Physical Therapy License from Illinois to New York: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: New York State Board for Physical Therapy (NYSED Office of the Professions) ↗
A physical therapy license transfers from Illinois to New York by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the New York State Board for Physical Therapy (NYSED Office of the Professions), verify your Illinois license, and meet New York's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; scores are transferred from FSBPT to the New York State Education Department, which then reviews them to decide whether they are satisfactory. New York has no state jurisprudence or law exam for physical therapists..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Neither Illinois nor New York is an active member of the PT Compact, so this is a straightforward endorsement move: the New York State Board for Physical Therapy (NYSED Office of the Professions) verifies your Illinois license, your NPTE score transfers through the FSBPT, and you complete New York's jurisprudence exam and background check. Nothing about Illinois speeds up or slows down New York's standard out-of-state process.
What changes, Illinois → New York
| Illinois (current) | New York (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.) | $294 (combined fee for licensure and first registration as a physical therapist; the same $294 applies whether you qualify by endorsement or by the standard route (PTA is $103). An optional limited permit costs a further $70, is non-refundable, and is valid 6 months. New York is not a PT Compact state, so no privilege fee exists.) |
| Processing time | neither IDFPR nor 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1340 publishes a processing timeframe for endorsement applications | the Office of the Professions publishes no processing timeframe for physical therapy applications |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation (Illinois Physical Therapy Board) | New York State Board for Physical Therapy (NYSED Office of the Professions) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New York sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm New York's current requirements on the New York State Board for Physical Therapy (NYSED Office of the Professions) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the New York State Board for Physical Therapy (NYSED Office of the Professions) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Be at least 21 years old and of good moral character as determined by the Department.
- File the Application for Licensure (Form 1) with the $294 licensure and first-registration fee.
- Have license verification (Form 3) sent directly from every jurisdiction in which you are or have been licensed.
- For the endorsement route, document at least 3 years of acceptable physical therapy practice in the 7 years immediately preceding the application, using Form 4 (supervisors) and Form 4A (colleague verification).
- Have education verified on Form 2 by your CAPTE-accredited program, or through an approved credentials verification organization if your program was not CAPTE-accredited.
- Pay the fees ($294 (combined fee for licensure and first registration as a physical therapist; the same $294 applies whether you qualify by endorsement or by the standard route (PTA is $103). An optional limited permit costs a further $70, is non-refundable, and is valid 6 months. New York is not a PT Compact state, so no privilege fee exists.)) and allow the Office of the Professions publishes no processing timeframe for physical therapy applications.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New York accept a Illinois physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from Illinois to New York by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the New York State Board for Physical Therapy (NYSED Office of the Professions), verify your Illinois license, and meet New York's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; scores are transferred from FSBPT to the New York State Education Department, which then reviews them to decide whether they are satisfactory. New York has no state jurisprudence or law exam for physical therapists..
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Illinois to New York?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; scores are transferred from FSBPT to the New York State Education Department, which then reviews them to decide whether they are satisfactory. New York has no state jurisprudence or law exam for physical therapists..
What does the move cost?
$294 (combined fee for licensure and first registration as a physical therapist; the same $294 applies whether you qualify by endorsement or by the standard route (PTA is $103). An optional limited permit costs a further $70, is non-refundable, and is valid 6 months. New York is not a PT Compact state, so no privilege fee exists.) (combined fee for licensure and first registration as a physical therapist; the same $294 applies whether you qualify by endorsement or by the standard route (PTA is $103). An optional limited permit costs a further $70, is non-refundable, and is valid 6 months. New York is not a PT Compact state, so no privilege fee exists.).
How long will it take?
the Office of the Professions publishes no processing timeframe for physical therapy applications — the Office of the Professions publishes no processing timeframe for physical therapy applications.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- NYSED Office of the Professions - Physical Therapy License Requirements (fees, licensure by endorsement, limited permits) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- NYSED Office of the Professions - Physical Therapy License Application Forms ↗ (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)
- 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]