NPTE-PTA Exam information
What it is, what's tested, and how it's scored.
NPTE-PTA exam details
The NPTE-PTA (National Physical Therapy Exam - Physical Therapist Assistant) is one of two physical therapy licensing exams administered by the FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy). The exam ensures that each candidate possesses the necessary knowledge to practice as a physical therapist assistant and can provide adequate care to their patients. The NPTE-PTA exam costs $485 to register. Participants have 4 hours to answer 180 multiple-choice questions, and the passing score is 600+.
The NPTE-PTA exam is hosted by FSBPT and costs $485 to register. Participants have 4 hours to answer 180 multiple-choice questions. The passing score is 600+.
The NPTE-PTA exam consists of four sections, each with 45 multiple-choice questions. The content of the PTA exam covers bodily systems, human anatomy and mobility, and non-system domains such as equipment use and professional responsibilities.
NPTE's PTA exam summary
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems
14-19%
20 to 27 questions
This section focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the heart, lungs, and blood system. It explores topics such as disease prevention, diagnoses, movement analysis, complications, and adverse effects within these systems. It is crucial to evaluate different breathing and relaxation tactics and fitness endurance plans.
Musculoskeletal System
22-29%
31 to 40 questions
This section focuses on the anatomy and physiology of muscles, joints, bones, and tendons. It explores topics such as joint biomechanics, movement analysis, connective tissue diseases, and diagnoses. Strength exercises, joint mobility strategies, and flexibility methods are examined.
Neuromuscular and Nervous Systems
19-25%
27 to 35 questions
This section focuses on the anatomy and physiology of nerves, motor neurons, and muscle fibers. It covers topics such as motor control and learning, the impact of regenerative medicine, and diagnoses. Awareness of balance and coordination methods is necessary.
Other Systems
10-25%
14 to 35 questions
This section includes the Integumentary, Metabolic and Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, and Lymphatic systems, as well as System Interactions:
Integumentary System: Covers topics such as skin, hair, nails, and glands, as well as scar mobility, pressure, friction, and surgical interventions. Recognizing techniques for pressure relief, pain management, and healing capabilities is paramount.
Metabolic and Endocrine Systems: Focuses on metabolism, hormones, and the thyroid, covering topics such as diagnoses, health promotion using daily activities and understanding nutrient absorption, and adrenal and pituitary conditions.
Gastrointestinal: Covers the GI tract, including the esophagus, intestines, stomach, and rectum. Explores topics such as diagnoses, muscular tension, bowel movements, and reflux prevention.
Genitourinary System: Covers topics such as urinary organs, bladder, kidneys, and genitals. Explores diagnoses, bladder conditions, pelvic floor retraining, and the reproductive system.
Lymphatic System: Focuses on lymphatic vessels, nodes, organs, and tissues. Explores diagnoses, diseases, compensatory movements, and adverse effects within this system.
System Interactions: Focuses on diseases and conditions involving multiple systems, dimensions of pain, indications and precautions, applications, and adjustments.
Non-system Domains
16-23%
22 to 32 questions
This section covers a broad range of topics on physical therapy practice, which can be divided into two main content domains: Therapeutic Modalities and Professional Responsibilities.
Therapeutic Modalities: Focuses on the use of equipment, devices, and modalities such as thermal, electrical, and nerve stimulation, mechanical motion devices, infection control, signs of abuse, injury prevention, and biofeedback.
Professional Responsibilities: Focuses on safety and protection standards, patient/client rights, professional ethics, state and federal laws, socioeconomic factors, risk management, utilization of health records, and billing standards.
Achievable NPTE-PTA content outline
1
Cardiovascular System
Covers cardiac anatomy and physiology, blood flow through the heart, and its electrical conduction. Reviews cardiac pathologies such as hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. Includes EKG interpretation, lab values and the ankle brachial index, exercise testing and cardiac medications, and the phases of cardiac rehabilitation with exercise prescription for cardiac patients.
2
Pulmonary System
Covers pulmonary anatomy, the muscles and mechanics of ventilation, lung volumes and capacities, and obstructive versus restrictive patterns on pulmonary function tests. Reviews auscultation, abnormal breathing patterns, pulmonary differential diagnosis, common lines and tubes, and arterial blood gas interpretation. Interventions include breathing exercises, airway clearance and secretion removal techniques, and pulmonary medications.
3
Neuromuscular System
Covers the anatomy of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, including dermatomes, myotomes, reflexes, plexuses, and upper limb tension tests. Reviews stroke deficits and recovery, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative disorders and epilepsy, peripheral nerve conditions, and other neurological conditions. Interventions include motor learning, PNF, NDT, outcome measures, and neuromuscular medications, along with examination and treatment of vestibular disorders.
4
Pediatrics
Covers developmental milestones, primitive reflexes, newborn considerations, and pediatric outcome measures. Reviews conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, spina bifida, developmental dysplasia of the hip, and clubfoot. Also includes Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Osgood-Schlatter disease, scoliosis, torticollis, brachial plexus birth injuries, and autism spectrum disorder.
5
Musculoskeletal System
Covers muscle actions and innervation, manual muscle testing, anatomical terminology, exercise training principles, joint mechanics, and the phases of healing. Reviews the anatomy, special tests, and clinical presentation and interventions of the upper extremity, lower extremity, and spine, pelvis, and TMJ, along with arthritic, inflammatory, muscle, bone, and pain conditions. Also includes gait, prosthetics, orthotics, medications, imaging, fractures, and surgical protocols.
6
Other Systems
Covers the integumentary system, including skin structure, wound healing, dressings, debridement, wound classification, and burns. Reviews lymphedema management, the gastrointestinal and reproductive systems with pregnancy and postpartum considerations, urinary incontinence and renal disorders, and endocrine and metabolic conditions. Also includes cancer red flags, psychological conditions, infectious disease, immune disorders, and hematological disorders.
7
Non-Systems
Covers therapeutic modalities such as heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, biofeedback, intermittent compression, continuous passive motion, and traction. Reviews safety topics, including infection control, assistive devices, wheelchair fitting and prescription, lines and monitoring devices, and emergency response. Also includes PTA professional responsibilities, research and evidence-based practice, HIPAA, the healthcare system, and the ADA.
PTA exam: quick answers
- What is on the PTA exam?
- The PTA exam has 180 multiple-choice questions, and candidates have 4 hours to complete it. The content outline on this page lists every tested topic with the number of questions and the percentage of the exam it accounts for.
- How long is the PTA exam?
- Candidates have 4 hours for the PTA exam, covering 180 multiple-choice questions.
- What score do you need to pass the PTA exam?
- The passing score for the PTA exam is 600+.
- How much does the PTA exam cost?
- Registering for the PTA exam costs $485, paid to FSBPT. Prep materials are a separate cost.
- Who administers the PTA exam?
- The PTA exam is administered by FSBPT, which sets the official content outline and scoring.
More questions about the exam and how to prepare for it? PTA FAQ
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