The NPTE comes in two versions: one for physical therapists (NPTE-PT) and one for physical therapist assistants (NPTE-PTA). Both are run by FSBPT and scored the same way, but they differ in length, content and emphasis. Here's every difference that matters, side by side.
What's the difference between the NPTE and the NPTE-PTA?
The NPTE-PT is for physical therapists: 225 questions (180 scored) in five hours. The NPTE-PTA is for physical therapist assistants: 180 questions (140 scored) in four hours. Both need a scaled score of 600 to pass. The PT exam focuses on examination, differential diagnosis and planning care; the PTA exam focuses on data collection and carrying out a PT's plan of care.
NPTE-PT vs NPTE-PTA side by side
| NPTE-PT | NPTE-PTA | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Physical therapists | Physical therapist assistants |
| Total questions | 225 | 180 |
| Scored / pretest | 180 / 45 | 140 / 40 |
| Sections of 45 | 5 | 4 |
| Testing time | 5 hours | 4 hours |
| Full appointment | 5 h 30 min | 4 h 30 min |
| Scenario questions (max) | 40 | 35 |
| Passing score | 600 (200–800 scale) | 600 (200–800 scale) |
| FSBPT fee | $485 | $485 |
| Prometric fee | $112 | $92 |
| First-time pass rate (2025) | 82% all; 85% US-educated | 79% |
| Attempt limit | 6 lifetime | 6 lifetime (counted separately) |
Sources: FSBPT NPTE Candidate Handbook, registration fees, and exam year pass-rate reports.
How the content differs
Both outlines, in effect since January 2024, cover the same body systems and non-system areas, but the question categories and weights differ (PT outline, PTA outline).
| Area | PT items | PT % | PTA items | PTA % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Systems | 22–27 | 12.2–15.0% | 20–27 | 14.3–19.3% |
| Musculoskeletal System | 44–54 | 24.4–30.0% | 31–40 | 22.1–28.6% |
| Neuromuscular & Nervous Systems | 39–48 | 21.7–26.7% | 27–35 | 19.3–25.0% |
| Integumentary System | 8–11 | 4.4–6.1% | 3–8 | 2.1–5.7% |
| Metabolic & Endocrine Systems | 4–6 | 2.2–3.3% | 4–6 | 2.9–4.3% |
| Gastrointestinal System | 3–6 | 1.7–3.3% | 0–4 | 0.0–2.9% |
| Genitourinary System | 2–5 | 1.1–2.8% | 0–4 | 0.0–2.9% |
| Lymphatic System | 4–7 | 2.2–3.9% | 2–6 | 1.4–4.3% |
| System Interactions | 8–10 | 4.4–5.6% | 5–7 | 3.6–5.0% |
| Equipment, Devices, & Technologies | 5–6 | 2.8–3.3% | 8–10 | 5.7–7.1% |
| Therapeutic Modalities | 4–6 | 2.2–3.3% | 5–7 | 3.6–5.0% |
| Safety & Protection | 5–7 | 2.8–3.9% | 6–8 | 4.3–5.7% |
| Professional Responsibilities | 4–5 | 2.2–2.8% | 2–4 | 1.4–2.9% |
| Research & Evidence-Based Practice | 3–5 | 1.7–2.8% | 1–3 | 0.7–2.1% |
The differences that matter most for studying:
- Different question categories. PT questions sit under Examination, Foundations for Evaluation, Differential Diagnosis & Prognosis, and Interventions. PTA questions sit under Data Collection, Diseases/Conditions that Impact Effective Treatment, and Interventions. PTA system-interaction items are framed around carrying out "the established plan of care."
- Equipment and devices weigh more for PTAs: 8–10 of 140 items (5.7–7.1%) vs 5–6 of 180 (2.8–3.3%) for PTs.
- Cardiopulmonary is proportionally larger on the PTA exam: 14.3–19.3% vs 12.2–15.0%.
- Research is lighter for PTAs. The PT outline lists statistics (t-tests, chi-square, ANOVA, likelihood ratios, effect size, confidence intervals); the PTA outline doesn't list a statistics item.
- GI and GU can be absent on a PTA form. Each is 0–4 items on the PTA exam, but at least 3 and 2 items on the PT exam.
Test dates
Both exams run four times a year, in January, April, July and October, on separate dates. The PTA exam usually comes a few weeks before the PT exam in the same month. In October 2026, the PTA exam is October 6–7 and the PT exam is October 27–28. See NPTE-PT dates and NPTE-PTA dates.
Can a PT graduate take the PTA exam?
Only in some states. According to FSBPT's licensure reference guide, 11 jurisdictions allow someone with a physical therapist education to sit the PTA exam: California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, New Mexico, New York, Texas. The rest don't. FSBPT counts PT and PTA attempts separately, so taking one doesn't use up attempts at the other, except in Kentucky, which limits you to six attempts across both.
Source: FSBPT Jurisdiction Licensure Reference Guide, PT Education Sitting for PTA Exam. Confirm with your state board, because rules change.
Which exam is harder?
They measure different things, so "harder" depends on your role. The PTA exam is shorter, but its first-time pass rate has been lower than the PT exam's rate for US-educated candidates: 79% vs 85% in 2025. For five years of numbers, see NPTE-PT pass rates and NPTE-PTA pass rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the NPTE-PTA the same as the NPTE?
Both are the National Physical Therapy Examination, run by FSBPT, but they're separate exams: the NPTE-PT for physical therapists and the NPTE-PTA for physical therapist assistants.
Is the passing score the same for PT and PTA?
Yes. Both use a 200–800 scaled score with a passing standard of 600.
How many questions are on the PT and PTA exams?
The NPTE-PT has 225 questions (180 scored) and the NPTE-PTA has 180 (140 scored).
Do PT and PTA attempts count together?
Not under FSBPT's rules; you can take each exam up to six times. Kentucky is the exception, limiting candidates to six attempts total across both exams.
Studying for the NPTE-PT?
TherapyExams has 5,700+ NPTE-PT questions, 400+ flashcards and two full-length practice exams, organized by FSBPT content area. Free for 7 days. NPTE-PTA prep is launching soon.
Start Your Free 7-Day Trial →Sources
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)
- Exam Registration & Payment — FSBPT
- NPTE Exam Year Reports (pass rates by exam year) — FSBPT
- NPTE-PT Test Content Outline, effective January 2024 — FSBPT
- NPTE-PTA Test Content Outline, effective January 2024 — FSBPT
- Jurisdiction Licensure Reference Guide: PT Education Sitting for PTA Exam — FSBPT