FAQ

General

1. What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy means the specialty in the field of health concerned with prevention of disability and physical rehabilitation of persons having congenital or acquired disabilities.

2. What is the Mission of the Nevada Physical Therapy Board?

The mission of the Nevada Physical Therapy Board is to protect the safety and well-being of the public consumer of physical therapy.

3. Who does the NV Physical Therapy Board license?

The Nevada Physical Therapy Board licenses physical therapist (PT’s) and physical therapist assistants (PTA’s).

4. What is a Physical Therapist? A Physical Therapist Assistant? A Physical Therapy Technician?

A physical therapist is a licensed health care professional who evaluates a patient's physical status, establishes a plan of care and goals, then administers treatments to promote optimal health. Physical therapists seek to relieve pain, improve the body's movement and function, maintain cardiopulmonary function, and limit disabilities resulting from injury or disease.

A physical therapist assistant is licensed and assists in the practice of physical therapy under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

A physical therapy technician is an unlicensed person who performs certain treatments related to physical therapy at the direction of a physical therapist.

5. Where is the NV Physical Therapy Board located?

Nevada Physical Therapy Board
3291 N. Buffalo Dr., Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89129

6. What are the hours of operation for the Nevada Physical Therapy Board?

The hours of operation for the Nevada Physical Therapy Board are Monday – Friday; 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.

7. What do these commonly used initials mean? (FSBPT; NPTE; AZSBPT; AZLAW)

FSBPT: Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

NPTE: National Physical Therapy Examination

AZSBPT: Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy

AZLAW: Arizona Jurisprudence Examination

CONTINUING COMPETENCY

1. What is Continuing Competency?

Continuing competence of health care professionals is of the utmost importance to a diverse range of stakeholders including the public, health care providers, regulatory bodies, employers, insurers, and professional associations.  The Nevada Physical Therapy Board requires licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to complete a program of continuing education as a requirement for the renewal of licenses.

2. What is the Advisory Committee on Continuing Competency (ACCC)?

The ACCC is responsible for the evaluation and approval of courses of study, training and materials for continuing competency (education) based on criteria approved by the Board.  

3. Can anyone submit a course for review?

Anyone can submit a course for review by the ACCC.

4. Where do I get the form for course review?

The course review form is found at: http://ptboard.nv.gov/Forms/Home/

5. Can I take a course that hasn’t yet been approved and submit it for review later?

Courses that haven’t been approved by the ACCC may be taken. However, there is no guarantee the course will be approved by the Committee.  In this scenario the PT/PTA would assume the risk of not receiving credit if the course is denied by the ACCC.

6. What happens if my submission is incomplete?

Incomplete submissions will be denied and you will have to resubmit the course with payment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Who is an Exam Candidate?

An Exam Candidate is a person who is has not taken the national exam and who has completed or is in the midst of completing their PT/PTA education.

2. Who is an Endorsement Candidate?

An Endorsement Candidate is a person who is licensed in another state already and it looking to get a Nevada license.

3. Where can I find the application?

Applications can be found at: http://ptboard.nv.gov/Licensure/Licensing/

4. How long does the licensing process take?

The licensing process takes 5-7 business days once a full application is received and completed with all requirements.

5. When can I take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)?

The NPTE may be taken once the Nevada Physical Therapy Board authorizes you. Applicants must have the completed application and all required documents.

FOREIGN TRAINED APPLICANTS

1. Can a foreign trained PT get licensed in Nevada?

Foreign trained PTs may get licensed in Nevada.  However, they must follow and complete the foreign trained application

2. Can a foreign trained PTA get a license in Nevada?

No.

3. I have practiced physical therapy in the U.S. for many years, do I still apply as foreign trained?

Foreign trained PTs practicing in the U.S. seeking a license in the State of Nevada must still apply as foreign trained.

4. Do I need to send in my certificate or diplomas?

Foreign trained applicants need to get credentialed through FCCPT.

COMPLAINTS

1. How do I file a complaint?

If you cannot resolve a problem and you believe that the issue of concern is a violation of the Nevada Physical Therapy Board Practice Act, you may file a complaint with the Board.  To file a complaint, complete the complaint form located at http://ptboard.nv.gov/Forms/Home/.  Mail, deliver by hand, or fax your completed form back to our office.  

The complaint must allege one or more of the grounds listed in NRS 640.160 and must contain a statement of facts showing that a provision of this chapter of the Board’s regulations have been violated.

2. What is the process following a complaint?

The Board reviews each complaint. If a complaint shows a substantial violation, the Executive Director will designate an investigator to conduct an investigation of the complaint.   

3. Can I file an anonymous complaint?

Complaints must be in writing and may be filed anonymously.  If a complaint is filed anonymously, the Board may accept the complaint but may refuse to consider the complaint if anonymity of the complainant makes processing the complaint impossible or unfair to the person who is the subject of the complaint.