Physical Therapy License from Illinois to Delaware: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation) ↗
A physical therapy license transfers from Illinois to Delaware by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation), verify your Illinois license, and meet Delaware's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board directly by FSBPT or by the original state of licensure. Delaware has no state jurisprudence exam but requires two hours of training in physical therapy ethics..
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Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
This direction has a payoff. Illinois is outside the active compact, so you have had no privileges to work with — but Delaware is an active member. Endorse into Delaware with the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation), establish it as your home state and primary residence, and Delaware 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, Illinois → Delaware
| Illinois (current) | Delaware (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | PT Compact member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $100 (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1340.57(a)(1) sets the application fee for a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant license at $100. The separate examination-eligibility fee in that subsection applies only to examination applicants, not endorsement applicants. Renewal is calculated at $30 per year.) | $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.) |
| Processing time | neither IDFPR nor 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1340 publishes a processing timeframe for endorsement applications | The Board does not publish a processing timeframe for reciprocity applications. |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation (Illinois Physical Therapy Board) | Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Delaware sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Delaware's current requirements on the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program (non-transitional DPT); foreign-educated applicants must submit an approved credential evaluation.
- NPTE scores sent to the Board directly from FSBPT or the original state of licensure.
- Complete two hours of training in ethics related to the practice of physical therapy.
- State of Delaware and FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check.
- License verification sent directly from every state or jurisdiction where you hold or have ever held a license.
- Current CPR certification (online-only courses are not accepted).
- Pay the fees ($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.)) and allow The Board does not publish a processing timeframe for reciprocity applications..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Delaware accept a Illinois physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from Illinois to Delaware by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers (Division of Professional Regulation), verify your Illinois license, and meet Delaware's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board directly by FSBPT or by the original state of licensure. Delaware has no state jurisprudence exam but requires two hours of training in physical therapy ethics..
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Illinois to Delaware?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board directly by FSBPT or by the original state of licensure. Delaware has no state jurisprudence exam but requires two hours of training in physical therapy ethics..
What does the move cost?
$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.) ($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.).
How long will it take?
The Board does not publish a processing timeframe for reciprocity applications. — The Board does not publish a processing timeframe for reciprocity applications..
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- 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)
- IDFPR — Physical Therapy profession page (CORE applications, endorsement link, license look-up) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- IDFPR — Qualifications for Licensure: Physical Therapist (070), effective 03/2026 ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code Part 1340 — Illinois Physical Therapy Act rules (Sec. 1340.50 Endorsement, Sec. 1340.57 Fees) ↗ (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]