Physical Therapy License from North Dakota to District of Columbia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health) ↗
Yes — both North Dakota and District of Columbia are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If North Dakota is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in District of Columbia now; if you are moving your residence to District of Columbia, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare District of Columbia your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
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Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
Both North Dakota and District of Columbia are active PT Compact members, so this is a privilege move, not a license move. If North Dakota is your home state and primary residence and your license there is active, you do not apply to the District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health) — you buy a District of Columbia compact privilege through the commission and practice on it, with your North Dakota license staying in place. Two caveats worth planning around: District of Columbia may require its jurisprudence exam before the privilege issues, and the privilege lapses the moment your North Dakota license does. If you are genuinely relocating to District of Columbia rather than working there temporarily, the privilege model doesn't fit — you would change your home state by endorsing into District of Columbia.
What changes, North Dakota → District of Columbia
| North Dakota (current) | District of Columbia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | PT Compact member — multistate license honored | PT Compact member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $200 (Non-refundable application fee set by NDAC 61.5-02-03-01(1); the same application fee applies to licensure by endorsement. Annual renewal is $100 for physical therapists ($60 for PTAs) and the late renewal fee is $50. The criminal-history background check is billed separately at cost. The $40 'compact fee' in the same rule is North Dakota's PT Compact privilege fee, not the endorsement application fee.) | $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 | Neither the North Dakota Administrative Code nor the Board's rules state a processing timeframe for endorsement applications. | DC Health does not publish a processing timeframe for endorsement applications. |
| Licensing authority | North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy | 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 your current license is an active multistate license in good standing.
- If you are moving your primary residence to District of Columbia: apply for licensure by endorsement with the District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy (DC Health) when you move.
- Declare District of Columbia as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete District of Columbia's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
- 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 District of Columbia accept a North Dakota physical therapy license?
Yes — both North Dakota and District of Columbia are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If North Dakota is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in District of Columbia now; if you are moving your residence to District of Columbia, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare District of Columbia your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Do I retake the NPTE moving from North Dakota 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?
If you are buying a District of Columbia compact privilege to work while living in North Dakota: the commission's uniform fee plus District of Columbia's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full District of Columbia license by endorsement: $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?
A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any District of Columbia jurisprudence exam are cleared — usually faster than a full license. A relocation endorsement runs 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)
- North Dakota Administrative Code 61.5-02-03 - Fees (ND Legislative Branch) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- North Dakota Administrative Code 61.5-02-02 - Licensure (general requirements and types of licensure incl. endorsement) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- North Dakota Administrative Code Title 61.5 - ND Board of Physical Therapy (index) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- FSBPT - NPTE Score Transfer Service ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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