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LicenseReciprocity

Physical Therapy License from California to New Jersey: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) ↗

A physical therapy license transfers from California to New Jersey by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs), verify your California license, and meet New Jersey's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score moves through FSBPT. New Jersey also requires every applicant - examination, endorsement, and compact privilege alike - to pass the New Jersey Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) hosted by FSBPT..

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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 New Jersey is an active member. Endorse into New Jersey with the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs), establish it as your home state and primary residence, and New Jersey 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 → New Jersey

Side-by-side: California vs New Jersey (Physical Therapy (PT/PTA)), verified 2026-08-07
California (current)New Jersey (destination)
PT Compact statusLicensure by endorsementPT 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.)$125 (non-refundable application fee. A separate initial license fee is billed only after the board finds you eligible: $110 for a PT in the first year of the biennial period (February of an even year through January of an odd year) or $55 in the second year; PTA is $100/$50. + the applicant's cost of the fingerprint-based criminal history background check. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)
Processing time6–7 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)5–9 weeks (board-published phases: Phase I initial review 2-3 weeks, Phase II background-check results 2-4 weeks, Phase III approval 1-2 weeks; add 4-6 weeks if criminal history or extra board review is involved, plus 10-15 business days for the license to arrive after the license fee is paid)
Licensing authorityPhysical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs)New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — New Jersey sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm New Jersey's current requirements on the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Pass the New Jersey Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) through FSBPT and upload proof of completion.
  5. Arrange for license verification (certificate of good standing) to be sent directly from every state board where you hold or have held a license, including expired or inactive ones.
  6. Complete a fingerprint-based criminal history background check after the board reviews your application.
  7. Have an official transcript showing the conferred degree sent directly to the board by your school.
  8. Apply through the online MyLicense portal (contact the board first if you have no Social Security number).
  9. Pay the fees ($125 (non-refundable application fee. A separate initial license fee is billed only after the board finds you eligible: $110 for a PT in the first year of the biennial period (February of an even year through January of an odd year) or $55 in the second year; PTA is $100/$50. + the applicant's cost of the fingerprint-based criminal history background check. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)) and allow 5–9 weeks (board-published phases: Phase I initial review 2-3 weeks, Phase II background-check results 2-4 weeks, Phase III approval 1-2 weeks; add 4-6 weeks if criminal history or extra board review is involved, plus 10-15 business days for the license to arrive after the license fee is paid).

Official links

New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) ↗New Jersey application ↗License verification ↗Physical Therapy Licensure Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: New Jersey → CaliforniaPhysical Therapy in CaliforniaPhysical Therapy in New JerseyAll physical therapy statesThe PT Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does New Jersey accept a California physical therapy license?

A physical therapy license transfers from California to New Jersey by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs), verify your California license, and meet New Jersey's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score moves through FSBPT. New Jersey also requires every applicant - examination, endorsement, and compact privilege alike - to pass the New Jersey Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) hosted by FSBPT..

Do I retake the NPTE moving from California to New Jersey?

No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score moves through FSBPT. New Jersey also requires every applicant - examination, endorsement, and compact privilege alike - to pass the New Jersey Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) hosted by FSBPT..

What does the move cost?

$125 (non-refundable application fee. A separate initial license fee is billed only after the board finds you eligible: $110 for a PT in the first year of the biennial period (February of an even year through January of an odd year) or $55 in the second year; PTA is $100/$50. + the applicant's cost of the fingerprint-based criminal history background check. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) (non-refundable application fee. A separate initial license fee is billed only after the board finds you eligible: $110 for a PT in the first year of the biennial period (February of an even year through January of an odd year) or $55 in the second year; PTA is $100/$50. + the applicant's cost of the fingerprint-based criminal history background check. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).

How long will it take?

5–9 weeks (board-published phases: Phase I initial review 2-3 weeks, Phase II background-check results 2-4 weeks, Phase III approval 1-2 weeks; add 4-6 weeks if criminal history or extra board review is involved, plus 10-15 business days for the license to arrive after the license fee is paid) — board-published phases: Phase I initial review 2-3 weeks, Phase II background-check results 2-4 weeks, Phase III approval 1-2 weeks; add 4-6 weeks if criminal history or extra board review is involved, plus 10-15 business days for the license to arrive after the license fee is paid.

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07

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