Transfer Your Physical Therapy License to Maryland: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) ↗
Maryland 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 Maryland compact privilege through the commission — a practice authorization, not a Maryland license — after meeting any Maryland jurisprudence requirement. If you are relocating to Maryland, or your home state is not a member, you apply to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) for licensure by endorsement instead: $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.), with your NPTE score transferred through the FSBPT rather than retaken.
Moving to Maryland from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
PT Compact member — multistate license honored
Whether Maryland costs you a full license or just a privilege depends on what you are actually doing. Working in Maryland while your license and residence stay in another member state — a travel assignment, a satellite clinic, telehealth across the line — means buying a Maryland compact privilege and keeping your home license; Maryland charges no full-license fee for that path, though it may require its jurisprudence exam first. Relocating to Maryland is the other case: your residence changes, Maryland becomes your home state, and that is licensure by endorsement with the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health), after which Maryland can anchor privileges of its own.
Maryland is an ACTIVE PT Compact member, so a PT whose home state is also an active member can work in Maryland on a compact privilege instead of endorsing; the commission lists Maryland's privilege at $170 total ($125 state + $45 commission) and requires the MD JAM to be passed BEFORE applying for the privilege (initial only, not renewal). Compact privilege holders who want to perform dry needling in Maryland must separately register with the Board. Two Maryland-specific points for endorsement applicants: under Health Occupations Article 1-228 the Board may NOT require proof of lawful presence or a Social Security number as a condition of licensure, and applicants under the federal Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022 are prioritized. Endorsement applicants cannot obtain a temporary license — that is reserved for examination applicants.
Maryland requirements at a glance
| Exam | 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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| Additional requirements |
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| 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.) |
| Processing time | ~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.) |
Step by step
- Confirm Maryland's current requirements on the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- File through the Board's online applicant portal and pay the non-refundable fee by credit or debit card.
- Complete a criminal history records check through the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
- Take and pass the Maryland Jurisprudence Assessment Module (MD JAM) with a score of 90% or better.
- Have FSBPT send your NPTE score directly to the Board.
- Have your physical therapy program send an official transcript directly to the Board.
- Submit a head-and-shoulder photograph, a copy of your current license, and official verification of that license.
- 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
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Maryland:
All 42 origin states
Frequently asked questions
Does my physical therapy license transfer to Maryland?
Maryland 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 Maryland compact privilege through the commission — a practice authorization, not a Maryland license — after meeting any Maryland jurisprudence requirement. If you are relocating to Maryland, or your home state is not a member, you apply to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) for licensure by endorsement instead: $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.), with your NPTE score transferred through the FSBPT rather than retaken.
Do I have to retake the NPTE to get licensed in Maryland?
No. 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.. No state requires a second NPTE.
How much does it cost to transfer a PT license to Maryland by endorsement?
$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 does Maryland take to process an endorsement application?
~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..
Is Maryland in the PT Compact?
Yes — Maryland is an active member as of 2026-08-07. A PT or PTA whose home state is also a member can buy a Maryland compact privilege instead of a full license; relocating to Maryland still requires licensure by endorsement.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- 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 Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]