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LicenseReciprocity

Physical Therapy License from Michigan to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) ↗

A physical therapy license transfers from Michigan to Washington by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health), verify your Michigan license, and meet Washington's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Department by the exam host (FSBPT Score Transfer Service). Washington additionally requires out-of-state applicants to pass the Washington PT jurisprudence exam..

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

This direction has a payoff. Michigan is outside the active compact, so you have had no privileges to work with — but Washington is an active member. Endorse into Washington with the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health), establish it as your home state and primary residence, and Washington becomes your springboard: from there you can buy compact privileges into every other active member state without another full license. Your NPTE score transfers through the FSBPT; you do not re-sit the exam.

What changes, Michigan → Washington

Side-by-side: Michigan vs Washington (Physical Therapy (PT/PTA)), verified 2026-08-07
Michigan (current)Washington (destination)
PT Compact statusPT Compact enacted — not yet issuingPT Compact member — multistate license honored
Application fee$319.75 (single combined charge labelled 'Application Fee + 3 year license fee', identical for a Physical Therapist license by examination OR by endorsement; payable only by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. LARA does not publish the application/license split anywhere on its live site, so the two components are not separately stated. The PSI jurisprudence exam fee and criminal background check costs are billed separately and are not published by LARA. Michigan licenses on a 3-year cycle; renewal is $297.75 and relicensure $339.75.)$80 (original application fee for a physical therapist under WAC 246-915-990 (PTA initial application is $75); active license renewal is $100 annually. Fingerprint/background-check surcharges are separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)
Processing timeLARA's Physical Therapist Licensing Guide states no processing timeframe for endorsement applicationsthe Department publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications; it warns only that delayed responses lengthen the wait. Military spouses may qualify for expedited processing.
Licensing authorityMichigan Board of Physical Therapy (Bureau of Professional Licensing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs)Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health)

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Washington sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

  1. Confirm Washington's current requirements on the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
  4. Graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program, with official transcripts sent directly from the school.
  5. Pass the Washington PT jurisprudence exam.
  6. Apply from a state deemed substantially equivalent and hold that credential for at least two years.
  7. Submit an employer verification form documenting at least 200 hours worked in the physical therapy profession in the last two years.
  8. Complete the required background screening, including fingerprint-based Washington State Patrol and FBI checks where applicable.
  9. Complete the one-time three-hour suicide prevention training required of PTs and PTAs.
  10. Pay the fees ($80 (original application fee for a physical therapist under WAC 246-915-990 (PTA initial application is $75); active license renewal is $100 annually. Fingerprint/background-check surcharges are separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)) and allow the Department publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications; it warns only that delayed responses lengthen the wait. Military spouses may qualify for expedited processing..

Official links

Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) ↗Washington application ↗Physical Therapy Licensure Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Washington → MichiganPhysical Therapy in MichiganPhysical Therapy in WashingtonAll physical therapy statesThe PT Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Washington accept a Michigan physical therapy license?

A physical therapy license transfers from Michigan to Washington by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health), verify your Michigan license, and meet Washington's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Department by the exam host (FSBPT Score Transfer Service). Washington additionally requires out-of-state applicants to pass the Washington PT jurisprudence exam..

Do I retake the NPTE moving from Michigan to Washington?

No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Department by the exam host (FSBPT Score Transfer Service). Washington additionally requires out-of-state applicants to pass the Washington PT jurisprudence exam..

What does the move cost?

$80 (original application fee for a physical therapist under WAC 246-915-990 (PTA initial application is $75); active license renewal is $100 annually. Fingerprint/background-check surcharges are separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) (original application fee for a physical therapist under WAC 246-915-990 (PTA initial application is $75); active license renewal is $100 annually. Fingerprint/background-check surcharges are separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).

How long will it take?

the Department publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications; it warns only that delayed responses lengthen the wait. Military spouses may qualify for expedited processing. — the Department publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications; it warns only that delayed responses lengthen the wait. Military spouses may qualify for expedited processing..

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 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]