Transfer Your Physical Therapy License to Alabama: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy ↗

Alabama issues and accepts compact privileges as an active PT Compact member. If your home state is a member, you can practice in Alabama on a purchased privilege without an Alabama license; otherwise, or if you are moving to Alabama, the route is licensure by endorsement with the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — $100 (online application fee for a PT (same fee for endorsement or exam) per the Board fee schedule; annual PT renewal is $130; a fingerprint-based background-check fee applies separately. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.), no NPTE retake, the score transferred through the FSBPT.

Moving to Alabama from a specific state?

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement · PT Compact privilege (not a license)

Whether Alabama costs you a full license or just a privilege depends on what you are actually doing. Working in Alabama while your license and residence stay in another member state — a travel assignment, a satellite clinic, telehealth across the line — means buying an Alabama compact privilege and keeping your home license; Alabama charges no full-license fee for that path, though it may require its jurisprudence exam first. Relocating to Alabama is the other case: your residence changes, Alabama becomes your home state, and that is licensure by endorsement with the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy, after which Alabama can anchor privileges of its own.

Alabama is an active PT Compact member, so a PT whose home state is also a compact member may practice in Alabama on a compact privilege instead of endorsing. The AL JAM jurisprudence exam became mandatory for all applicants (new graduates and endorsements) effective Oct 7, 2024.

Alabama requirements at a glance

Out-of-state physical therapy license transfer requirements for Alabama, verified 2026-07-21
Exam	NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. Alabama also requires passing the Alabama Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Examination (AL JAM) with at least 80% correct.
Additional requirements	Graduate of a physical therapy program accredited by CAPTE (or an approved equivalent) Pass the Alabama Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam (AL JAM); 80% to pass Fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background check Submit official license verification from every state where you hold or held a license Complete 10 hours of continuing education in the last 12 months (unless you graduated within the past 12 months)
Fees	$100 (online application fee for a PT (same fee for endorsement or exam) per the Board fee schedule; annual PT renewal is $130; a fingerprint-based background-check fee applies separately. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)
Processing time	the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications

Step by step

Confirm Alabama's current requirements on the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy website — rules change.
Submit the endorsement application to the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy (application linked on this page).
Arrange license verification from your current state.
Graduate of a physical therapy program accredited by CAPTE (or an approved equivalent).
Pass the Alabama Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam (AL JAM); 80% to pass.
Fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background check.
Submit official license verification from every state where you hold or held a license.
Complete 10 hours of continuing education in the last 12 months (unless you graduated within the past 12 months).
Pay the fees ($100 (online application fee for a PT (same fee for endorsement or exam) per the Board fee schedule; annual PT renewal is $130; a fingerprint-based background-check fee applies separately. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)). Processing time: the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications.

Official links

Alabama Board of Physical Therapy ↗Alabama application ↗Physical Therapy Licensure Compact ↗

Coming from a specific state?

Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Alabama:

All 42 origin states

Nearby states

Physical Therapy license transfer into the states bordering Alabama:

Alabama for other professions

Frequently asked questions

Does my physical therapy license transfer to Alabama?

Do I have to retake the NPTE to get licensed in Alabama?

No. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. Alabama also requires passing the Alabama Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Examination (AL JAM) with at least 80% correct. No state requires a second NPTE.

How much does it cost to transfer a PT license to Alabama by endorsement?

$100 (online application fee for a PT (same fee for endorsement or exam) per the Board fee schedule; annual PT renewal is $130; a fingerprint-based background-check fee applies separately. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).

How long does Alabama take to process an endorsement application?

the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications.

Is Alabama in the PT Compact?

Yes — Alabama is an active member as of 2026-07-21. A PT or PTA whose home state is also a member can buy an Alabama compact privilege instead of a full license; relocating to Alabama still requires licensure by endorsement.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.

Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — Licensing Requirements ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — Fee Schedule ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
PT Compact — member states map ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)

Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]