How to Become a Physical Therapist in Maine
Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data indicated that 1,230 Physical Therapists practiced in Maine in 2013. They had an average salary of $75,450. Over 30% of Maine’s Physical Therapists were employed in the southwestern nonmetropolitan area of the state. Maine also had 240 Physical Therapy Assistants employed in 2013 with an average salary of $51,110. The Maine Board of Examiners in Physical Therapy (BEPT) regulates the state’s PT professionals. Here are the steps you need to complete to become a Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy Assistant in Maine:
Physical Therapy Assistant:
- Earn a Physical Therapy Assistant Associate’s degree from an accredited program.
- Apply to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
- Consider applying for an exemption to practice temporarily.
- Apply for your Maine Physical Therapy Assistant license.
- Renew your Maine Physical Therapy license each year.
Physical Therapist:
- Earn a Physical Therapy Doctoral degree from an accredited program.
- Apply to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
- Consider applying for an exemption to practice temporarily.
- Apply for your Maine Physical Therapist license.
- Renew your Maine Physical Therapy license each year.
Step 1: Complete Your Physical Therapy Degree
Physical Therapy Assistant
According to Maine’s regulations, you must have a Physical Therapy Assistant degree that is approved by the BEPT and accredited by an agency recognized by one of the following organizations:
- Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation
- United States Commissioner of Education
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE) has approved two institutions in Maine that offer Physical Therapy Assistant degrees. You can obtain either an Associate in Science or an Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapy Assistant from these schools:
- Kennebec Valley Community College
- University of Maine at Presque Isle
Physical Therapist
You must get a degree as a Physical Therapist from a school approved by the BEPT and accredited by an agency recognized by one of the following organizations:
- Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation
- United States Commissioner of Education
You can get a Physical Therapy Doctoral degree from one of these schools that has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy (CAPTE):
- Husson University
- University of New England
Step 2: Apply to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
Once you have obtained your PT degree, you will have to apply to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) exam. There is a $25 fee for this process. The state of Maine has separate applications for Physical Therapist and Physical Therapy Assistant candidates. You will need to provide one of these items with your application:
- Official transcripts
- A Letter of Intent to Graduate stating that you have met your degree’s requirements
The BPTE will determine your eligibility to take the exam and notify you when they have deemed you to be qualified.
The exam is scored on a scale of 200 and 800, and you must score 600 to pass. The passing rates of graduates of Physical Therapy programs in Maine are very high. From 2010 through 2012, all of the Physical Therapist Assistant graduates in Maine passed their exams. The rates for Physical Therapy graduates ranged from 98.94% to 100% during this period.
Step 3: Consider Applying for an Exemption to Practice Temporarily
Once you have been approved to take the NPTE, you can apply for an exemption to work while being supervised by a Physical Therapist. He or she will have to supply a Supervisors Affidavit verifying that they will be overseeing your work. You can practice in this manner until you get your NPTE scores.
Step 4: Apply for Your Maine Physical Therapy License
After you have passed your exam, you can apply for Maine licensure to practice in your profession. You access the application form at the same site you used to apply to take your exam. You will need the access code and pending license number that you received when you applied to take the exam.
You will have to pay two sets of fees: $30 for your license and $21 for your criminal background check. You cannot get a Physical Therapy license in Maine if you have a felony conviction on your record.
In addition to your application, you will need to include a Reference Form. If you did not submit transcripts with your application to take the exam, you will need to provide them now. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) will send your exam scores to the Board, and you cannot proceed with your application until they have been received. Once you have received your certification, it will be good for one year.
Step 5: Renew Your Maine Physical Therapy License Each Year
Maine does not have continuing education requirements for its Physical Therapy professionals, but you will still need to renew your license by March 31 every year. You will need your license number and access code to submit your renewal application.
The license renewal fee is $30. If you submit your application after the renewal date, you will have to pay a $50 late fee. The board has strict requirements for professionals who try to renew over 90 days late. You will then be subject to all the requirements for new applicants, although the board may waive the need for an exam if you apply for renewal within two years of your license expiration date.
If you are new to the profession or want to network with other Maine Physical Therapy professionals, you can join the Maine Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.
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