Congrats on Passing the NPTE! Now What?

Congratulations! What an incredible accomplishment. You’ve passed the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)—a milestone that marks the start of your career as a licensed physical therapist. But now that the exam is behind you, you might be asking, “What’s next?”

Many new PTs find themselves in this exact position, feeling a bit lost after the excitement of passing the NPTE fades. In fact, if you check out conversations on platforms like Reddit, you’ll see that you’re not alone. There’s a thread where new PTs express confusion and even frustration about what to do after passing the exam. They feel like their schools didn’t fully prepare them for the realities of starting their careers, and they’re looking for guidance on how to navigate the next steps.

Step 1: Get Your License

Before you can start practicing, you need to get licensed in your state. Since pie Health is based in Texas and has an office in Oklahoma, let’s take a closer look at what’s required in these two states.

In Texas, after passing the NPTE, you’ll need to apply for your license through the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. The process involves submitting your application, paying a fee, and providing documents like proof of graduation and your NPTE results. Once everything is submitted, it typically takes a few weeks to get your license.

In Oklahoma, the process is similar. You’ll need to apply through the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision. This involves submitting your application along with the necessary documentation and fees. The board will review your application, and upon approval, you’ll be issued your license.

These steps are crucial to starting your career, so make sure you complete them as soon as possible. The sooner you’re licensed, the sooner you can begin working and building your professional experience.

Step 2: What’s Next? Navigating Your Career Path

After you’re licensed, you might wonder, “What now?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some new PTs choose to enter residency programs, while others go straight into the workforce. Residency programs offer advanced clinical training in specialties like orthopedics, neurology, or sports physical therapy. These programs typically last 9-12 months and can give you an edge in the job market, but they’re not required to start practicing.

If you’re not sure about residency, consider exploring different work settings. Hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, and sports facilities all offer unique opportunities. Each setting comes with its own challenges and rewards, so it’s worth taking the time to find the best fit for your interests and career goals.

For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting your own practice might be a long-term goal. However, it’s important to gain some clinical experience first. Most PTs who open their own practices do so after several years of working in different settings. This experience helps you build your clinical skills, understand the business side of healthcare, and develop a network of professional contacts.

Step 3: The APTA Guide—Laying the Foundation

If you’re considering starting your own practice, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) offers a fantastic guide that covers the foundational aspects of running a PT business. Their resources include everything from choosing the right location to managing finances and marketing your services. These are invaluable tools that can help you lay a strong foundation for your practice.

However, while the APTA guide is comprehensive, it doesn’t cover everything. One critical area that’s often overlooked is insurance credentialing and billing—a process that’s essential if you plan to accept insurance from your patients.

Step 4: Credentialing and Billing—The Missing Piece

Insurance credentialing is one of the most important steps in setting up your practice. Without proper credentialing, you won’t be able to accept insurance, which can limit your patient base and revenue. The process involves getting approved by insurance companies to be part of their network, which allows you to bill them for services provided to insured patients.

Unfortunately, the credentialing process can be complex and time-consuming. Each insurance company has its own set of requirements, and the approval process can take several months. This is where many new PTs struggle, as they often feel unprepared for the amount of work involved.

At pie Health, we understand how overwhelming this can be, especially when you’re just starting out. Our goal is to help new PTs navigate the credentialing and billing process with ease. Whether you’re planning to manage credentialing yourself or want professional assistance, understanding this process is crucial to your practice’s success.

Credentialing isn’t a one-time task. Once you’re credentialed with an insurance company, you’ll need to maintain your credentials, regularly updating your information and reattesting to your qualifications. If you don’t stay on top of this, you could face delayed or denied payments, which can have a significant impact on your cash flow.

Step 5: Preparing for the Next NPTE

If you haven’t passed the NPTE yet, the next exam is in October. Websites like PTOT Texas offer excellent resources to help you prepare. They provide guidelines on what to expect on exam day and how to make sure you’re fully prepared. Once you pass, you’ll face the same questions and challenges as those who have just passed in July—so having a game plan is essential.

Step 6: Let pie Health Guide You

At pie Health, we’re here to make your transition from student to professional as smooth as possible. We know that starting your career can be overwhelming, and we want to help you get to what matters most—caring for your patients. Whether it’s navigating the licensing process, choosing the right career path, or understanding the ins and outs of credentialing and billing, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

I signed up with pie Health at the recommendation of my billing company. While we ran into some snags with getting my Medicare application approved, the team at pie was able to help me troubleshoot these quickly and get me moving forward along at each step of the way. For someone who did not have any prior knowledge they were helpful in getting me acquainted with the process and let me know everything I needed to do along the way. Most importantly, I was able to successfully get what I needed and continue to grow my practice. 
Dr. Jay West, Jay West Physical Therapy

We invite you to schedule a consultation with us to learn more about how we can assist you in building a successful career. Stay tuned for more resources coming soon—whether you plan to manage these tasks yourself or seek professional help, we’re here to ensure your success.