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LicenseReciprocity

Physical Therapy License from Illinois to Maryland: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) ↗

A physical therapy license transfers from Illinois to Maryland by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health), verify your Illinois license, and meet Maryland's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; you request FSBPT to send your exam score to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, and a passing score is required for full licensure. Maryland additionally requires passing the Maryland Jurisprudence Assessment Module (MD JAM) with a score of 90% or better..

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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 Maryland is an active member. Endorse into Maryland with the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health), establish it as your home state and primary residence, and Maryland 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 → Maryland

Side-by-side: Illinois vs Maryland (Physical Therapy (PT/PTA)), verified 2026-08-07
Illinois (current)Maryland (destination)
PT Compact statusLicensure by endorsementPT 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.)$150 (non-refundable $150 application fee for Licensure by Endorsement (both U.S.-graduate and foreign-educated tracks), payable by credit or debit card only. The MD JAM fee is paid separately to FSBPT and the criminal history records check is paid separately to DPSCS. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)
Processing timeneither IDFPR nor 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1340 publishes a processing timeframe for endorsement applications~14 weeks (the Board states the application process can take up to 60 business days (~12 weeks) because of response times from outside organizations, plus up to 10 business days (~2 weeks) to complete full licensure once all criteria are met; no minimum is published. Only Licensure by Examination applicants may request a temporary 90-day license.)
Licensing authorityIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation (Illinois Physical Therapy Board)Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Maryland sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm Maryland's current requirements on the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. File through the Board's online applicant portal and pay the non-refundable fee by credit or debit card.
  5. Complete a criminal history records check through the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
  6. Take and pass the Maryland Jurisprudence Assessment Module (MD JAM) with a score of 90% or better.
  7. Have FSBPT send your NPTE score directly to the Board.
  8. Have your physical therapy program send an official transcript directly to the Board.
  9. Submit a head-and-shoulder photograph, a copy of your current license, and official verification of that license.
  10. Pay the fees ($150 (non-refundable $150 application fee for Licensure by Endorsement (both U.S.-graduate and foreign-educated tracks), payable by credit or debit card only. The MD JAM fee is paid separately to FSBPT and the criminal history records check is paid separately to DPSCS. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)) and allow ~14 weeks (the Board states the application process can take up to 60 business days (~12 weeks) because of response times from outside organizations, plus up to 10 business days (~2 weeks) to complete full licensure once all criteria are met; no minimum is published. Only Licensure by Examination applicants may request a temporary 90-day license.).

Official links

Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) ↗Maryland application ↗License verification ↗Physical Therapy Licensure Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Maryland → IllinoisPhysical Therapy in IllinoisPhysical Therapy in MarylandAll physical therapy statesThe PT Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Maryland accept a Illinois physical therapy license?

A physical therapy license transfers from Illinois to Maryland by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health), verify your Illinois license, and meet Maryland's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; you request FSBPT to send your exam score to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, and a passing score is required for full licensure. Maryland additionally requires passing the Maryland Jurisprudence Assessment Module (MD JAM) with a score of 90% or better..

Do I retake the NPTE moving from Illinois to Maryland?

No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; you request FSBPT to send your exam score to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, and a passing score is required for full licensure. Maryland additionally requires passing the Maryland Jurisprudence Assessment Module (MD JAM) with a score of 90% or better..

What does the move cost?

$150 (non-refundable $150 application fee for Licensure by Endorsement (both U.S.-graduate and foreign-educated tracks), payable by credit or debit card only. The MD JAM fee is paid separately to FSBPT and the criminal history records check is paid separately to DPSCS. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) (non-refundable $150 application fee for Licensure by Endorsement (both U.S.-graduate and foreign-educated tracks), payable by credit or debit card only. The MD JAM fee is paid separately to FSBPT and the criminal history records check is paid separately to DPSCS. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).

How long will it take?

~14 weeks (the Board states the application process can take up to 60 business days (~12 weeks) because of response times from outside organizations, plus up to 10 business days (~2 weeks) to complete full licensure once all criteria are met; no minimum is published. Only Licensure by Examination applicants may request a temporary 90-day license.) — the Board states the application process can take up to 60 business days (~12 weeks) because of response times from outside organizations, plus up to 10 business days (~2 weeks) to complete full licensure once all criteria are met; no minimum is published. Only Licensure by Examination applicants may request a temporary 90-day license..

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 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]