Physical Therapy License from Hawaii to California: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) ↗
A physical therapy license transfers from Hawaii to California by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs), verify your Hawaii license, and meet California's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the Federation electronically submits the applicant's NPTE Score Transfer Report to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. California additionally requires passing the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM), a 50-question law exam..
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Neither Hawaii nor California is an active member of the PT Compact, so this is a straightforward endorsement move: the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) verifies your Hawaii license, your NPTE score transfers through the FSBPT, and you complete California's jurisprudence exam and background check. Nothing about Hawaii speeds up or slows down California's standard out-of-state process.
What changes, Hawaii → California
| Hawaii (current) | California (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | Licensure by endorsement |
| Application fee | $185–$300 (exam-waiver (endorsement) applicants pay a bundled total that depends on the licensing year: $185 if licensed in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $300 if licensed in an ODD-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $100 CRF + $65 half renewal). The $50 application fee is non-refundable. A temporary license costs an extra $50.) | $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.) |
| Processing time | the Board publishes no processing timeframe; it states only that an application is abandoned and destroyed if the license process is not completed within one year of filing (HAR 16-110-10(d)) | 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) |
| Licensing authority | Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) | Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — California sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm California's current requirements on the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program.
- Already hold a PT license in another U.S. jurisdiction (apply via the endorsement pathway).
- Pass the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM).
- Fingerprint/background check through the California DOJ and FBI (Live Scan in-state, or fingerprint hard cards for out-of-state applicants).
- Submit license and exam verification from every other jurisdiction where licensed.
- Pay the fees ($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.)) and allow 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).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does California accept a Hawaii physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from Hawaii to California by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs), verify your Hawaii license, and meet California's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the Federation electronically submits the applicant's NPTE Score Transfer Report to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. California additionally requires passing the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM), a 50-question law exam..
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Hawaii to California?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the Federation electronically submits the applicant's NPTE Score Transfer Report to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. California additionally requires passing the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM), a 50-question law exam..
What does the move cost?
$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.) (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.).
How long will it take?
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 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.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- 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)
- Hawaii DCCA — Board of Physical Therapy ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Hawaii DCCA — Physical Therapy Application Forms and Publications ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Hawaii DCCA — Physical Therapist License Application, Information/Requirements and Instructions (PT-02 0226) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact — States by Category ↗ (accessed 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]