Physical Therapy License from Florida to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) ↗
A physical therapy license transfers from Florida to Washington by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health), verify your Florida license, and meet Washington's endorsement requirements. 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..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
This direction has a payoff. Florida is outside the active compact, so you have had no privileges to work with — but Washington is an active member. Endorse into Washington with the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health), establish it as your home state and primary residence, and Washington 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, Florida → Washington
| Florida (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | PT Compact member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $180 ($180 total to the Board = $100 endorsement application fee + $75 initial license fee + $5 unlicensed-activity fee (FAC 64B17-2.001). A separate $90 FSBPT score-transfer fee and the electronic-fingerprint fee are additional. Florida is not a PT Compact state, so there is no compact privilege alternative.) | $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 | 2–3 weeks (The Board conducts initial review within 10 business days of receipt and issues the license within about 7 days once all requirements are met; this excludes time for NPTE score transfer, license verifications, and fingerprint results.) | 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 | Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice (Department of Health) | 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 Washington's current requirements on the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program, with official transcripts sent directly from the school.
- Pass the Washington PT jurisprudence exam.
- Apply from a state deemed substantially equivalent and hold that credential for at least two years.
- Submit an employer verification form documenting at least 200 hours worked in the physical therapy profession in the last two years.
- Complete the required background screening, including fingerprint-based Washington State Patrol and FBI checks where applicable.
- Complete the one-time three-hour suicide prevention training required of PTs and PTAs.
- Pay the fees ($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.)) and allow 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..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington accept a Florida physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from Florida to Washington by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health), verify your Florida license, and meet Washington's endorsement requirements. 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..
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Florida 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?
$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?
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)
- Florida Board of Physical Therapy — Physical Therapist (MOBILE endorsement) licensing ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Florida Board of Physical Therapy — Florida PT/PTA Laws and Rules Exam ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Fla. Stat. Ch. 486 (486.031, 486.081) — Physical Therapy Practice Act ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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