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LicenseReciprocity

Physical Therapy License from North Carolina to Hawaii: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) ↗

A physical therapy license transfers from North Carolina to Hawaii by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division), verify your North Carolina license, and meet Hawaii's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; Hawaii licenses out-of-state applicants under its 'exam waiver' provision once the FSBPT Score Transfer Service sends the passing score directly to the Board. Hawaii has no separate state jurisprudence exam for licensure..

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

Moving from North Carolina into Hawaii leaves the compact behind: Hawaii has not joined the compact, so no North Carolina privilege reaches it. You transfer by licensure by endorsement with the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) — your NPTE score moves through the FSBPT rather than being retaken, and Hawaii adds its own jurisprudence exam and background check. Your North Carolina license and any privileges you hold elsewhere stay valid as long as your residence remains in North Carolina; file Hawaii's application before you rely on income there.

What changes, North Carolina → Hawaii

Side-by-side: North Carolina vs Hawaii (Physical Therapy (PT/PTA)), verified 2026-08-07
North Carolina (current)Hawaii (destination)
PT Compact statusPT Compact member — multistate license honoredLicensure by endorsement
Application feeThe Board's fee rule is 21 NCAC 48F .0102 (readopted eff. May 1, 2019), but on 2026-08-07 neither the rule text nor the Board's published Schedule of Fees could be retrieved from an official source - the Board's application host (www2.ncptboard.org) returned 403 and the NC OAH / NC Rules code servers were unreachable. No amount is stated rather than guess. Confirm the current endorsement application fee directly with the Board.$185–$300 (exam-waiver (endorsement) applicants pay a bundled total that depends on the licensing year: $185 if licensed in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $300 if licensed in an ODD-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $100 CRF + $65 half renewal). The $50 application fee is non-refundable. A temporary license costs an extra $50.)
Processing timeThe Board publishes no processing timeframe; 21 NCAC 48B .0102(a) provides only that each endorsement application is considered on an individual basis.the Board publishes no processing timeframe; it states only that an application is abandoned and destroyed if the license process is not completed within one year of filing (HAR 16-110-10(d))
Licensing authorityNorth Carolina Board of Physical Therapy ExaminersHawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division)

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

Step by step

  1. Confirm Hawaii's current requirements on the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) website (linked below) — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) (application linked below).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Have a certified transcript sent directly to the Board from your CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program.
  5. Request the FSBPT Score Transfer Service to forward your NPTE score directly to the Board.
  6. Have every state or territory where you hold or held a license complete the Board's Verification of License form and send it directly.
  7. Provide a Social Security Number and be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work in the United States.
  8. Mail the completed application and fees to the Board of Physical Therapy, DCCA-PVL Licensing Branch.
  9. Pay the fees ($185–$300 (exam-waiver (endorsement) applicants pay a bundled total that depends on the licensing year: $185 if licensed in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $300 if licensed in an ODD-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $100 CRF + $65 half renewal). The $50 application fee is non-refundable. A temporary license costs an extra $50.)) and allow the Board publishes no processing timeframe; it states only that an application is abandoned and destroyed if the license process is not completed within one year of filing (HAR 16-110-10(d)).

Official links

Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division) ↗Hawaii application ↗License verification ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Hawaii → North CarolinaPhysical Therapy in North CarolinaPhysical Therapy in HawaiiAll physical therapy statesThe PT Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Hawaii accept a North Carolina physical therapy license?

A physical therapy license transfers from North Carolina to Hawaii by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division), verify your North Carolina license, and meet Hawaii's endorsement requirements. NPTE is not retaken; Hawaii licenses out-of-state applicants under its 'exam waiver' provision once the FSBPT Score Transfer Service sends the passing score directly to the Board. Hawaii has no separate state jurisprudence exam for licensure..

Do I retake the NPTE moving from North Carolina to Hawaii?

No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; Hawaii licenses out-of-state applicants under its 'exam waiver' provision once the FSBPT Score Transfer Service sends the passing score directly to the Board. Hawaii has no separate state jurisprudence exam for licensure..

What does the move cost?

$185–$300 (exam-waiver (endorsement) applicants pay a bundled total that depends on the licensing year: $185 if licensed in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $300 if licensed in an ODD-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $100 CRF + $65 half renewal). The $50 application fee is non-refundable. A temporary license costs an extra $50.) (exam-waiver (endorsement) applicants pay a bundled total that depends on the licensing year: $185 if licensed in an EVEN-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $50 Compliance Resolution Fund) or $300 if licensed in an ODD-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $100 CRF + $65 half renewal). The $50 application fee is non-refundable. A temporary license costs an extra $50.).

How long will it take?

the Board publishes no processing timeframe; it states only that an application is abandoned and destroyed if the license process is not completed within one year of filing (HAR 16-110-10(d)) — the Board publishes no processing timeframe; it states only that an application is abandoned and destroyed if the license process is not completed within one year of filing (HAR 16-110-10(d)).

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]