Physical Therapy License from New York to District of Columbia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health) ↗
A physical therapy license transfers from New York to District of Columbia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health), verify your New York license, and meet District of Columbia's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is verified through FSBPT (via the FSBPT ID on the NPTE score report). DC also requires the District of Columbia Jurisprudence Examination, which is registered for and taken through FSBPT..
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Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
This direction has a payoff. New York is outside the active compact, so you have had no privileges to work with — but District of Columbia is an active member. Endorse into District of Columbia with the District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health), establish it as your home state and primary residence, and District of Columbia 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, New York → District of Columbia
| New York (current) | District of Columbia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | PT Compact member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $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.) | $264 ($264 combined application and license fee paid online (DC Health licensing portal), per the DC endorsement checklist; a separate $50 criminal background check fee is paid online with the application. Licenses run biennially, expiring Jan 31 of odd-numbered years. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) |
| Processing time | the Office of the Professions publishes no processing timeframe for physical therapy applications | DC Health does not publish a processing timeframe for endorsement applications. |
| Licensing authority | New York State Board for Physical Therapy (NYSED Office of the Professions) | District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — District of Columbia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm District of Columbia's current requirements on the District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Graduate of a physical therapy program (official transcript; foreign-educated applicants must complete an FCCPT Type 1 review).
- Register for and complete the District of Columbia Jurisprudence Examination through FSBPT.
- Complete a criminal background check (CBC) submitted with the online application.
- Submit license verification from every jurisdiction where you have ever held a professional license.
- Submit the completed online application with a passport-style photo and government-issued photo ID via the DC Health licensing portal.
- Pay the fees ($264 ($264 combined application and license fee paid online (DC Health licensing portal), per the DC endorsement checklist; a separate $50 criminal background check fee is paid online with the application. Licenses run biennially, expiring Jan 31 of odd-numbered years. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)) and allow DC Health does not publish a processing timeframe for endorsement applications..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does District of Columbia accept a New York physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from New York to District of Columbia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health), verify your New York license, and meet District of Columbia's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is verified through FSBPT (via the FSBPT ID on the NPTE score report). DC also requires the District of Columbia Jurisprudence Examination, which is registered for and taken through FSBPT..
Do I retake the NPTE moving from New York to District of Columbia?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is verified through FSBPT (via the FSBPT ID on the NPTE score report). DC also requires the District of Columbia Jurisprudence Examination, which is registered for and taken through FSBPT..
What does the move cost?
$264 ($264 combined application and license fee paid online (DC Health licensing portal), per the DC endorsement checklist; a separate $50 criminal background check fee is paid online with the application. Licenses run biennially, expiring Jan 31 of odd-numbered years. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) ($264 combined application and license fee paid online (DC Health licensing portal), per the DC endorsement checklist; a separate $50 criminal background check fee is paid online with the application. Licenses run biennially, expiring Jan 31 of odd-numbered years. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).
How long will it take?
DC Health does not publish a processing timeframe for endorsement applications. — DC Health does not publish a processing timeframe for endorsement applications..
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- DC Health — Physical Therapist New License Application (Endorsement) Checklist ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- D.C. Code § 3-1205.07 — Reciprocity and endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PT Compact — member state map ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]