Possibly, but it cannot be guaranteed.
Licensure requirements in the United States can change over time, and future requirements depend on standards established by state licensing boards and educational criteria such as those set by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
If you complete your physical therapy education outside the United States and later seek U.S. licensure, your educational credentials will need to be evaluated to determine whether they meet the requirements in effect at the time you apply for licensure. Because requirements may change, it is not possible to predict whether a program completed abroad today will meet future U.S. licensure standards.
What Should I Consider?
If your long-term goal is to practice physical therapy in the United States, you may want to consider completing an entry-level U.S. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree first and then pursuing additional postgraduate education abroad. This approach may help reduce the risk of future educational deficiencies caused by changes in U.S. licensure requirements.
If you choose to study abroad now, it is important to stay informed about changes in U.S. licensure requirements throughout your education.
How Can I Stay Up to Date?
We recommend regularly reviewing information published by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Monitoring changes to educational and licensure requirements can help you ensure that you complete any coursework that may be required for future licensure in the United States.
For current information, visit the FSBPT website.