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LicenseReciprocity

Physical Therapy License from Texas to Alabama: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-07 · source: Alabama Board of Physical Therapy ↗

Yes — both Texas and Alabama are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Texas is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Alabama now; if you are moving your residence to Alabama, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Alabama your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.

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Verdict

Compact multistate — already covered

Both Texas and Alabama are active PT Compact members, so this is a privilege move, not a license move. If Texas is your home state and primary residence and your license there is active, you do not apply to the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy — you buy a Alabama compact privilege through the commission and practice on it, with your Texas license staying in place. Two caveats worth planning around: Alabama may require its jurisprudence exam before the privilege issues, and the privilege lapses the moment your Texas license does. If you are genuinely relocating to Alabama rather than working there temporarily, the privilege model doesn't fit — you would change your home state by endorsing into Alabama.

What changes, Texas → Alabama

Side-by-side: Texas vs Alabama (Physical Therapy (PT/PTA)), verified 2026-08-07
Texas (current)Alabama (destination)
PT Compact statusPT Compact member — multistate license honoredPT Compact member — multistate license honored
Application feethe non-refundable application fee is set by the Executive Council in 22 TAC 651.2 (Physical Therapy Board Fees); ECPTOTE publishes no amount on its own pages and links out to the Texas Secretary of State TAC viewer, which is a JavaScript portal that could not be retrieved on 2026-08-07, so no figure is asserted here. The fee is WAIVED for military service members, military spouses and military veterans. Separate from this: the PT Compact privilege costs $50 to Texas plus the Commission's fee, and the FSBPT score transfer costs $90.$100 (online application fee for a PT (same fee for endorsement or exam) per the Board fee schedule; annual PT renewal is $130; a fingerprint-based background-check fee applies separately. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)
Processing timeECPTOTE states it is not publishing current processing times because of high application volume; the only fixed period in rule is that an application for licensure is valid for one year after the board receives itthe Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications
Licensing authorityTexas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners)Alabama Board of Physical Therapy

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

Step by step

  1. Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing.
  2. If you are moving your primary residence to Alabama: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy when you move.
  3. Declare Alabama as your new primary state of residence on that application.
  4. Complete Alabama'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

Alabama Board of Physical Therapy ↗Alabama application ↗Physical Therapy Licensure Compact ↗

Related guides

Reverse: Alabama → TexasPhysical Therapy in TexasPhysical Therapy in AlabamaAll physical therapy statesThe PT Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Alabama accept a Texas physical therapy license?

Yes — both Texas and Alabama are members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Texas is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Alabama now; if you are moving your residence to Alabama, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Alabama your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.

Do I retake the NPTE moving from Texas to Alabama?

No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score is sent to the Board via the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. Alabama also requires passing the Alabama Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Examination (AL JAM) with at least 80% correct..

What does the move cost?

If you are buying a Alabama compact privilege to work while living in Texas: the commission's uniform fee plus Alabama's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full Alabama license by endorsement: $100 (online application fee for a PT (same fee for endorsement or exam) per the Board fee schedule; annual PT renewal is $130; a fingerprint-based background-check fee applies separately. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) (online application fee for a PT (same fee for endorsement or exam) per the Board fee schedule; annual PT renewal is $130; a fingerprint-based background-check fee applies separately. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).

How long will it take?

A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any Alabama jurisprudence exam are cleared — usually faster than a full license. A relocation endorsement runs the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications (the Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications).

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]