Transfer Your Physical Therapy License to Kansas: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Kansas State Board of Healing Arts ↗
Kansas is an active PT Compact member, which opens two doors. If your home state is also a compact member and you hold an active license there, you can buy a Kansas compact privilege through the commission — a practice authorization, not a Kansas license — after meeting any Kansas jurisprudence requirement. If you are relocating to Kansas, or your home state is not a member, you apply to the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts for licensure by endorsement instead: $80 ('application based on certificate of prior examination' (endorsement) fee per K.A.R. 100-29-7; + ~$57 KBI fingerprint-based background-check fee (in notes, not the range). The $65 'compact privilege' fee in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the endorsement fee.), with your NPTE score transferred through the FSBPT rather than retaken.
Moving to Kansas from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
PT Compact member — multistate license honored
Whether Kansas costs you a full license or just a privilege depends on what you are actually doing. Working in Kansas while your license and residence stay in another member state — a travel assignment, a satellite clinic, telehealth across the line — means buying a Kansas compact privilege and keeping your home license; Kansas charges no full-license fee for that path, though it may require its jurisprudence exam first. Relocating to Kansas is the other case: your residence changes, Kansas becomes your home state, and that is licensure by endorsement with the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, after which Kansas can anchor privileges of its own.
Kansas is an ACTIVE PT Compact member; the state PT Compact privilege fee is $65 (K.A.R. 100-29-7), distinct from the $80 endorsement application fee. Endorsement = 'application based on certificate of prior examination' at $80. Effective Dec 1, all new PT/PTA applicants must complete a KBI fingerprint-based background check (~$57). The KS JAM is NOT an endorsement prerequisite (only renewal odd-years + compact). Board (ksbha.ks.gov) blocks automated fetches; fee verified in the K.A.R. via Cornell LII and jurisprudence scope via FSBPT.
Kansas requirements at a glance
| Exam | NPTE is not retaken; the passing score transfers via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. Kansas does NOT require a jurisprudence exam for initial licensure by endorsement — the Kansas Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) applies only to biennial renewal in odd-numbered years and to PT Compact privileges (per FSBPT). |
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| Additional requirements |
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| Fees | $80 ('application based on certificate of prior examination' (endorsement) fee per K.A.R. 100-29-7; + ~$57 KBI fingerprint-based background-check fee (in notes, not the range). The $65 'compact privilege' fee in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the endorsement fee.) |
| Processing time | the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications |
Step by step
- Confirm Kansas's current requirements on the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program.
- Hold a valid, unencumbered license from another state (application based on certificate of prior licensure/examination).
- Pass the NPTE; score transferred to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service.
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the FBI.
- Pay the fees ($80 ('application based on certificate of prior examination' (endorsement) fee per K.A.R. 100-29-7; + ~$57 KBI fingerprint-based background-check fee (in notes, not the range). The $65 'compact privilege' fee in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the endorsement fee.)) and allow the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Kansas:
All 42 origin states
Frequently asked questions
Does my physical therapy license transfer to Kansas?
Kansas is an active PT Compact member, which opens two doors. If your home state is also a compact member and you hold an active license there, you can buy a Kansas compact privilege through the commission — a practice authorization, not a Kansas license — after meeting any Kansas jurisprudence requirement. If you are relocating to Kansas, or your home state is not a member, you apply to the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts for licensure by endorsement instead: $80 ('application based on certificate of prior examination' (endorsement) fee per K.A.R. 100-29-7; + ~$57 KBI fingerprint-based background-check fee (in notes, not the range). The $65 'compact privilege' fee in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the endorsement fee.), with your NPTE score transferred through the FSBPT rather than retaken.
Do I have to retake the NPTE to get licensed in Kansas?
No. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score transfers via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. Kansas does NOT require a jurisprudence exam for initial licensure by endorsement — the Kansas Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) applies only to biennial renewal in odd-numbered years and to PT Compact privileges (per FSBPT).. No state requires a second NPTE.
How much does it cost to transfer a PT license to Kansas by endorsement?
$80 ('application based on certificate of prior examination' (endorsement) fee per K.A.R. 100-29-7; + ~$57 KBI fingerprint-based background-check fee (in notes, not the range). The $65 'compact privilege' fee in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the endorsement fee.) ('application based on certificate of prior examination' (endorsement) fee per K.A.R. 100-29-7; + ~$57 KBI fingerprint-based background-check fee (in notes, not the range). The $65 'compact privilege' fee in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the endorsement fee.).
How long does Kansas take to process an endorsement application?
the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications — the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications.
Is Kansas in the PT Compact?
Yes — Kansas is an active member as of 2026-07-21. A PT or PTA whose home state is also a member can buy a Kansas compact privilege instead of a full license; relocating to Kansas still requires licensure by endorsement.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- K.A.R. 100-29-7 — Kansas physical therapist fees (Cornell LII) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- FSBPT — Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM), Kansas ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]