaluation information and proceed according to the
individual state board's foreign trained PT application process. Please
refer to the Web site of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy to
verify each state's practice requirements.
(c)If a student is a graduate of a non-CAPTE accredited physical
therapist assistant program, it will depend if the state requires PTAs
to be licensed. If the state requires licensure, the student will not be
eligible for practice. If the state does not require licensure, it is
possible the student may be eligible. The student will need to contact
the appropriate state board to determine the state board's PTA practice
regulations. You may refer to the Web site of the Federation of State Boards
of Physical Therapy to get state board contact information.
Can I practice as
a PT or PTA if my degree is in a field other than physical therapy or
physical therapy assistant? (e.g., biology, sports medicine, exercise
science, or athletic training)?
In order to practice as a PT, in most states you must graduate with a
PT degree from a CAPTE accredited physical therapy education program or
as a foreign trained PT have your credentials evaluated and approved by
the appropriate state licensing board. In order to practice as a PTA, in
the states that require licensing, you will have to be a graduate of a
CAPTE accredited PTA program. In the event the state doesn't require
PTAs to be licensed, it may be possible to practice as a PTA with a
degree in a field other than PTA. This will be at the discretion of the
individual state board(s).
Is there a Pre-PT
degree?
There is no Pre-PT degree. The pre-physical therapy curriculum should
include a strong background in liberal arts and general education. You
should determine the required prerequisites for the PT program(s) at
which you intend to apply.
Does CAPTE know when
schools accept admissions applications?
No, you will need to contact the school(s) of your interest to
determine admissions requirements and deadlines. Select Accredited PT Programs or Accredited PTA Programs for contact information for
all CAPTE accredited physical therapy education programs.
Does CAPTE rank its physical
therapy education programs?
All CAPTE accredited physical therapy education programs have to meet
the same evaluative criteria; therefore, we do not rank our
programs.
What does Next Visit mean
under each individual program?
Next Visit is the date of a routine CAPTE visit to a
physical therapy education program. These visits are scheduled as
necessary to maintain the program's cycle of accreditation.
The program I am
attending (or am considering attending) is on probation. What does that
mean?
Education programs are placed on Probationary Accreditation for a
variety of reasons. Probationary Accreditation is granted when the
program has been determined to have significant areas of non-compliance
and/or conditional compliance, such that there is reason to question the
institution's ability to offer an acceptable educational experience and
to generate acceptable outcomes. Normally, Probationary Accreditation
does not extend beyond two years.
Where do I
find scholarship & financial aid information?
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) does not have a
scholarship or financial assistance program. However, you
can click
here to view information on scholarships and financial aid
resources.
You may also want to contact the physical therapy programs that you
are interested in attending to see what type of financial assistance or
scholarship programs they may offer.
I would like
to be a PT; should I enroll in a Transitional DPT program?
No. The Transitional DPT degree is a post-professional degree and it
is for a person that is already practicing as a physical therapist. If
you are a prospective PT student, you will enroll in an entry-level
master's or entry-level doctorate degree program.
You may go to the APTA website at: www.capteonline.org and then
select PT Programs. Now look at the right margin of the page and select
Accredited Programs - PT Programs or Accredited Programs - Foreign PT Programs.
How can I file a
complaint against a CAPTE accredited program?
The only mechanism through which the Commission on Accreditation in
Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) can act on your concerns is through
the formal complaint process. Please be aware that your complaint MUST
be related specifically to one or more of the Evaluative Criteria, to
the Statement on Integrity in Program Closure, or to the Statement of
Integrity in Accreditation. In other words you need to link your
complaint to violation of the Criteria or the Statements. The Criteria
can be found in the Accreditation
Handbook. Also, in order for CAPTE to consider your complaint to be
bona fide, you MUST have exhausted all of your avenues for redress at
the institution. You need to understand that CAPTE cannot function as an
arbiter between you and the school. Should CAPTE find that your
complaint has merit and that the program is out of compliance with the
Evaluative Criteria or the Statements, CAPTE can only require the
program to come into compliance with the Evaluative Criteria. If you
wish to pursue filing a complaint against a program, please contact the
Department of Accreditation
and we will provide you with the appropriate forms and information for
doing so.
CAPTE has withdrawn
accreditation from the program I am attending. What does that mean for
me?
Should a program have its accreditation withdrawn at any time while
students are enrolled, only those students in the final year (twelve
months) of the program will be considered graduates of an accredited
program. Those students must successfully complete the program within
the original time frame scheduled for their graduation to be considered
graduates of the program during its period (cycle) of accredited status.
If the institution seeks reconsideration of the decision, the
accreditation status decision shall not become effective until the date
upon which a final decision is rendered on the reconsideration.
The program I am
attending is being reviewed by CAPTE. How can I be
involved?
There are two ways you can be involved in the review process. The
first is by contacting the Director of your program and asking to be
included in the interview process. CAPTE site teams meet with currently
enrolled students to gather information about the program. If you are
unable to meet with the team directly, you may provide written testimony
to the Commission. Click
here for further information on providing testimony.
Do I need to have an
undergraduate degree to be admitted to a PT program?
Each program has its own standards for admission and currently about
two-thirds of the PT programs require a baccalaureate degree for
admission. Those programs that require a bachelor's degree will have
"A4" (requires bachelor's degree). However, there are programs that
admit students to the university as freshmen and then to the PT program
after three years of successful study. To find these programs, look for
code "A2" (freshman admit) next to the program's name in the list of Accredited PT Programs.
Foreign Trained PTs
How does a foreign
trained PT become licensed in the US?
The foreign trained graduate will need to contact the appropriate
state licensing board to obtain credential evaluation information and
proceed according to the individual state board's foreign trained
application process. You may refer to the Web site of the Federation of State Boards
of Physical Therapy to get state board contact information. For
further information, view the APTA Web page for Internationally
Educated Physical Therapists.
How will the state licensing
boards know I graduated from a CAPTE accredited physical therapy
education program?
Twice a year, CAPTE sends each state board a master list of all
accredited physical therapy education programs which includes each
program's accreditation dates. The state board(s) will be able to
determine if the school you attended was accredited when you
graduated.
[Last updated: 07/08/08 | Contact: accreditation@apta.org]
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