Physical Therapy License from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts license, your NPTE score transfers through the FSBPT, and you complete New York's jurisprudence exam and background check. Nothing about Massachusetts speeds up or slows down New York's standard out-of-state process.
What changes, Massachusetts → New York
| Massachusetts (current) | New York (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | Licensure by endorsement |
| Application fee | $226 (Physical Therapist Initial License by Reciprocity = $126.00 PCS vendor fee + $100.00 Board fee = $226.00, per the Board's published fee table. Fees are non-refundable and an additional processing fee may apply depending on payment method. Massachusetts is NOT a PT Compact state, so no compact privilege fee exists here.) | $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 | the Board publishes no processing timeframe for reciprocity applications; the initial application process is administered by its vendor, PCS | the Office of the Professions publishes no processing timeframe for physical therapy applications |
| Licensing authority | Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professions (Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, Department of Public Health) | 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 Massachusetts physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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)
- Mass.gov — Apply for a license from the Board of Allied Health Professionals (fee table + requirements; mass.gov blocks automated access, page read via Internet Archive snapshot 2026-04-15) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure — Fees and License Renewal Schedules for Allied Health Professionals (board code AH) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact — member state status map ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- FSBPT — NPTE Score Transfer Service ↗ (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]