Working Abroad: USA.

Do you have a desire to wake up looking out onto The Big Apple, The Golden Gate, Grand Canyon or Niagara? Maybe the United States has what your looking for!

The USA has been a popular destination for Irish Emigrants for centuries. No matter where you go in America you are sure to find an Irish community who will welcome you with open arms.

Irish physiotherapists are popular in the USA and highly sought after. Irish Physiotherapists often avoid the USA because of their registration process. I hope to explain the registration process with some helpful links!

Physio-pedia has some very helpful websites posted which I investigated further.

There are many job opportunities for Irish physiotherapists in the USA, these can be found on the American Physical Therapy Association webpage. Starting salary for a basic grade physiotherapist is around $60,000. ($45,000/€34,000 after tax.) 

Requirements to begin your registration process:

• Your college must release transcripts to FCCPT.
• Proof of licence to practice from ISCP.
• Copy of your degree, which must be signed by a notary public. (Your solicitor may be a notary public.)
• A declaration form stating that all information provided by you is correct.
• A passport photo signed by a notary public.

Registration process:

This is divided into 5 sections. 

Step 1: Prior to registration you must attain 30 additional credits.

This can be attained via CLEP(College-level examination programme). This allows you the opportunity to get college credits for subjects you already know. For example: Human growth and development. Most exams correspond to one semester modules and are mainly MCQ style exams. They are 90 minutes in duration and cost $80 each. The good news is that there are 4 test centres in the UK, so there's no need to travel to the USA for this!

Step 2: You must receive vetting from the APTA, which is made up of 53 jurisdictions.  Each jurisdiction has its own vetting process.

For example: In Illinois the Illinois Physical Therapy Association has no information for individuals looking for license who have a license to practice in another country. But there is a requirement for a minimum of masters degree in physiotherapy. 

In Massachusetts there is no information for foreign members, but degree needs to be equivalent of US programme.

You should contact the  PT association in the jurisdiction you are interested on working in for more detailed information. A list of the jurisdictions can be found Here. 

Step 3: You are required to apply online via Foreign credentialing commission on Physical Therapy for a type 1 review (for Irish looking for visa.).  This is recognised in all 53 jurisdictions by the licensing agencies. All applications may be made online through www.fccpt.org. You will be provided with an advisory report deciding if your education and training is equivalent to US standards. Applications are usually processed in about 8 weeks.

Step 4: Permission to work in the USA must be applied for through the US citizenship and immigration services. More information can be found at USCIS. 

Step 5: Licence to practice can be gotten through sitting the national physical therapy exam (NPTE). this may be sat in any jurisdiction but you cannot schedule an exam until the jurisdiction you are applying to approves your registration. Exams are help 4 times a year. With all the information you need on FSBPT.

Costs of registration:

CLEP exams: $80.00 per exam.

FCCPT registration: $750.00

Individual state fees: $60-245.00.

APTA registration(optional): $295.00.

NPTE Exam: $400.00.

An example of a reputable physiotherapy company who has accepted Irish students for clinical placement in the past is Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers. This company has over 200 outpatient facilities in 8 states across the USA. They provide an excellent service and have wonderful physiotherapists and clients who welcome Irish physiotherapists wholeheartedly.

We hope this will be of help to anyone interested in going to the USA. Feel free to comment below!

LS.