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LicenseReciprocity

Physical Therapy License from North Dakota to New Jersey: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) ↗

Yes — both North Dakota and New Jersey 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 New Jersey now; if you are moving your residence to New Jersey, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare New Jersey your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.

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Verdict

Compact multistate — already covered

Both North Dakota and New Jersey 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 New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) — you buy a New Jersey compact privilege through the commission and practice on it, with your North Dakota license staying in place. Two caveats worth planning around: New Jersey 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 New Jersey rather than working there temporarily, the privilege model doesn't fit — you would change your home state by endorsing into New Jersey.

What changes, North Dakota → New Jersey

Side-by-side: North Dakota vs New Jersey (Physical Therapy (PT/PTA)), verified 2026-08-07
North Dakota (current)New Jersey (destination)
PT Compact statusPT Compact member — multistate license honoredPT 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.)$125 (non-refundable application fee. A separate initial license fee is billed only after the board finds you eligible: $110 for a PT in the first year of the biennial period (February of an even year through January of an odd year) or $55 in the second year; PTA is $100/$50. + the applicant's cost of the fingerprint-based criminal history background check. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)
Processing timeNeither the North Dakota Administrative Code nor the Board's rules state a processing timeframe for endorsement applications.5–9 weeks (board-published phases: Phase I initial review 2-3 weeks, Phase II background-check results 2-4 weeks, Phase III approval 1-2 weeks; add 4-6 weeks if criminal history or extra board review is involved, plus 10-15 business days for the license to arrive after the license fee is paid)
Licensing authorityNorth Dakota Board of Physical TherapyNew Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs)

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

Step by step

  1. Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
  2. If you are moving your primary residence to New Jersey: apply for licensure by endorsement with the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs) when you move.
  3. Declare New Jersey as your new primary state of residence on that application.
  4. Complete New Jersey's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
  5. 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 New Jersey accept a North Dakota physical therapy license?

Yes — both North Dakota and New Jersey 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 New Jersey now; if you are moving your residence to New Jersey, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare New Jersey your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.

Do I retake the NPTE moving from North Dakota to New Jersey?

No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score moves through FSBPT. New Jersey also requires every applicant - examination, endorsement, and compact privilege alike - to pass the New Jersey Jurisprudence Assessment Module (JAM) hosted by FSBPT..

What does the move cost?

If you are buying a New Jersey compact privilege to work while living in North Dakota: the commission's uniform fee plus New Jersey's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full New Jersey license by endorsement: $125 (non-refundable application fee. A separate initial license fee is billed only after the board finds you eligible: $110 for a PT in the first year of the biennial period (February of an even year through January of an odd year) or $55 in the second year; PTA is $100/$50. + the applicant's cost of the fingerprint-based criminal history background check. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) (non-refundable application fee. A separate initial license fee is billed only after the board finds you eligible: $110 for a PT in the first year of the biennial period (February of an even year through January of an odd year) or $55 in the second year; PTA is $100/$50. + the applicant's cost of the fingerprint-based criminal history background check. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).

How long will it take?

A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any New Jersey jurisprudence exam are cleared — usually faster than a full license. A relocation endorsement runs 5–9 weeks (board-published phases: Phase I initial review 2-3 weeks, Phase II background-check results 2-4 weeks, Phase III approval 1-2 weeks; add 4-6 weeks if criminal history or extra board review is involved, plus 10-15 business days for the license to arrive after the license fee is paid) (board-published phases: Phase I initial review 2-3 weeks, Phase II background-check results 2-4 weeks, Phase III approval 1-2 weeks; add 4-6 weeks if criminal history or extra board review is involved, plus 10-15 business days for the license to arrive after the license fee is paid).

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]