What Should I Do After Receiving My Physical Therapy Credential Evaluation?
If you earned your physical therapy degree outside the United States and recently received your credential evaluation, you may be wondering what to do next.
Your report may indicate that your education meets the applicable U.S. physical therapy educational requirements, or it may identify deficiencies involving professional coursework, academic credits, or supervised clinical education.
If your evaluation identifies deficiencies, the next step is to understand exactly what is missing before enrolling in additional coursework.
Not every deficiency requires a separate course. Some findings may involve missing documentation, while others may be addressed through university courses that cover multiple educational requirements.
Following a structured process can help you avoid unnecessary coursework, reduce expenses, and make informed decisions about your educational pathway.
Step 1: Review Your Credential Evaluation Results
Begin by reviewing the final report issued by your credential evaluation organization.
Physical therapy credential evaluations may be completed by organizations such as:
- Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
- International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
- International Consultants of Delaware (ICD), operated within TruMerit
Locate the overall educational equivalency determination and identify any requirements that were not satisfied.
Your report may indicate that you have met the applicable educational standard or that additional educational requirements remain outstanding.
If your education meets the applicable requirements, you may not need additional coursework to address CWT deficiencies. However, you must still satisfy the other requirements established by your intended state licensing authority.
If deficiencies are identified, review each finding carefully before deciding how to proceed.
Step 2: Confirm That Your Evaluation Meets Your State's Requirements
Each U.S. state licensing authority establishes its own requirements for internationally educated physical therapists.
Before completing additional education, confirm that:
- Your intended state accepts the organization that completed your evaluation.
- The report was completed using the appropriate Coursework Tool (CWT) or other required educational standard.
- The evaluation service satisfies the state's requirements for your particular application.
- You understand any additional state-specific requirements.
The applicable CWT may depend on your graduation year, intended state, whether you are applying for initial licensure or endorsement, and the purpose of the evaluation.
For example, a physical therapist who graduated in 2005 may be evaluated under CWT4 when historical standards are accepted, while another state or application type may require a more current standard.
If you discover that your evaluation does not meet the requirements of your intended state, contact the credentialing organization about available options before purchasing an entirely new evaluation.
For more information, read ourGuide to Determining Which CWT Applies to You.
Step 3: Identify Every Deficiency in Your Report
If your credential evaluation identifies unmet educational requirements, organize the findings by deficiency type.
Common categories include:
| Deficiency Type | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Professional education topic | Missing or insufficiently documented physical therapy educational content |
| General education topic | Required general education subjects not established by the evaluation |
| Professional education credits | Eligible professional credits below the applicable minimum |
| Overall academic credits | Total recognized academic credits below the applicable requirement |
| Clinical education | Missing supervised clinical education hours, credits, documentation, or other clinical requirements |
Record the specific topic or requirement, the evaluator's finding, and any identified credit or clinical education shortfall.
Be careful not to confuse the total credits required with the number of credits you are actually deficient.
Also, professional and overall academic credit deficiencies should not automatically be added together. Eligible professional coursework may contribute toward both requirements.
For a more detailed explanation, read ourGuide to Understanding Topic, Credit, and Clinical Education Deficiencies.
Step 4: Determine Whether the Deficiency Is Educational or Documentation-Related
Before enrolling in additional university courses, consider whether the evaluator lacked documentation of education you already completed.
For example, your original physical therapy program may have included a required subject, but the course title or transcript alone may not clearly identify that content.
In other cases, the evaluator may not have received detailed course descriptions, syllabi, or adequate clinical education documentation.
A deficiency could therefore reflect education that was not sufficiently established from the records reviewed.
If you believe a deficiency relates to education you already completed:
- Review the educational documentation submitted with your evaluation.
- Check whether original course descriptions or syllabi describe the missing topic.
- Determine whether additional educational documentation is available from your institution.
- Ask your credential evaluation organization whether it offers a process for reviewing supplemental documentation or correcting the evaluation.
Do not assume that you must repeat coursework simply because a topic appears as deficient.
The evaluator determines whether supplemental documentation is sufficient to establish that a requirement was previously satisfied.
If the education was not completed or remains insufficient under the applicable standard, additional coursework may be necessary.
Step 5: Identify Courses That May Address Multiple Deficiencies
Once you have confirmed the educational requirements that remain unmet, review potentially relevant university coursework.
A single course may cover several professional physical therapy topics.
