FSBPT Blueprint 2026

NPTE content areas — complete breakdown

Know exactly what percentage of the NPTE covers each content area, which specific topics are high-yield, and where to focus your study time.

Musculoskeletal (28%)
Neuromuscular & Nervous System (22%)
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary (16%)
Other Systems (18%)
Non-Systems (16%)
28%

Musculoskeletal

Orthopedic evaluation and diagnosis
Manual therapy — joint mobilization and manipulation
Surgical rehab (TKA, THA, rotator cuff, ACL)
Fractures — healing stages, weight-bearing status
Tendinopathies, bursitis, impingement syndromes
Spinal conditions — cervical, thoracic, lumbar
Outcome measures — FABQ, DASH, LEFS, NDI

28% of the exam. Study ortho evaluation, manual therapy grades, and post-op protocols. Most new grads underestimate surgical rehab complexity.

22%

Neuromuscular & Nervous System

Stroke — hemiplegia, Brunnstrom, Carr-Shepherd
TBI — Rancho Los Amigos scale, cognitive-motor interface
SCI — ASIA classification, functional mobility by level
Parkinson's disease — LSVT, fall risk, motor symptoms
Multiple sclerosis — heat sensitivity, Uhthoff phenomenon
Peripheral nerve injuries — Seddon/Sunderland classification
Vestibular disorders — BPPV, Epley maneuver, VOR

22% of the exam. SCI functional expectations by level are heavily tested. Know ASIA levels and what each functional level can and cannot do.

16%

Cardiovascular & Pulmonary

Cardiac rehab phases I–IV
Heart failure — HFrEF vs HFpEF, NYHA classification
COPD — GOLD staging, exercise prescription
Pulmonary rehab — pursed lip breathing, energy conservation
Exercise testing — 6MWT, VO₂max, Borg RPE
Cardiac monitoring — telemetry, contraindications to exercise
Aerobic exercise prescription — FITT-VP principle

16% of the exam. Exercise stopping criteria and telemetry interpretation are high-yield. Know absolute vs. relative contraindications to exercise.

18%

Other Systems

Integumentary — wound staging, debridement types
Lymphedema — complete decongestive therapy
Metabolic — diabetes exercise precautions, thyroid disorders
GI/GU — pelvic floor basics, incontinence types
Oncology — cancer rehab, lymphedema, fatigue
Pediatric — developmental milestones, tummy time progression
Geriatric — Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go

18% covers a wide range. Wound staging (NPUAP classification), lymphedema basics, and geriatric fall assessment are frequently tested.

16%

Non-Systems

Equipment — crutch fitting, wheelchair prescription
Assistive devices — gait patterns by device and weight-bearing
Therapeutic modalities — ultrasound, e-stim parameters
Safety — body mechanics, patient transfers, standard precautions
Professional ethics — APTA code, patient rights, HIPAA
Outcome measurement — MDC, MCID, responsiveness
Research and evidence-based practice basics

16% covers everything that doesn't fit a body system. Crutch-fitting measurements and gait pattern sequencing appear frequently.

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