Physical Therapy License from California to Delaware: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation) ↗
A physical therapy license transfers from California to Delaware by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation), verify your California license, and meet Delaware's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board directly by FSBPT or by the original state of licensure. Delaware has no state jurisprudence exam but requires two hours of training in physical therapy ethics..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
This direction has a payoff. California is outside the active compact, so you have had no privileges to work with — but Delaware is an active member. Endorse into Delaware with the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation), establish it as your home state and primary residence, and Delaware becomes your springboard: from there you can buy compact privileges into every other active member state without another full license. Your NPTE score transfers through the FSBPT; you do not re-sit the exam.
What changes, California → Delaware
| California (current) | Delaware (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | PT Compact member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $450 (nonrefundable $300 application processing fee + $150 initial license fee (both required to obtain the license) = $450. A $49 fingerprint hard-card fee and the $50 CAL-JAM exam fee (paid to FSBPT) are separate. California is not a PT Compact state, so there is no compact-privilege fee.) | $193 ($193 Physical Therapist application fee per the Board fee schedule (the same application fee applies to reciprocity applicants); paid through the DELPROS online portal. The criminal background-check fee is separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) |
| Processing time | 6–7 weeks (the Board acknowledges receipt within 30 days and states a license is generally issued within 45 days (about 6-7 weeks) after all deficiencies are satisfied and scores are received) | The Board does not publish a processing timeframe for reciprocity applications. |
| Licensing authority | Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) | Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Delaware sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Delaware's current requirements on the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program (non-transitional DPT); foreign-educated applicants must submit an approved credential evaluation.
- NPTE scores sent to the Board directly from FSBPT or the original state of licensure.
- Complete two hours of training in ethics related to the practice of physical therapy.
- State of Delaware and FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check.
- License verification sent directly from every state or jurisdiction where you hold or have ever held a license.
- Current CPR certification (online-only courses are not accepted).
- Pay the fees ($193 ($193 Physical Therapist application fee per the Board fee schedule (the same application fee applies to reciprocity applicants); paid through the DELPROS online portal. The criminal background-check fee is separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)) and allow The Board does not publish a processing timeframe for reciprocity applications..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Delaware accept a California physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from California to Delaware by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation), verify your California license, and meet Delaware's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board directly by FSBPT or by the original state of licensure. Delaware has no state jurisprudence exam but requires two hours of training in physical therapy ethics..
Do I retake the NPTE moving from California to Delaware?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board directly by FSBPT or by the original state of licensure. Delaware has no state jurisprudence exam but requires two hours of training in physical therapy ethics..
What does the move cost?
$193 ($193 Physical Therapist application fee per the Board fee schedule (the same application fee applies to reciprocity applicants); paid through the DELPROS online portal. The criminal background-check fee is separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) ($193 Physical Therapist application fee per the Board fee schedule (the same application fee applies to reciprocity applicants); paid through the DELPROS online portal. The criminal background-check fee is separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).
How long will it take?
The Board does not publish a processing timeframe for reciprocity applications. — The Board does not publish a processing timeframe for reciprocity applications..
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Delaware DPR — Physical Therapist (New Therapist / reciprocity) requirements ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Delaware DPR — Board of Physical Therapy Fee Schedule ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PT Compact — member state map ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Physical Therapy Board of California — US-Educated PT/PTA Applicant (Endorsement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PTBC — Endorsement Application Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PTBC — Endorsement Examination Information (CAL-JAM) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]