RP appeals suspension of US licensure exam for PT grads

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippines has asked the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) in the United States to reconsider its suspension of the licensure examination for physical therapy graduates from the Philippines and three other countries.

The Philippine embassy in Washington has expressed concern over the impact of the decision barring Filipino physical therapy graduates from taking the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in the US following reports of alleged leak of test items by a local review center, St. Louis Review Center in Manila.

The Philippine embassy said only one review center is involved in the controversy out of the dozen review centers and prestigious Philippine colleges and universities that have their own review facilities.

In a letter to FSBPT chief executive officer Willian Hatherill, Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa said the ban could adversely affect the careers and employment opportunities of PT graduates from the Philippines.

The ambassador told Hatherill of the contributions of Philippine-trained medical and health practitioners to America’s healthcare system.

He has requested a meeting with FSBPT officials to discuss the ban.

Also included in the temporary suspension were PT graduates from Egypt, India and Pakistan.

The ban holds until the development of a “separate, secure exam” for the PT graduates from the four countries, possibly next year.

“This necessary security measure is in response to compelling evidence gathered by the (FSBPT) reflecting systematic and methodical sharing and distribution of recalled questions by significant numbers of graduates of programs in the affected countries, as well as several exam preparation companies specifically targeted to these graduates,” the FSBPT said in its website.

According to the FSBPT, it is now pursuing criminal copyright charges against the owners of the St. Louis Review Center.