recognition in USA with 3-year degree? Agencies?

Hi folks,

I am considering applying to work in the USA (I have contacted an agency that would be willing to help me with the proccess). The problem is, my degree was 3 years duration. Will this be a problem? I will finish my MSc next year but as far as I could read here 4-year degrees are more likely to pass the credential proccess???

I would not mind to do courses to make up for it, but I wouldn't like to pay 750 bucks to be rejected.

Also, does anyone has any experiences in going to USA through agencies? It seems like a good deal for me (they help you and pay for most of the proccess), but I would thank the opinion of other physios.

Thanks guys, good to have this forum to share our experiences!

depending in which state you are applying to. You will have to have your credentials evaluated by one of the agencies (FCCPT is a common one, that's recognized by most states). If you don't have a Green Card, you will have to file for Type I with FCCPT (go to their site Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy and read about it). Everything is explained in detail there. If your degree is 3 years and you don't have any other (non PT related degree, for instance), then you will most likely lack credits in General education (science, history, literature, biology, physics, chemistry, etc.). Most states require 60 general credits and 90 professional credits.Good luck

Thanks Karine,
I have seen the general education subjects in the FCCPT website and its a bit crazy... I had biology, chemistry and chemistry but history? literature? Oh well I suppose we all have to do it.

They ask only for 150 credits? I have 208 credits in my 3 year degree (old credits, not the ones nowadays that you go to class for 1 hour and they count it as 5...). But probably my credits will halve when they change it to their system...

Any other comments will be welcomed!