Physical Therapy License from New York to Rhode Island: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy (Rhode Island Department of Health) ↗
A physical therapy license transfers from New York to Rhode Island by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy (Rhode Island Department of Health), verify your New York license, and meet Rhode Island's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the FSBPT-approved national examination scores must be submitted directly to the Board (FSBPT Score Transfer Service, $90 per report). The Rhode Island PT regulation imposes no separate state jurisprudence exam..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Neither New York nor Rhode Island is an active member of the PT Compact, so this is a straightforward endorsement move: the Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy (Rhode Island Department of Health) verifies your New York license, your NPTE score transfers through the FSBPT, and you complete Rhode Island's jurisprudence exam and background check. Nothing about New York speeds up or slows down Rhode Island's standard out-of-state process.
What changes, New York → Rhode Island
| New York (current) | Rhode Island (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement | PT Compact enacted — not yet issuing |
| 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.) | $155 (physical therapist initial application fee (examination or endorsement) per the RI DOH fee structure, 216-RICR-10-05-2; non-refundable. PTA is $50. BCI/background-check costs and the $90 FSBPT score-transfer fee are separate. NOT a PT Compact privilege fee - Rhode Island does not issue privileges.) |
| Processing time | the Office of the Professions publishes no processing timeframe for physical therapy applications | neither the Board's regulation (216-RICR-40-05-13) nor the DOH fee structure states a processing timeframe for endorsement applications |
| Licensing authority | New York State Board for Physical Therapy (NYSED Office of the Professions) | Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy (Rhode Island Department of Health) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Rhode Island sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Rhode Island's current requirements on the Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy (Rhode Island Department of Health) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy (Rhode Island Department of Health).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Submit a licensure-status statement from the physical therapy board of every state where you hold or have held a license.
- Have your FSBPT-approved national examination scores sent directly to the Board.
- Submit a full Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) report; out-of-state applicants obtain it from their state of residence.
- Do not practice physical therapy in Rhode Island until the endorsement license has actually been issued.
- Pay the fees ($155 (physical therapist initial application fee (examination or endorsement) per the RI DOH fee structure, 216-RICR-10-05-2; non-refundable. PTA is $50. BCI/background-check costs and the $90 FSBPT score-transfer fee are separate. NOT a PT Compact privilege fee - Rhode Island does not issue privileges.)) and allow neither the Board's regulation (216-RICR-40-05-13) nor the DOH fee structure states a processing timeframe for endorsement applications.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Rhode Island accept a New York physical therapy license?
A physical therapy license transfers from New York to Rhode Island by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy (Rhode Island Department of Health), verify your New York license, and meet Rhode Island's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; the FSBPT-approved national examination scores must be submitted directly to the Board (FSBPT Score Transfer Service, $90 per report). The Rhode Island PT regulation imposes no separate state jurisprudence exam..
Do I retake the NPTE moving from New York to Rhode Island?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the FSBPT-approved national examination scores must be submitted directly to the Board (FSBPT Score Transfer Service, $90 per report). The Rhode Island PT regulation imposes no separate state jurisprudence exam..
What does the move cost?
$155 (physical therapist initial application fee (examination or endorsement) per the RI DOH fee structure, 216-RICR-10-05-2; non-refundable. PTA is $50. BCI/background-check costs and the $90 FSBPT score-transfer fee are separate. NOT a PT Compact privilege fee - Rhode Island does not issue privileges.) (physical therapist initial application fee (examination or endorsement) per the RI DOH fee structure, 216-RICR-10-05-2; non-refundable. PTA is $50. BCI/background-check costs and the $90 FSBPT score-transfer fee are separate. NOT a PT Compact privilege fee - Rhode Island does not issue privileges.).
How long will it take?
neither the Board's regulation (216-RICR-40-05-13) nor the DOH fee structure states a processing timeframe for endorsement applications — neither the Board's regulation (216-RICR-40-05-13) nor the DOH fee structure states a processing timeframe for endorsement applications.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- 216-RICR-40-05-13 - Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants (RI Secretary of State, Rules & Regulations) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- 216-RICR-10-05-2 - RI Department of Health Fee Structure for Licensing ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact - state status list (Physical Therapy Compact Commission) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- FSBPT - Licensing Authorities Contact Information ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- FSBPT - NPTE Score Transfer Service ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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