Physical Therapy License from Illinois to Hawaii: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) ↗
A physical therapy license transfers from Illinois to Hawaii by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division), verify your Illinois license, and meet Hawaii's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; Hawaii licenses out-of-state applicants under its 'exam waiver' provision once the FSBPT Score Transfer Service sends the passing score directly to the Board. Hawaii has no separate state jurisprudence exam for licensure..
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Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Neither Illinois nor Hawaii is an active member of the PT Compact, so this is a straightforward endorsement move: the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) verifies your Illinois license, your NPTE score transfers through the FSBPT, and you complete Hawaii's jurisprudence exam and background check. Nothing about Illinois speeds up or slows down Hawaii's standard out-of-state process.
What changes, Illinois → Hawaii
| Illinois (current) | Hawaii (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | Licensure by endorsement |
| 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.) | $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.) |
| Processing time | neither IDFPR nor 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1340 publishes a processing timeframe for endorsement applications | 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)) |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation (Illinois Physical Therapy Board) | Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Hawaii sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Hawaii's current requirements on the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Have a certified transcript sent directly to the Board from your CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program.
- Request the FSBPT Score Transfer Service to forward your NPTE score directly to the Board.
- Have every state or territory where you hold or held a license complete the Board's Verification of License form and send it directly.
- Provide a Social Security Number and be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work in the United States.
- Mail the completed application and fees to the Board of Physical Therapy, DCCA-PVL Licensing Branch.
- Pay the fees ($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.)) and allow 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)).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Hawaii accept a Illinois physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from Illinois to Hawaii by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division), verify your Illinois license, and meet Hawaii's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; Hawaii licenses out-of-state applicants under its 'exam waiver' provision once the FSBPT Score Transfer Service sends the passing score directly to the Board. Hawaii has no separate state jurisprudence exam for licensure..
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Illinois to Hawaii?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; Hawaii licenses out-of-state applicants under its 'exam waiver' provision once the FSBPT Score Transfer Service sends the passing score directly to the Board. Hawaii has no separate state jurisprudence exam for licensure..
What does the move cost?
$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.) (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.).
How long will it take?
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)) — 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)).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- 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)
- 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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