Physical Therapy License from Maryland to Alabama: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Yes, for working in Alabama — both Maryland and Alabama are active members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Maryland is your primary state of residence and your Maryland license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Alabama without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Alabama, you will need an Alabama license once Alabama becomes your home state.
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Verdict
Compact privilege — work there without a second license
Both Maryland and Alabama are active PT Compact members, so this is a privilege move, not a license move. If Maryland is your home state and primary residence and your license there is active, you do not apply to the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — you buy an Alabama compact privilege through the commission and practice on it, with your Maryland license staying in place. Two caveats worth planning around: Alabama may require its jurisprudence exam before the privilege issues, and the privilege lapses the moment your Maryland license does. If you are genuinely relocating to Alabama rather than working there temporarily, the privilege model doesn't fit — you would change your home state by endorsing into Alabama.
What changes, Maryland → Alabama
| Maryland (current) | Alabama (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement · PT Compact privilege (not a license) | Licensure by endorsement · PT Compact privilege (not a license) |
| Application fee | $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.) | $100 (online application fee for a PT (same fee for endorsement or exam) per the Board fee schedule; annual PT renewal is $130; a fingerprint-based background-check fee applies separately. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) |
| Processing time | up to 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 publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications |
| Licensing authority | Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) | Alabama Board of Physical Therapy |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Alabama sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your home-state license is active and unencumbered and that your home state is your primary state of residence.
- To work in Alabama: purchase a PT Compact privilege for Alabama through the compact commission and complete any Alabama jurisprudence requirement.
- Keep your home-state license active — every privilege lapses with it.
- If you are moving your primary residence to Alabama: apply for an Alabama license with the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy; a privilege does not follow you when your home state changes.
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Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Alabama accept a Maryland physical therapy license?
Yes, for working in Alabama — both Maryland and Alabama are active members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Maryland is your primary state of residence and your Maryland license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Alabama without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Alabama, you will need an Alabama license once Alabama becomes your home state.
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Maryland to Alabama?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. Alabama also requires passing the Alabama Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Examination (AL JAM) with at least 80% correct.
What does the move cost?
If you are buying an Alabama compact privilege to work while living in Maryland: the commission's uniform fee plus Alabama's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full Alabama license by endorsement: $100 (online application fee for a PT (same fee for endorsement or exam) per the Board fee schedule; annual PT renewal is $130; a fingerprint-based background-check fee applies separately. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).
How long will it take?
A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any Alabama jurisprudence exam are cleared — usually faster than a full license. A relocation endorsement runs the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — Licensing Requirements ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — Fee Schedule ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PT Compact — member states map ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners — Licensing (Licensure by Endorsement requirements, fees, processing time) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners — Physical Therapy Compact Privilege ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact — Compact Privilege Fee, Jurisprudence and Waiver Table ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact — States by Category ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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