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PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
U.S.A. IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION SERVICE has issued an interim rule to grant, authorization to CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools ) to issue Certificates to Physical Therapists . This aforesaid rule grants the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) the right to issue certificates to foreign trained Physical Therapists. the effective date of the interim rule is June 29, 1999,
The above rule is applicable only to Physical Therapists who are applying for permanent residence in the U.S.A. as regards Physical Therapists who are applying for temporary residence status in the U.S.A.(H-1B Visa) they may continue to do so without the certification from CGFNS or FCCPT as is required by those seeking permanent residence.
Furthermore the interim rule on permanent residence requirements for Physical therapists lists the passing scores for the English language tests for the occupation of Physical therapists. The rule states that Physical Therapists must obtain the following scores on the English tests administered by the Educational testing Service (ETS) : test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL) :
Paper Based 560 : Computer Based 220 : Test of Written English (TWE) 4.5 : Test of Spoken English (TSE) : 50
Accordingly should a foreign licensed Physical Therapist desire to work temporarily in the U.S.A. on an H-1B visa (this visa can be valid for up to 6 years ) then the Physical therapist should ascertain from the State Licensing Board in that state of intended employment regarding the obtaining of temporary licensing. This temporary license will enable the foreign Physical Therapist to work on the H-1B visa in the U.S.A. In the U.S.A. each state has its own licensing requirements specifically the issuing of temporary licenses to foreign Physical Therapists. The time periods vary from state to state as regards the temporarily licensed Physical Therapist to take the exams for permanent licensing . The temporary licensing can be for lesser or greater periods than 1 year. The H-1B visa can then be obtained should the foreign Physical therapist have a job offer in the U.S.A. as a Physical Therapist in the state where the temporary licensing is approved .
To obtain permanent residence in the U.S.A. the foreign Physical therapist must be eligible for permanent licensing in the state in the U.S.A. where the job is offered. there is however an exemption from the need to obtain a Labor certification. Therefore the permanent residence procedure takes approximately 1 year instead of about 3 years in cases where a Labor certificate is required.
You may communicate with ourselves to discuss all aspects of temporary and/or permanent residence in the U.S.A. including where and how to obtain Physical Therapists Credentialing Application.
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