CAPTE Accreditation Portal
The CAPTE Accreditation Portal allows for the electronic submission of program documents. Since the Portal contains confidential program information, access is allowed only with the username and password provided to the program director. Programs can check contact information and submit reports (Annual Accreditation Report, Self-Study Report, Compliance Report).
Resource Documents
Accreditation Handbook
Provides the rules of procedure by which CAPTE operates, including among other items:
- Accreditation Process (Part 8)
- Substantive Change (Part 9)
- Program Fees (Part 16)
- Standards and Required Elements (PTA; PT)
- CAPTE Position Papers
Access additional information regarding the 'On-Site Visit' process including the sample schedule (.pdf).
Annual Accreditation Report (AAR)
Data about accredited programs is collected annually in the AAR and is used to develop Aggregate Program Data (fact sheets) and to monitor compliance with the Standards and Required Elements. The next AAR is due December 1.
Aggregate Program Data
Includes demographic information accredited PT and PTA education programs and the numbers of accredited and developing programs.
Additional Resources
A list of useful CAPTE and APTA documents is provided, along with related webpages.
Documents Related to Standards and Required Elements
PT Standards and Required Elements (.doc ) [effective January 1, 2016]
PTA Standards and Required Elements (.doc) [effective January 1, 2016]
SSR Instructions and Forms (.doc) (This document is for BOTH PT and PTA programs that are developing a Self-study Report (SSR); it is not to be used in the development of an Application for Candidacy. If you are looking for individuals forms for submission of a Compliance Report/Progress Report, this packet contains: Program Assessment Matrix, CV required format, Scholarship Form, Retention Rate table, Graduation Rate table, Allocations & Expense table, and Clin Ed Placements Available table.)
Side by Side Comparisons of the Standards and Required Elements to the Evaluative CriteriaFor PTA Programs (.xls)
For PT Programs (.xls)
Cheat Sheets (one page list of elements) PTA Cheat Sheet (.doc) (single page listing of elements)
PT Cheat Sheet (.doc) (single page listing of elements)
For Use with Web CPI DocumentsPT CPI Performance Criteria Matched with Elements for PT Programs (.pdf)
PTA CPI Performance Criteria Matched with Elements for PTA Programs (.pdf)
Self-Study Process
Programs submit a Self-study Report and host an on-site visit as part of the accreditation review. Current documents, including access to CAPTE Accreditation Portal documents, are provided to the program director in January in the year preceding the visit. CAPTE holds meetings twice a year to review programs.
Self-Study Workshops
APTA's Accreditation Department holds self-study workshops 3 times a year. These workshops are held to discuss CAPTE's expectations for specific criteria as well as to address general accreditation and self-study processes.
Consultants
A list of educational consultants, if desired, can be obtained from Libby Ross, APTA Director of Academic Services.
CAPTE Meetings & Visits
Upcoming CAPTE Meetings
Upcoming On-site & Candidacy Visits
Becoming an On-Site Reviewer
Please contact Department of Accreditation staff if you are interested in becoming an on-site reviewer or you would like to nominate someone as an on-site reviewer.
APTA Curriculum Resources for Educators
A “Blueprint for Teaching Cultural Competence in Physical Therapy Education” and other resources to facilitate academic program curriculum development, review and enhancement are available to PT and PTA Educators.