USA · Professional license

Physical therapist license

Granted by state physical therapy licensing boards, not by a national exam alone. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a CAPTE-accredited program (typically 3 years after a bachelor's degree).

Granted byState physical therapy licensing boards
National exams1NPTE
ExperienceClinical education is part of the DPT; residencies (about 1 year) are optional.
Other statesPT Compact38 jurisdictions · Issuing and accepting compact privileges
See the route Rules in other states

How to get licensed

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a CAPTE-accredited program (typically 3 years after a bachelor's degree).

  1. High school diploma
  2. Bachelor's degree with anatomy, chemistry and physics prerequisites
  3. DPT (about 3 years)
  4. NPTEExam
  5. State licenseLicense

The exams

National bodies write the exams; the state board decides who is licensed. FSBPT — writes the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE); CAPTE — accredits PT programs.

  • NPTEEntry-level competence exam; all jurisdictions use the same passing standard, and some add other requirements.
    FSBPT
    State Licensure & NPTE InformationFederation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
    Checked
    7 Oct 2026
    View source

State rules and other states

All 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands require a license; each sets its own eligibility rules.

Physical Therapy Compact (PT Compact)

With a compact privilege, licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can practice in participating compact states without applying for a new license in each one.

Issuing and accepting compact privileges · 38

Member states actively issuing and accepting compact privileges.

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
Legislation enacted, not yet issuing or accepting · 3

The state has enacted the compact but is not yet issuing or accepting compact privileges.

  • Maine
  • Michigan
  • Rhode Island
List as published by Physical Therapy Compact Commission, checked 7 Oct 2026. Memberships change: confirm with the state board before you rely on it.
PT Compact
PT Compact member statesPhysical Therapy Compact Commission
Checked
7 Oct 2026
Next review
5 Jan 2027
View official list

Careers that use this license

Sources: BLS · FSBPT. Checked 7 Oct 2026. How Margdarshan sources its data →