A second or third failing NPTE result is a different situation from the first. The rules on how often you can test start to matter, some states run out of attempts, and FSBPT itself says more of the same preparation rarely works. This guide covers what changes and what to do about it.
What happens if you fail the NPTE twice or three times?
You can keep testing within FSBPT's limits: six attempts per exam level in your lifetime, no more than three consecutive attempts in 12 months (after three in a row you skip the next date), and no further attempts after two scores below 400. Some states are stricter. Oklahoma's limit is three attempts, Louisiana's four, and Florida's and Mississippi's five.
The limits are in FSBPT's Candidate Handbook; state limits are from FSBPT's Jurisdiction Licensure Reference Guide. Our NPTE retake rules page has the full state table.
Where you stand after each attempt
| Situation | What the rules mean for you |
|---|---|
| Two failed attempts, both scores 400 or above | You can register for another attempt, within the three-in-a-row limit. |
| Two failed attempts, both scores below 400 | FSBPT's rules don't allow you to test again. Any appeal on eligibility has to go through a licensing authority. |
| Three consecutive attempts in 12 months | You must skip the next test date. |
| Three failed attempts, testing in Oklahoma | You can't reapply for the exam in Oklahoma, although Oklahoma's rule says you may retake it in another state. |
| Five attempts in any states, applying in Florida or Mississippi | Both states count attempts made anywhere, and cap them at five. |
| Six attempts at one exam level | FSBPT's lifetime limit is reached for that level. |
Also check whether your state requires remediation after a failure. According to FSBPT's guide, 21 jurisdictions do.
What FSBPT's data says about repeat takers
FSBPT's retake guidance is blunt: "Based on evidence we have from test scores since 2008, candidates who have failed the NPTE twice or more are unlikely to pass on any subsequent attempt. Our evidence suggests that those who do pass have participated in substantial remediation and physical therapy education."
FSBPT doesn't publish a national pass rate for second or third attempts, so be wary of any specific "retake pass rate" you see quoted. What FSBPT does give you is personal: the Performance Feedback Report includes a retake section showing how candidates who scored similarly to you did on their next attempt, and what proportion passed.
Why the same preparation keeps producing the same score
The Performance Feedback Report's retake range is FSBPT's estimate of where you'd likely score if you retested having prepared "in exactly the same way." It exists to make a point: without a real change in knowledge or approach, the next score tends to land close to the last one. Adding hours to the same routine is the most common trap. Change the method, the materials and the diagnosis.
How to rebuild after two or more failures
- Get a Performance Feedback Report for your most recent attempt ($100 plus a processing fee). Compare it with earlier reports. Areas that stay red or yellow across attempts are your real problem. See how to read your score report.
- Separate content gaps from test-taking problems. Consistently low areas point to content. A single very low section with no content pattern points, according to FSBPT, to chance or lost concentration. FSBPT's free FifthTheory Test Mastery tool is designed to assess test-taking skills.
- Get structured remediation. FSBPT lists options including working with a licensed PT or PT educator, or "a credible NPTE preparation course." If you were educated outside the US, it points to programs that remediate against a CAPTE-equivalent education, and to English-language skills.
- Rebuild content before practice volume. Use a 12-week study plan weighted to your red areas on the FSBPT content outline, and don't rush back to the next window if the report shows broad gaps.
- Measure before you book. FSBPT's PEAT gives an estimated NPTE score from a retired form. Buying PEAT again gives you a different set of forms. Book the exam when your practice evidence has actually moved.
Space your attempts deliberately
Testing in every window back to back uses up your three-in-a-row allowance quickly and leaves little time to change anything. FSBPT lets you register again about 15 days after an attempt, but registering for the next window only makes sense if your plan to close the gap fits the weeks available. Every window is on our NPTE exam dates page.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can you fail the NPTE?
FSBPT allows six attempts per exam level, but two scores below 400 end eligibility sooner, and some states allow fewer attempts in total (Oklahoma 3, Louisiana 4, Florida and Mississippi 5).
What is the NPTE retake pass rate?
FSBPT doesn't publish a national retake pass rate. It states that candidates who have failed twice or more are unlikely to pass on a later attempt without substantial remediation. Your Performance Feedback Report shows how candidates with similar scores did on their next attempt.
Can I take the NPTE in a different state after failing?
You can apply for licensure in another jurisdiction and test at any Prometric center that offers the NPTE, but FSBPT's lifetime limits still apply, and Florida and Mississippi count attempts made in any state.
Should I take the next NPTE date after failing twice?
Only if your plan to close the gaps in your Performance Feedback Report fits the weeks before that date. FSBPT's evidence suggests repeat takers who pass have done substantial remediation, which usually takes longer than one window.
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Every figure on this page comes from the primary sources below, checked on September 30, 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 — FSBPT
- Important Retake Information for the NPTE — FSBPT