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Institutions seeking to develop a PT or PTA program must consult section 7 of the CAPTE Rules of Practice and Procedure for detailed guidance. Because these rules are periodically updated, institutions are responsible for ensuring they reference the most current version.
Steps to Develop a PT or PTA Education Program
- Contact CAPTE to set up your portal account
- Submit Notification of Intent to develop a program
- Receive assignment to one of the two review cycles that occur each year (May or November)
- Employ a Program Director - must be employed 21 months prior to submitting the application for candidacy (AFC)
- Employ a Second Core Faculty - must be employed 12 months prior to submitting the AFC
- Reconfirmation of Intent to develop a program - due March 1 or Sept 1, depending on which cycle you are assigned to
- Submit the AFC
- AFC reviewed by document reviewers
- On-site review of the program by the on-site team
- Respond to Program Review Report
- CAPTE panel makes accreditation recommendation
- Board makes final accreditation decision
- The program is notified and can matriculate the first cohort three weeks from the decision to award candidacy is made
Resource Documents:
Conducting and Writing a Needs Assessment
Application for Candidacy Instructions and Individual Documents
Accreditation Handbook which includes the Rules of Practice and Procedure, special attention to the following areas:
- Procedures for Achievement of and Maintenance of Candidate for Accreditation (includes decision Cycle timelines) (Part 7)
- Procedures for Achievement of and Maintenance of Accreditation (Part 8)
- Substantive Change Rules (Part 9)
- Program Fees (Part 16)
Documents Related to Standards and Required Elements
Cheat Sheets
View scheduled and available candidacy review cycles
Fee Schedule
Workshops
CAPTE's Accreditation Department holds two types of workshops two times a year: Developing Program Workshops and Self-study Workshops. Developing programs are required to send at least two individuals (the program director and an appropriate institutional administrator) to a Developing Program Workshop PRIOR to the submission of the Application for Candidacy. Program directors and administrators are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop early in the development process.
APTA Curriculum Resources for Educators
Access other resources to facilitate academic program curriculum development, review and enhancement are available to PT and PTA Educators.