Physical Therapy students accomplish perfect pass rate on national certifying exam
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2024 at the West Virginia University School of Medicine achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
The rigorous exam consists of 225 questions and is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). According to the FSBPT, the exam was “developed to measure knowledge and abilities required of entry-level physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.”
"Our graduates have always demonstrated perseverance and dedication through the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which concludes with graduation and passing the National Physical Therapy Exam,” said Ivan Mulligan, PT, chairperson of the Division of Physical Therapy. “The Class of 2024 achieving a 100% first-time pass rate on this exam reflects the commitment and collective effort of the graduates and their faculty to prepare them to be exceptional physical therapists. We are incredibly proud and excited to see these graduates excel in the profession as they begin their careers."
The national first-time pass rate for the NPTE in 2024 is 88.9%. A passing score is required to practice as a licensed physical therapist.
“I believe all my classmates would agree that our program did an excellent job preparing us for the NPTE, and, more importantly, for our future careers as physical therapists,” said Matthew Watson, Physical Therapy Class of 2024. “The program not only covered the essential information for the boards but focused on the practical knowledge relevant to our clinical experiences and future jobs. The faculty made a tremendous effort to foster a positive learning environment by continuously communicating with us and adjusting class schedules and exam dates to accommodate busy weeks and personal matters. It was clear that they cared about us as individuals and not just as students.”
After graduation, Watson accepted a position at an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic in Boston. In the future, he hopes to transition to a sports physical therapy role.
“WVU’s professors have a wide range of specializations with anything from sports to oncology, giving students valuable mentors in the sub-specialties they might want to pursue,” he added.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is an accredited entry-level program that requires three years of study after the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Students benefit from small teacher-to-student ratios with big opportunities to participate in hands-on care to become experts in human movement.
As part of an academic medical center, physical therapy students have access to an abundance of interprofessional learning opportunities as well as education resources that include the David and Jo Ann Shaw Center for Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety(WV STEPS), WVU’s premiere patient simulation lab; gross anatomy laboratories featuring cadaver dissection for enhanced learning; and extensive hands-on laboratory experiences, supervised by expert PT faculty, allow students to master patient care skills.
To learn more about Physical Therapy at WVU, visit medicine.wvu.edu/pt/.