Physical Therapist Licensing Requirements by State

Oct 07, 2024

Whether you’re a seasoned physical therapist (PT) or just starting your career in physical therapy, understanding and maintaining your license is crucial for practicing legally. With each state having its own set of rules, staying compliant can feel challenging, especially if you’re considering working in multiple locations or moving.

For comprehensive support with your professional licensing needs nationwide, Vivian Health provides all the necessary details to help you confidently navigate the requirements for physical therapist licensing by state, from initial licensing to renewals.

General Requirements for PT Licensure and Applications

Demand for physical therapists

We begin with an overview of the typical requirements most states have for obtaining a physical therapist license. These requirements include educational and testing requirements, jurisprudence exams, fingerprinting and background checks, and considerations for foreign-educated applicants.

Education Requirements

All states require licensure applicants to have graduated from an approved education program, usually accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) or another recognized body, including some U.S. military programs. Starting in January 2016, CAPTE began requiring entry-level education to be a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree. Thus, new applicants by examination must have earned a DPT. However, applicants licensed before this time may only have a bachelor’s or master’s degree based on the requirements when they were initially licensed. Many states require applicants to have the educational institution send either an official transcript or a letter/certificate of completion, especially if applying by exam.

Application by Examination

If you’re applying for a PT license for the first time after graduating from your DPT program, you must apply for licensure by examination in your state of residence. Generally, you must send your state’s licensing board proof of completing a board-approved education program. Then, the state provides you an authorization to test (ATT) to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Generally, passing this test earns you licensure. Some states provide a temporary permit to work while you wait to test.

National Physical Therapy Examination

To receive your initial licensure by examination, you must sit for the NPTE, administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). This exam includes 225 questions with a five-hour time limit. You may take the NPTE up to three times consecutively in a 12-month period, with exams administered on fixed dates.

The fee for taking the NPTE is $485, separate from any fees your state charges for licensure or application. Exams are conducted at Prometric Testing Centers nationwide, which require an additional fee of $100.30 to use its facilities. NOTE: This fee increases to $112 beginning January 1, 2025.

State Jurisprudence Exams

A jurisprudence exam tests your knowledge of the state’s laws and rules governing physical therapy. Many states require you to pass this exam before issuing you a license. Some states manage these exams directly, and they can be free or have a nominal fee. Other states outsource their jurisprudence exam or assessment to the FSBPT, and you can take them simultaneously with the NPTE. The FSBPT charges a flat rate of $48 for jurisprudence assessments and $65 for jurisprudence exams, and the Prometric Testing Center may charge an additional fee.

Fingerprinting and Background Checks

Many states require fingerprinting and a background check through a state and/or federal agency. The process usually involves a fee paid to organizations such as the Department of Justice (DOJ) or Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Some states simply require you to disclose past criminal or professional disciplinary history on the application under signed oath.

Application by Endorsement

If you’re actively licensed in one state but moving permanently to another, you must apply for a PT license in your new state of residence. Usually, this application process is more straightforward than an application by exam for a first-timer. Each state has a process for verifying your existing license. While you may have to resubmit your educational transcript and NPTE scores, not all states require it.

Applicants by endorsement usually must show that they meet a state’s ongoing continuing education (CE) requirements and pass the state jurisprudence exam, if applicable. Fingerprinting and background check requirements are typically the same as those for applicants by exam, but not all states conduct them.

Foreign Educated Applicants

Many U.S.-based physical therapists receive their education overseas, and most states can accommodate a foreign education in the licensure process. You typically must submit additional paperwork to the state board to demonstrate that your foreign program was substantially similar in its requirements and curriculum to an accredited U.S. program. If your educational program wasn’t conducted in English, the state may require you to pass an English proficiency exam.

Temporary Permits

Many states provide some sort of temporary PT license, permit or authorization to work if you’ve completed your education program but haven’t taken the NPTE or received your exam results. These permits generally expire after 90 or 180 days or when you receive your exam results, whichever comes first.

If you receive a passing score, you earn permanent licensure. Alternatively, a failing score almost always cancels your temporary work authorization immediately, though at least one state allows you to attempt one retake while still working. Many states require PTs working with temporary approval to be actively supervised by a PT licensed in that state, while others allow unsupervised work immediately.

A few states also offer temporary permits to applicants by endorsement to work until the state finishes processing their applications, but most don’t. See details by state below.