For example, a university course focused on screening for medical disorders may include educational content related to patient history, systems review, screening, differential diagnosis, and clinical decision-making.
Depending on the course content and evaluator's determination, one course may address more than one identified topic deficiency.
Additionally, the academic credits earned through an accepted course may contribute toward a professional education or overall academic credit shortage.
Example: Topic and Credit Deficiencies
Suppose your evaluation identifies:
- Screening: Not satisfied
- Systems review: Not satisfied
- Differential diagnosis: Not satisfied
- Professional education credit deficiency: 12 credits
A two-credit university course that adequately covers all three topics may potentially address those deficiencies.
If the evaluator accepts the course for all three topics and recognizes its credits as eligible professional education, the student may have 10 professional credits remaining.
The course still awards only two academic credits, even if it addresses three topic deficiencies.
This is why reviewing your deficiencies together can be more efficient than selecting a separate course for every missing topic.
Learn more in ourGuide to Courses That May Address Multiple CWT Deficiencies.
Step 6: Get a Free Educational Deficiency Plan
Once you understand the findings in your credential evaluation, you can begin exploring appropriate educational options.
The Strelis PT License Deficiency Navigator provides a free educational planning service focused on University of Montana coursework.
By uploading your completed credential evaluation, you can explore courses that may address your identified academic deficiencies.
Depending on your evaluation, the planning process may help you:
- Identify University of Montana courses relevant to missing professional education topics.
- Recognize opportunities for one course to address multiple requirements.
- Understand how eligible credits may contribute toward academic credit shortages.
- Explore potential combinations of individual courses.
- Consider whether a post-professional Doctor of Physical Therapy program may be appropriate.
The Navigator focuses on University of Montana coursework rather than comparing every university or course provider nationally.
The educational planning service is free. University tuition and any credentialing or third-party fees are separate.
Get My Free Educational Deficiency Plan
The plan provides educational recommendations. It is not an official credential evaluation or course pre-approval.
Step 7: Compare Individual University Courses With a Post-Professional DPT
Not every student needs to complete an entire DPT program to address educational deficiencies.
For some applicants, a small number of individual courses may provide the required educational content.
For others with substantial professional education credit shortages, multiple missing topics, or a desire to earn a doctoral degree, a post-professional DPT program may be worth considering.
The University of Montana offers:
Individual nondegree-seeking courses
Selected online university courses that eligible students may complete without enrolling in a degree program.
Bachelor's-to-DPT program
A 30-credit post-professional DPT pathway offered over five accelerated or seven traditional semesters.
Master's-to-DPT program
A 20-credit post-professional DPT pathway, offered over five traditional or three accelerated semesters, for applicants with a qualifying master's-level physical therapy degree or recognized academic equivalent.
Consider Tuition and Educational Goals
At the University of Montana, the standard tuition rate for the applicable post-professional physical therapy coursework is $425 per credit.
Eligible international students residing in designated countries or regions may be eligible for adjusted-rate tuition of $250 per credit when enrolled in a post-professional DPT degree program.
Adjusted-rate tuition does not apply to individual nondegree-seeking courses.
For example, 18 individual nondegree-seeking credits at $425 per credit would cost $7,650 in tuition.
An eligible student completing the 30-credit bachelor's-to-DPT program at the adjusted rate would pay $7,500 in tuition.
However, the DPT requires more coursework, may involve a longer time commitment, and does not guarantee that every identified deficiency will be satisfied.
Students should consider the number of credits needed, degree eligibility, tuition classification, and long-term educational goals.
An enrollment coach can help determine potential adjusted-rate tuition eligibility.
For more information, read ourGuide to Individual Courses vs. a Post-Professional DPT.
Step 8: Decide Whether You Need Additional Course Review or Pre-Approval
Before enrolling, understand the difference between educational course recommendations and official evaluator acceptance.
The Navigator identifies potentially relevant University of Montana coursework but does not issue formal course pre-approvals.
Some credentialing organizations offer optional paid planning or course-review services.
For example, FCCPT offers its Planned Learning and Assistance Network (PLAN), with certain service options providing course pre-approval.
These services may be useful when a student wants additional confirmation before enrolling, but they are not generally required simply to explore university coursework or begin taking classes.
You can review your free Navigator educational plan before deciding whether a paid planning or pre-approval service would provide additional value.
