Physical Therapy License from Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho 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..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Neither Idaho 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 Idaho license, your NPTE score transfers through the FSBPT, and you complete California's jurisprudence exam and background check. Nothing about Idaho speeds up or slows down California's standard out-of-state process.
What changes, Idaho → California
| Idaho (current) | California (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | Licensure by endorsement |
| Application fee | $50 (the endorsement checklist states a total of $50.00, made up of the $25.00 application fee plus the $25.00 licensure fee. The extra $20.00 NPTE registration fee applies only to applicants sitting for the exam through Idaho, not to endorsement applicants. Returned checks incur a $20 fee. IDAPA 24.13.01 Section 400 confirms fees are non-refundable but the current schedule is published on the application form rather than in rule.) | $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 for endorsement applications; it states only that incomplete applications delay licensure and that military applicants may qualify for expedited processing under Idaho Code 67-9401 to 67-9407 | 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 | Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses) | 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 Idaho physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho 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)
- Idaho DOPL — Physical Therapy Board (FAQ, including compact membership statement) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board — Application for Licensure (PT), endorsement checklist and fees ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- IDAPA 24.13.01 — Rules of the Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board ↗ (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]