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LicenseReciprocity

Physical Therapy License from Montana to Maryland: Does It Transfer? (2026)

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

Yes — both Montana and Maryland are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Montana is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Maryland now; if you are moving your residence to Maryland, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Maryland your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.

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Verdict

Compact multistate — already covered

Both Montana and Maryland are active PT Compact members, so this is a privilege move, not a license move. If Montana is your home state and primary residence and your license there is active, you do not apply to the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) — you buy a Maryland compact privilege through the commission and practice on it, with your Montana license staying in place. Two caveats worth planning around: Maryland may require its jurisprudence exam before the privilege issues, and the privilege lapses the moment your Montana license does. If you are genuinely relocating to Maryland rather than working there temporarily, the privilege model doesn't fit — you would change your home state by endorsing into Maryland.

What changes, Montana → Maryland

Side-by-side: Montana vs Maryland (Physical Therapy (PT/PTA)), verified 2026-08-07
Montana (current)Maryland (destination)
PT Compact statusPT Compact member — multistate license honoredPT Compact member — multistate license honored
Application fee$225 ($100.00 physical therapist application fee (all applicants) + $125.00 out-of-state licence application fee, per the Board's application form (rev. 2025-03-14) and licensing checklist. The department also charges an extra $5.00 litigation-fund fee to applicants and licensees of qualifying boards from 1 July 2025 (HB 227). Jurisprudence re-examination is $25 per retake and a pre-exam temporary licence is $100. Fingerprint background-check costs are separate. This is NOT the PT Compact privilege 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.)
Processing timethe Board publishes no processing timeframe for out-of-state applications; it notes only that if all other requirements are met it can issue a provisional licence with a reservation of rights, valid for 60 days, while outstanding licence verifications are completed~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.)
Licensing authorityMontana Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals (formerly the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners), Department of Labor & IndustryMaryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health)

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

Step by step

  1. Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
  2. If you are moving your primary residence to Maryland: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) when you move.
  3. Declare Maryland as your new primary state of residence on that application.
  4. Complete Maryland's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
  5. Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).

Official links

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Does Maryland accept a Montana physical therapy license?

Yes — both Montana and Maryland are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Montana is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Maryland now; if you are moving your residence to Maryland, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Maryland your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.

Do I retake the NPTE moving from Montana to Maryland?

No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. 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..

What does the move cost?

If you are buying a Maryland compact privilege to work while living in Montana: the commission's uniform fee plus Maryland's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full Maryland license 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 will it take?

A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any Maryland jurisprudence exam are cleared — usually faster than a full license. A relocation endorsement runs ~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.).

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]