Physical Therapy License from Louisiana to California: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) ↗
A physical therapy license transfers from Louisiana to California by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs), verify your Louisiana license, and meet California's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the Federation electronically submits the applicant's NPTE Score Transfer Report to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. California additionally requires passing the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM), a 50-question law exam..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Moving from Louisiana into California leaves the compact behind: California has not joined the compact, so no Louisiana privilege reaches it. You transfer by licensure by endorsement with the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) — your NPTE score moves through the FSBPT rather than being retaken, and California adds its own jurisprudence exam and background check. Your Louisiana license and any privileges you hold elsewhere stay valid as long as your residence remains in Louisiana; file California's application before you rely on income there.
What changes, Louisiana → California
| Louisiana (current) | California (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | PT Compact member — multistate license honored | Licensure by endorsement |
| Application fee | $250 (PT license application fee per LAC 46:LIV §501, paid by domestic cashier's check or money order only (personal checks are returned). The $95 'compact state fee' in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the reciprocity application fee.) | $450 (nonrefundable $300 application processing fee + $150 initial license fee (both required to obtain the license) = $450. A $49 fingerprint hard-card fee and the $50 CAL-JAM exam fee (paid to FSBPT) are separate. California is not a PT Compact state, so there is no compact-privilege fee.) |
| Processing time | the Board publishes no processing timeframe for reciprocity applications | 6–7 weeks (the Board acknowledges receipt within 30 days and states a license is generally issued within 45 days (about 6-7 weeks) after all deficiencies are satisfied and scores are received) |
| Licensing authority | Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners) | Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — California sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm California's current requirements on the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program.
- Already hold a PT license in another U.S. jurisdiction (apply via the endorsement pathway).
- Pass the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM).
- Fingerprint/background check through the California DOJ and FBI (Live Scan in-state, or fingerprint hard cards for out-of-state applicants).
- Submit license and exam verification from every other jurisdiction where licensed.
- Pay the fees ($450 (nonrefundable $300 application processing fee + $150 initial license fee (both required to obtain the license) = $450. A $49 fingerprint hard-card fee and the $50 CAL-JAM exam fee (paid to FSBPT) are separate. California is not a PT Compact state, so there is no compact-privilege fee.)) and allow 6–7 weeks (the Board acknowledges receipt within 30 days and states a license is generally issued within 45 days (about 6-7 weeks) after all deficiencies are satisfied and scores are received).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does California accept a Louisiana physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from Louisiana to California by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Physical Therapy Board of California (Department of Consumer Affairs), verify your Louisiana license, and meet California's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the Federation electronically submits the applicant's NPTE Score Transfer Report to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. California additionally requires passing the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM), a 50-question law exam..
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Louisiana to California?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the Federation electronically submits the applicant's NPTE Score Transfer Report to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. California additionally requires passing the California Jurisprudence Assessment Module (CAL-JAM), a 50-question law exam..
What does the move cost?
$450 (nonrefundable $300 application processing fee + $150 initial license fee (both required to obtain the license) = $450. A $49 fingerprint hard-card fee and the $50 CAL-JAM exam fee (paid to FSBPT) are separate. California is not a PT Compact state, so there is no compact-privilege fee.) (nonrefundable $300 application processing fee + $150 initial license fee (both required to obtain the license) = $450. A $49 fingerprint hard-card fee and the $50 CAL-JAM exam fee (paid to FSBPT) are separate. California is not a PT Compact state, so there is no compact-privilege fee.).
How long will it take?
6–7 weeks (the Board acknowledges receipt within 30 days and states a license is generally issued within 45 days (about 6-7 weeks) after all deficiencies are satisfied and scores are received) — the Board acknowledges receipt within 30 days and states a license is generally issued within 45 days (about 6-7 weeks) after all deficiencies are satisfied and scores are received.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Physical Therapy Board of California — US-Educated PT/PTA Applicant (Endorsement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PTBC — Endorsement Application Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PTBC — Endorsement Examination Information (CAL-JAM) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LAC 46:LIV §501 — Louisiana physical therapy fees (Cornell LII) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LAC 46:LIV §151 — Application (jurisprudence exam + background check) (Cornell LII) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Louisiana PT Board — Reciprocity for PTs and PTAs (Non-Foreign Educated) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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