D.P.T. Grads Score Highly on Licensure Exams

Pictured from left: Rosemarie Carter (D.P.T. ’22), Michaela Chee (D.P.T. ’22), and Gabrielle Cinquemani (D.P.T. ’22) at Commencement on the Long Island campus.

The 2022 graduates of the physical therapy program (D.P.T.) have passed their licensure exams with flying colors.

The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is part of the evaluation process that graduates must pass to become licensed physical therapists or physical therapy assistants in the United States. The exam is developed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, a membership organization for the 53 physical therapy licensing boards in the United States. To pass the NPTE, future physical therapists must achieve a scaled score of 600.

This year, New York Tech’s Class of 2022 D.P.T. graduates achieved a first-time pass rate of 100 percent, with a mean scale score of 702—far exceeding the national average mean scaled score of 667.8 and the 90.3 percent national average for this year’s first-time pass rate.

“We are so proud of this group. Their dedication and achievement are a true testament to their hard work and resilience. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the faculty’s incredible efforts throughout the pandemic and their ability to bring the curricular content to the students, both in the classroom and laboratory settings. Kudos all around,” said Cheryl Hall, D.H.Sc. (M.B.A. ’01), chair and associate professor of physical therapy.

“This wonderful accomplishment demonstrates the resilience of the D.P.T. Class of 2022, which succeeded despite the challenges of the pandemic and the relocation of the School of Health Professions building. When we returned from the pandemic to remote hybrid instruction, our students and faculty doubled down to get their work accomplished. We are thankful to everyone who contributed to this successful outcome and now we are delighted to have qualified licensed PT professionals entering the healthcare workforce from New York Tech. Congratulations,” said Gordon Schmidt, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Professions.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 21 percent by 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, approximately 15,600 openings for physical therapists are projected each year within this timeframe.

New York Tech’s physical therapy program began as a bachelor’s degree program in 1998. In 2003, the institution graduated its first class of Doctors of Physical Therapy. Today, the program boasts exceptional board exam pass rates and an impressive 100 percent three-year employment rate. Graduates have been employed by Montefiore Medical Center, Northwell Health, NYU Winthrop Hospital, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, among other noteworthy employers.