Physical Therapy License from Colorado to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) ↗
Yes — both Colorado and Washington are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Colorado is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Washington now; if you are moving your residence to Washington, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Washington your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
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Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
Both Colorado and Washington are active PT Compact members, so this is a privilege move, not a license move. If Colorado is your home state and primary residence and your license there is active, you do not apply to the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) — you buy a Washington compact privilege through the commission and practice on it, with your Colorado license staying in place. Two caveats worth planning around: Washington may require its jurisprudence exam before the privilege issues, and the privilege lapses the moment your Colorado license does. If you are genuinely relocating to Washington rather than working there temporarily, the privilege model doesn't fit — you would change your home state by endorsing into Washington.
What changes, Colorado → Washington
| Colorado (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | PT Compact member — multistate license honored | PT Compact member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | The fee is set administratively by the DORA Director (C.R.S. 12-285-110 provides for 'a fee in an amount determined by the director') and is not stated in the rule; the DORA/DPO fee schedule could not be verified on an accessible official page because dpo.colorado.gov blocks automated access. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee. | $80 (original application fee for a physical therapist under WAC 246-915-990 (PTA initial application is $75); active license renewal is $100 annually. Fingerprint/background-check surcharges are separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) |
| Processing time | The Division of Professions and Occupations publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications on an accessible page. | the Department publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications; it warns only that delayed responses lengthen the wait. Military spouses may qualify for expedited processing. |
| Licensing authority | Colorado State Physical Therapy Board (Division of Professions and Occupations, DORA) | Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Washington sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing.
- If you are moving your primary residence to Washington: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) when you move.
- Declare Washington as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Washington's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
- Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington accept a Colorado physical therapy license?
Yes — both Colorado and Washington are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Colorado is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Washington now; if you are moving your residence to Washington, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Washington your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Colorado to Washington?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Department by the exam host (FSBPT Score Transfer Service). Washington additionally requires out-of-state applicants to pass the Washington PT jurisprudence exam..
What does the move cost?
If you are buying a Washington compact privilege to work while living in Colorado: the commission's uniform fee plus Washington's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full Washington license by endorsement: $80 (original application fee for a physical therapist under WAC 246-915-990 (PTA initial application is $75); active license renewal is $100 annually. Fingerprint/background-check surcharges are separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) (original application fee for a physical therapist under WAC 246-915-990 (PTA initial application is $75); active license renewal is $100 annually. Fingerprint/background-check surcharges are separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).
How long will it take?
A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any Washington jurisprudence exam are cleared — usually faster than a full license. A relocation endorsement runs the Department publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications; it warns only that delayed responses lengthen the wait. Military spouses may qualify for expedited processing. (the Department publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications; it warns only that delayed responses lengthen the wait. Military spouses may qualify for expedited processing.).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- WA DOH - PT/PTA Licensing Information ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- WA DOH - Substantially Equivalent States (PT) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- WAC 246-915-990 - Physical therapist fees ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact - member state map ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact - how to get privileges (state fee and jurisprudence table) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Colorado State Physical Therapy Board — Licensure Rules 4 CCR 732-1.5 (Cornell LII reproduction of the official regulation) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- C.R.S. 12-285-112 — Licensure by endorsement (Colorado Revised Statutes) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- C.R.S. 12-285-110 — Licensure by examination; fee set by the director ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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