Section 1150-01-.08 - EXAMINATIONSIn addition to having filed an application, an individual seeking licensure shall be required to pass an examination.
(1) The Board adopts as its examination for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants the National Physical Therapy Examinations endorsed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy or successor examinations.(2) Examination Application (a) All applicants for examination shall apply for admission directly with the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) by contacting: Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Telephone (703) 299-3100 509 Wythe Street Fax (703) 299-3110
Alexandria, VA 22314 Internet www.fsbpt.org
Application forms and instructions will be provided by the Board's administrative office.
(b) All educational requirements must be completed prior to filing an application for licensure or examination.(3) Eligibility Approval(a) Only a person who has filed the required application, paid the fees, and been notified of acceptance by the Board shall be permitted to take the examination.(b) The FSBPT will compile an applicant list and forward to the Board. The Board will review the applicant list provided by the FSBPT, determine the eligible applicants, and notify the FSBPT of such determination.(c) An examination shall be administered only to bona fide candidates for initial licensure or candidates who are not licensed in another jurisdiction and do not have a qualifying exam score in another jurisdiction.(d) An applicant for licensure and/or examination who has not met the requirements as set forth in T.C.A. § 63-13-306 and § 63-13-307 shall be refused permission to take the examination.(4) Eligibility Notification (a) The FSBPT will compile eligibility lists and forward to the Computer Based Testing Provider. The FSBPT will send a letter to each candidate containing a toll-free number to call to schedule the examination.(b) The candidate will contact the Computer Based Testing Provider to schedule the examination at the location of their choice.1. Candidates must take the examination within sixty (60) days of the date on the eligibility letter provided by the FSBPT. If the candidate does not take the examination within this time period, they will be removed from the eligibility listings of the Computer Based Testing Provider and will be required to begin the examination application process again.2. Candidates may reschedule the examination up to two (2) working days prior to the scheduled test date by calling the toll-free number provided to them in their eligibility letter without penalty. Candidates who fail to give such notice to the Computer Based Testing Provider, and who fail to sit for the Examination as scheduled, will forfeit the examination fees paid and will be required to begin the examination application process.(5) Administration(a) Candidates must arrive at the test site at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to their scheduled appointment with the Computer Based Testing Provider.(b) Candidates must have government-issued photo identification (passport, driver's license, etc.) as well as another piece of identification which contains a signature.(c) All candidates will be thumb-printed and photographed at the testing center.(d) All sessions will be videotaped.(6) Passing level. Candidates qualifying for licensure by examination must pass the examination with a criterion reference passing point. This passing point shall be set to equal a scaled score of six hundred (600) based on a scale ranging from two hundred to eight hundred (200-800).(7) Results (a) No information regarding pass/fail status will be available to candidates at the test site.(b) Upon receipt of the examination group score reports in the Board's administrative office, the results will be mailed to each candidate with ten (10) working days. Scores will not be provided except in writing and by mail.(c) Hand scoring services are available from the FSBPT at the request of the candidate. The FSBPT may charge a fee for this service.(8) Retaking (a) A candidate who fails the examination is eligible to repeat the licensure examination process described in this rule. An applicant who fails to qualify for licensure after a total of two (2) examination attempts, in any state, shall wait at least three (3) months after the last unsuccessful attempt before reapplying for examination.(b) If the individual neglects, fails to pass, or refuses to take the examination within twelve (12) months after being deemed eligible to sit for the examination, the application shall be denied and the file shall be closed. However, such individual may thereafter, make a new application pursuant to Rule 1150-01-.04, 1150-01-.05, 1150-01-.07, and 1150-01-.08.(9) Effective July 1, 2015, the Board will no longer approve individualized structured remediation plans. However, those remediation plans already in effect prior to July 1, 2015 must be completed by the applicant. An applicant who fails the examination more than two (2) times after July 1, 2015 must submit proof of ten (10) hours of additional clinical training and ten (10) hours of additional coursework to the Board administrator before the Board will approve a reapplication for subsequent testing beyond two attempts.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1150-01-.08
Original rule filed August 16, 1990; effective September 30, 1990. Repeal filed March 26, 1991; effective May 10, 1991. Repeal and new rule filed February 21, 1996; effective May 6, 1996. Amendment filed September 24, 1998; effective December 8, 1998. Amendment filed January 31, 2000; effective April 15, 2000. Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 2000; effective May 30, 2000. Amendment filed July 31, 2000; effective October 14, 2000. Amendment filed April 10, 2002; effective June 24, 2002. Amendment filed January 19, 2005; effective April 4, 2005. Amendment filed September 24, 2009; effective December 23, 2009. Amendment filed August 19, 2010; effective November 17, 2010. Amendment filed April 6, 2015; effective 7/5/2015.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-13-108, 63-13-301, 63-13-304, 63-13-306, and 63-13-307.