Physical Therapy License from Delaware to Louisiana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners) ↗
Yes — both Delaware and Louisiana are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Delaware is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Louisiana now; if you are moving your residence to Louisiana, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Louisiana your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
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Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
Both Delaware and Louisiana are active PT Compact members, so this is a privilege move, not a license move. If Delaware is your home state and primary residence and your license there is active, you do not apply to the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners) — you buy a Louisiana compact privilege through the commission and practice on it, with your Delaware license staying in place. Two caveats worth planning around: Louisiana may require its jurisprudence exam before the privilege issues, and the privilege lapses the moment your Delaware license does. If you are genuinely relocating to Louisiana rather than working there temporarily, the privilege model doesn't fit — you would change your home state by endorsing into Louisiana.
What changes, Delaware → Louisiana
| Delaware (current) | Louisiana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | PT Compact member — multistate license honored | PT Compact member — multistate license honored |
| Application 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.) | $250 (PT license application fee per LAC 46:LIV §501, paid by domestic cashier's check or money order only (personal checks are returned). The $95 'compact state fee' in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the reciprocity application fee.) |
| Processing time | The Board does not publish a processing timeframe for reciprocity applications. | the Board publishes no processing timeframe for reciprocity applications |
| Licensing authority | Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation) | Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Louisiana 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 Louisiana: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners) when you move.
- Declare Louisiana as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Louisiana'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 Louisiana accept a Delaware physical therapy license?
Yes — both Delaware and Louisiana are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Delaware is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Louisiana now; if you are moving your residence to Louisiana, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Louisiana your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Delaware to Louisiana?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score must be sent to the Board through the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. Louisiana also requires all applicants to pass the Board's free online jurisprudence exam (40 questions from the Practice Act and Rules, 75% to pass)..
What does the move cost?
If you are buying a Louisiana compact privilege to work while living in Delaware: the commission's uniform fee plus Louisiana's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full Louisiana license by endorsement: $250 (PT license application fee per LAC 46:LIV §501, paid by domestic cashier's check or money order only (personal checks are returned). The $95 'compact state fee' in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the reciprocity application fee.) (PT license application fee per LAC 46:LIV §501, paid by domestic cashier's check or money order only (personal checks are returned). The $95 'compact state fee' in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the reciprocity application fee.).
How long will it take?
A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any Louisiana jurisprudence exam are cleared — usually faster than a full license. A relocation endorsement runs the Board publishes no processing timeframe for reciprocity applications (the Board publishes no processing timeframe for reciprocity applications).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- LAC 46:LIV §501 — Louisiana physical therapy fees (Cornell LII) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LAC 46:LIV §151 — Application (jurisprudence exam + background check) (Cornell LII) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Louisiana PT Board — Reciprocity for PTs and PTAs (Non-Foreign Educated) ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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