Physical Therapy License from North Dakota to Maryland: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Maryland Department of Health) ↗
Yes — both North Dakota and Maryland 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 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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Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
Both North Dakota and Maryland 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 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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, North Dakota → Maryland
| North Dakota (current) | Maryland (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.) | $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 time | Neither the North Dakota Administrative Code nor the Board's rules state a processing timeframe for endorsement applications. | ~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 authority | North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy | Maryland 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
- Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
- 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.
- Declare Maryland as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Maryland'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 Maryland accept a North Dakota physical therapy license?
Yes — both North Dakota and Maryland 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 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota: 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.
- Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners — Licensing (Licensure by Endorsement requirements, fees, processing time) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners — Physical Therapy Compact Privilege ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact — Compact Privilege Fee, Jurisprudence and Waiver Table ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact — States by Category ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- 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)
- PT Compact - member state map ↗ (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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