NPTE Therapeutic Modalities Practice Questions
One area of FSBPT’s content outline · 4–6 of the 180 scored questions
225 questions across the whole content outline in 5 hours, with a score for Therapeutic Modalities so you know where you stand.
Free Therapeutic Modalities drillWhich ultrasound setting produces mainly nonthermal effects?
Therapeutic Modalities on the NPTE-PT
Therapeutic modalities carry 4–6 of the 180 scored questions on the NPTE-PT. The outline lists thermal modalities, iontophoresis, electrotherapy, ultrasound (excluding phonophoresis), mechanical modalities such as traction, biofeedback and intermittent compression, each tested on applications, indications, contraindications and precautions.
- Share of the exam
- Therapeutic Modalities 4–6 of the 180 scored questions (FSBPT outline, effective January 2024)
- On our mock exam
- 5 scored questions, inside FSBPT’s range
- Our drill
- 10 questions from 26 therapeutic modalities questions, untimed, an explanation after every answer; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
What Therapeutic Modalities questions test
- Thermal agents: hot packs, paraffin and cold, with their effects and contraindications
- Ultrasound: frequency and depth, duty cycle, treatment area and contraindications
- Electrotherapy: TENS for pain, NMES for strengthening, FES for foot drop and subluxation, interferential and high-voltage pulsed current, electrode placement
- Iontophoresis: polarity and dose in mA·min
- Mechanical: cervical and lumbar traction forces and positions, intermittent pneumatic compression and continuous passive motion
Sit the full exam under the real clock
225 questions across the whole content outline in 5 hours, with a score for Therapeutic Modalities so you know where you stand.
Free Therapeutic Modalities drillHow to study it
- Learn one contraindication list well and the exceptions for each modality.
- Remember ultrasound frequency: 1 MHz for deeper tissue, 3 MHz for superficial tissue.
- Practice dose arithmetic: iontophoresis dose equals current times time.
- Take the modalities drill until you score 90% or better.
Common questions
How many modalities questions are on the NPTE?
FSBPT’s outline assigns 4–6 of the 180 scored questions to therapeutic modalities.
Is phonophoresis on the NPTE?
The outline lists ultrasound modalities “excluding phonophoresis”, so our questions do not cover it.
225 questions across the whole content outline in 5 hours, with a score for Therapeutic Modalities so you know where you stand.
Free Therapeutic Modalities drillThe other NPTE-PT content areas
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems
- Musculoskeletal System
- Neuromuscular and Nervous Systems
- Integumentary System
- Other Systems and System Interactions
- Equipment, Devices and Technologies
- Safety and Protection
- Professional Responsibilities and Research
- Special tests drill
- Lab values and vital signs drill
- NPTE-PT practice exam (225 questions, 5 hours)
Sources
- FSBPT: NPTE Candidate Handbook (version 2025.02): format, timing, scoring, fees, testing limits, results
- FSBPT: NPTE-PT Test Content Outline, effective January 2024
- FSBPT: NPTE Content (outlines in effect since January 2024)
- FSBPT: Future test dates (2027 PT dates)
- FSBPT: Retake Exam
- FSBPT: Practice Exam and Assessment Tool (PEAT)
Original practice questions for exam preparation, written to the NPTE-PT Test Content Outline (effective January 2024). They are not NPTE questions or recalled questions. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) or Prometric. NPTE is a registered trademark of FSBPT.