Can I take the NPTE if my PT program is in candidacy status?

Yes, graduates of programs with Candidate for Accreditation status are eligible to take the NPTE. However, candidacy does not guarantee the program will ultimately achieve full accreditation, so enrolling carries some risk.

What is a good NPTE first-time pass rate for a DPT program?

The national first-time pass rate is approximately 88.9%. Strong programs consistently score above 90%. CAPTE requires a minimum 85% two-year average, and programs falling below this face scrutiny.

How to Evaluate PT Program Accreditation and Outcomes

Q: What is CAPTE accreditation and why does it matter for PT school?

CAPTE is the only agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit PT programs. You must graduate from a CAPTE-accredited or candidacy program to sit for the NPTE and practice as a licensed physical therapist.

Accreditation status is the single most important factor to verify before applying to any DPT program. Without it, you cannot sit for the NPTE, and without the NPTE, you cannot practice as a physical therapist. Beyond the binary accredited/not question, program outcome data reveals how well a program actually prepares its students. Here is how to evaluate both.

What CAPTE Accreditation Means

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit entry-level PT and PTA education programs. You must graduate from a CAPTE-accredited program to sit for the NPTE and practice as a licensed PT in any U.S. state, DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

There are currently 297 DPT programs that produce licensure-eligible graduates (277 fully accredited + 20 in candidacy), with another 56 in development.

Accreditation Statuses Explained

Check every program's status in the CAPTE directory. The status definitions matter:

Accredited. The program is in substantial compliance with CAPTE standards. Accreditation is granted for up to 10 years (5 years for new programs). This is the strongest status. Graduates are eligible for the NPTE.

Candidate for Accreditation. The program has admitted at least one class and is making satisfactory progress toward full accreditation. Graduates are eligible for the NPTE, but candidacy does not guarantee the program will ultimately achieve full accreditation. Enrolling in a candidacy program carries some risk.

Probationary Accreditation. The program has been found out of compliance with one or more accreditation criteria. Quality may be at risk. The program remains accredited (graduates can still take the NPTE), but this is a serious warning sign. Investigate why the program is on probation and what steps are being taken to address the issues.

Developing Program (Candidacy Application Submitted). The program has begun the process but has not yet achieved candidacy. No students admitted to the professional phase.

Developing Program (Director Hired). The earliest stage. No students admitted.

Special note on hybrid programs: Several newer hybrid DPT programs are in candidacy status, meaning they have not yet graduated a class or produced NPTE results. Be especially careful with these. Ask about their projected timeline to full accreditation and understand the implications if the program does not achieve it.

The Outcome Metrics That Matter

NPTE Pass Rates

A program's first-time pass rate on the NPTE is one of the most concrete measures of educational quality. You can look up any program's two-year first-time pass rate on the FSBPT pass rates by program page.

Key benchmarks:

National first-time pass rate (2024): approximately 88.9% (FSBPT)
CAPTE minimum threshold: 85% two-year average. Programs that fall below this face scrutiny and potential accreditation action.
Strong programs: consistently above 90%
Range: varies from below 60% to 100% depending on the program

A single dip in pass rate can happen for various reasons. A pattern of declining pass rates is a red flag that warrants investigation. Ask the program directly what happened and what they are doing to address it.

Graduation Rate

The percentage of students who matriculate and ultimately complete the program.

National average: 97.6% (CAPTE aggregate data)
CAPTE minimum threshold: 80% two-year average
Individual programs set their own higher targets (many at 90-95%)

A graduation rate significantly below the national average could indicate problems with student support, curriculum design, admissions practices, or clinical education structure.

Employment Rate

The percentage of graduates who sought employment as PTs and were employed within one year of graduation.

National average: 99.1% (CAPTE aggregate data)
Most programs report rates at or near 100%

This metric is less differentiating than pass rates or graduation rates because PT employment is strong across the profession. However, a program with an unusually low employment rate warrants questions.

Where to Find This Data

CAPTE aggregate program data. The CAPTE fact sheet provides national averages and ranges for enrollment, outcomes, faculty, and costs.

FSBPT pass rate reports. Program-specific two-year pass rates are publicly available.

Individual program websites. CAPTE requires every accredited program to publish an annual financial fact sheet (by October 15 each year) that includes tuition, fees, average graduate debt, pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates.

PTCAS Program Directory. The PTCAS Directory allows you to compare programs on prerequisites, deadlines, GRE requirements, observation hours, and cost.

Red Flags to Watch For

Pass rates consistently below 85%. This is the CAPTE minimum. A program hovering near this threshold may be at risk of accreditation action.
Probationary status. Investigate the reason. A program may be addressing a specific, fixable issue, or it may indicate deeper systemic problems.
Programs not yet accredited claiming their graduates "will be" eligible for the NPTE. Only graduates of accredited or candidacy programs are eligible. Developing programs do not qualify.
Lack of transparency. If a program's website does not prominently display outcome data, ask why. CAPTE requires this information to be publicly available.
Very new programs with no outcome data. Programs in candidacy have not yet graduated a class and therefore have no pass rate, graduation rate, or employment data. You are relying on the program's curriculum, faculty credentials, and CAPTE's candidacy assessment.
Unusually low graduation rates. A rate below 85% suggests a meaningful number of students who started the program did not finish.

How to Use This Information

Accreditation and outcomes data should be your first filter, not your only one. A program with a 98% pass rate and a 99% employment rate is meeting the baseline for quality education. Beyond that baseline, other factors determine whether the program is right for you: cost, location, clinical affiliations, class size, curriculum focus, and program culture.

Use the PTCAS Directory and CAPTE directory early in your process. Eliminate any program that is not accredited or in candidacy. Then compare outcome data across your remaining options. A program with slightly lower pass rates but significantly lower cost may still be the better financial choice, as long as the pass rate is well above the 85% threshold.

For a broader guide to program selection, see how to choose the right DPT program.

For the full application walkthrough, visit our PTCAS guide. For cost considerations, see budgeting for DPT school.