After graduation, students are eligible to take the physical therapy licensing exam in Illinois or any other state. Graduating students are responsible for obtaining an application to take the physical therapy licensing examination from their chosen state's licensing authority and for submitting it to the licensing authority. In Illinois that agency is the Illinois Office of Professional Regulation in Springfield, Illinois. A downloadable application may be obtained at http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/pt.asp The Illinois licensing agency also distributes an examination handbook published by Professional Examination Service: "Examination Handbook for Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant." The handbook has a listing of every state licensing agency.

Department of Professional Regulation
320 W. Washington Street - 3rd floor
Springfield, IL 62786
(217) 782-8556

Most states' applications include a certificate of education form. Illinois uses the ED-PT form which the department distributes to graduating students. After graduation the department works with the Office of Admissions and Records (OAR) to have the school seal affixed and forwards the form to the state/testing agency. The student is notified directly by the state/testing agency once the form has been processed and the student is eligible to register for the exam.

The licensing exam in Illinois is given by computer six days per week all year round. A verification of registration for the exam will be issued by the licensing authority (or the testing service, if it has agency powers).

The ability to work as a license applicant ('temporary licensure') varies from state to state. Some states, such as Illinois, do not provide for temporary licensure. Some states will allow a student to apply for the licensing exam with a verification of expected graduation letter completed by the Department Head. Students are responsible for determining the requirements of the state(s) in which they expect to be licensed.

Licensure Examination Preparatory Courses
The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy has information about the computer based licensing exam, and a practice exam on their web site: www.fsbpt.org There are organizations that offer mini-courses to prepare you for the licensing exam. The tuition for the courses can run about $250 for a two-day program to $795 for an 11 day program. The department receives promotional mailings for these courses, generally after the seniors have graduated. The department does not evaluate these courses, and does not have any information as to whether they are beneficial. Some who have offered the preparatory courses are:

• International Educational Resources
  118 Brister's Hill Road
  Concord, MA 01742
  Phone: (508) 369-0743
  Fax: (508) 371-2356
  
• Therapy Team Exam Review, Inc.
  3100 45th Street
  Highland, Indiana 46322
  Phone: (219) 922-4360
  Fax: (219) 922-4364
  
• A Guide to Success
  Review book designed to help you prepare for the licensing exam.
  Published by:
  Mainely Physical Therapy
  A Guide to Success
  P.O. Box 186
  Kennebunkport, ME 04046
  
• A two-day workshop is frequently offered for physical therapy licensing exam review by an organization named Pro Exam Source.
  Pro Exam Source
  PO Box 139
  Henmann, MO 65041
  1-800-448-6851