Any specific state licensing or credential evaluation requirements should also be confirmed before proceeding.
Step 9: Complete Your Coursework and Keep the Required Documentation
After selecting an educational pathway, enroll in the applicable university courses and complete the academic requirements.
Maintain records of the education you complete, including:
- Official course titles and numbers
- Academic credits earned
- Course descriptions and syllabi
- Completion dates
- Official university transcripts
- Any additional documentation required by your evaluator
The University of Montana's post-professional physical therapy courses are delivered online and asynchronously within academic semesters.
Students seeking to satisfy CWT deficiencies should confirm which documents their credentialing evaluator requires after coursework is completed.
A course completion record or unofficial transcript may not be sufficient for the evaluator's final review.
Step 10: Submit Your Completed Coursework for Re-Evaluation
After completing additional coursework, follow your credentialing organization's procedures for having that education reviewed.
Depending on the evaluator and service, you may need to request a re-evaluation or updated credential report.
For example, FCCPT offers a re-evaluation process for applicants who have completed additional education after an earlier evaluation.
The organization may require official transcripts sent directly by the university and supporting course documentation.
The evaluator will determine whether the new coursework satisfies the previously identified deficiencies.
If additional deficiencies remain, you may need to complete further coursework or provide additional documentation.
Once your educational requirements have been satisfied, continue following the application process established by your intended state licensing authority.
Remember that educational equivalency is only one component of U.S. physical therapy licensure. Other requirements, including the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first after receiving my FCCPT evaluation?
Review the final findings, verify that your evaluation meets your intended state's requirements, and identify any deficiencies. Before taking courses, determine whether the findings involve missing education or insufficient documentation.
Do I need to complete a separate course for every CWT deficiency?
Not necessarily. One course may address multiple educational topics while contributing eligible academic credits toward a credit deficiency. Acceptance depends on the evaluator.
What if my evaluation says I am educationally equivalent?
You may not need additional coursework to address CWT deficiencies under that evaluation. However, you must still meet your intended state's other licensure requirements.
What if I already studied the topic listed as deficient?
Review your existing documentation and ask the evaluator whether additional course descriptions, syllabi, or other records can be submitted for review. Previously completed education may be relevant, but acceptance is not guaranteed.
Can I complete my deficiencies online?
Many academic topic and eligible credit deficiencies can be addressed through online university courses. Additional supervised clinical education requirements generally cannot be replaced by online academic coursework alone.
Do I need FCCPT PLAN before taking courses?
Not generally. FCCPT PLAN is an optional paid educational planning service for eligible applicants. Certain options include course pre-approval, but purchasing PLAN is not generally required simply to enroll in university courses.
What if my report came from IERF or ICD rather than FCCPT?
You should follow the documentation and re-evaluation procedures of the organization that issued your report. the Navigator focuses on potential University of Montana coursework rather than issuing official credential evaluations.
Can I begin a post-professional DPT while my credential evaluation is underway?
Yes, provided you independently satisfy the University's academic admission requirements. Students who intend to earn a DPT may pursue the degree while their credential evaluation is being completed.
Does earning a DPT automatically resolve my deficiencies?
No. The evaluator determines whether individual courses and academic credits satisfy the applicable educational requirements. Additional coursework may still be necessary.
How much does a Navigator educational plan cost?
The Navigator planning service is free. University tuition and any applicable credential evaluation, re-evaluation, licensing, or optional planning fees are separate.
Your Next Step: Get a Free Educational Deficiency Plan
You do not need to figure out every educational deficiency on your own before exploring your options.
If your physical therapy credential evaluation identifies missing professional coursework or academic credit requirements, the Navigator can help you understand potentially relevant University of Montana courses.
Our free educational planning process helps identify opportunities to address multiple requirements without unnecessary duplication.
Whether you need a few individual courses or want to explore a post-professional DPT degree, understanding your options can help you make a more informed decision.
Get My Free Educational Deficiency Plan
Questions About DPT Admission or Tuition Eligibility?
If you are considering a post-professional DPT program, an enrollment coach can help you understand available pathways, academic admission requirements, and potential adjusted-rate tuition eligibility.
Explore University of Montana Post-Professional DPT Programs
the Navigator provides educational planning assistance focused on University of Montana coursework. Recommendations are not official credential evaluations, course pre-approvals, academic admissions decisions, or guarantees of U.S. physical therapy licensure.