Many students want to sit the NPTE as soon as possible after finishing school, and some want to test before graduation day. FSBPT's rules allow it, but your state has the final say. Here's how early testing works, and which jurisdictions allow it.
Can you take the NPTE before you graduate?
Yes, in most states. FSBPT lets graduates of CAPTE-accredited programs take the NPTE up to 90 days before their graduation date, once the school has validated that they're on track to graduate. But the state where you're applying must also allow it. According to FSBPT's licensure guide, 41 jurisdictions do and 12 don't.
The 90-day rule is in FSBPT's NPTE Candidate Handbook: "FSBPT allows candidates to sit for the NPTE up to ninety days prior to their graduation date; however, jurisdictions may have more restrictive policies." The state rules come from FSBPT's Jurisdiction Licensure Reference Guide.
Which states don't allow the NPTE before graduation?
These 12 jurisdictions don't allow candidates to be made eligible for, or take, the NPTE before graduating: District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Vermont, Virgin Islands.
In these, you'll need your degree conferred, and usually your school's official documentation sent to the board, before you can be approved. New York, for example, requires your Registrar to send a Certification of Professional Education confirming you've completed all degree requirements.
States that allow it, with conditions
- Arkansas: early testing is only allowed for Arkansas residents or Arkansas graduates.
- Nevada: you can sit before graduation if you're in the final semester of your program, with an official transcript sent directly to the board.
- Oregon: you may test up to 90 days before graduation, but a license can't be issued until the board receives your certificate or official transcript.
Other states may ask for specific forms (Oklahoma uses a Pre-Graduation Examination Form) or a letter from your program. Always check your board's current application instructions.
Early NPTE testing by state
| Jurisdiction | Take the NPTE before graduation? |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes |
| Alaska | Yes |
| Arizona | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes |
| California | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes |
| District of Columbia | No |
| Florida | No |
| Georgia | Yes |
| Hawaii | Yes |
| Idaho | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes |
| Indiana | No |
| Iowa | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes |
| Kentucky | No |
| Louisiana | Yes |
| Maine | Yes |
| Maryland | Yes |
| Massachusetts | No |
| Michigan | Yes |
| Minnesota | Yes |
| Mississippi | No |
| Missouri | Yes |
| Montana | Yes |
| Nebraska | Yes |
| Nevada | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes |
| New Mexico | Yes |
| New York | No |
| North Carolina | Yes |
| North Dakota | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | No |
| Puerto Rico | No |
| Rhode Island | Yes |
| South Carolina | Yes |
| South Dakota | Yes |
| Tennessee | No |
| Texas | Yes |
| Utah | Yes |
| Vermont | No |
| Virgin Islands | No |
| Virginia | Yes |
| Washington | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Yes |
| Wyoming | Yes |
Source: FSBPT Jurisdiction Licensure Reference Guide, "Taking the NPTE before Graduation," retrieved September 27, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with your licensing board.
How to register before you graduate
- Check your state's rule in the table above and on your board's website.
- Apply to your state board for licensure. Licensing is a two-step process: state application first, then NPTE registration.
- Complete your FSBPT profile. If you're at a CAPTE-accredited program, your school creates the profile for you.
- Wait for your school to validate your graduation date. You can't register for the NPTE until it has.
- Register and pay before the deadline for a window that falls within 90 days of your graduation date. Deadlines for every window are on our NPTE exam dates page (PTA: NPTE-PTA exam dates).
Should you test before graduation?
It can mean starting work sooner, and sitting the exam while clinical coursework is fresh. The trade-off is less dedicated study time: many candidates plan 8–12 weeks of focused preparation, which is harder to fit alongside final coursework and clinicals. If your window lands before you've finished a structured review, a later date may serve you better. Our NPTE study plan can help you work out how many weeks you really have.
Frequently asked questions
How early can you take the NPTE before graduation?
Up to 90 days before your graduation date under FSBPT's rules, once your school has validated that you're on track to graduate. Your state may be stricter.
Does the 90-day rule apply to the PTA exam too?
Yes. The Candidate Handbook's registration rules cover both the PT and PTA exams, and the same state approval applies.
Can I get licensed before I graduate if I pass the NPTE early?
No. Passing early lets you finish the exam step, but your state still needs proof that your degree was conferred before it issues a license. Oregon states this explicitly.
Which states don't allow early NPTE testing?
District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Vermont, Virgin Islands, according to FSBPT's Jurisdiction Licensure Reference Guide.
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Every figure on this page comes from the primary sources below, checked on September 27, 2026. If an official source changes, it overrides this page.
- NPTE Candidate Handbook, Version 2025.02 — Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT)
- Jurisdiction Licensure Reference Guide: Taking the NPTE before Graduation — FSBPT