Physical Therapy License from Washington to Louisiana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Yes, for working in Louisiana — both Washington and Louisiana are active members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Washington is your primary state of residence and your Washington license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Louisiana without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Louisiana, you will need a Louisiana license once Louisiana becomes your home state.
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Verdict
Compact privilege — work there without a second license
Both Washington and Louisiana are active PT Compact members, so this is a privilege move, not a license move. If Washington is your home state and primary residence and your license there is active, you do not apply to the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners) — you buy a Louisiana compact privilege through the commission and practice on it, with your Washington license staying in place. Two caveats worth planning around: Louisiana may require its jurisprudence exam before the privilege issues, and the privilege lapses the moment your Washington license does. If you are genuinely relocating to Louisiana rather than working there temporarily, the privilege model doesn't fit — you would change your home state by endorsing into Louisiana.
What changes, Washington → Louisiana
| Washington (current) | Louisiana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| PT Compact status | Licensure by endorsement · PT Compact privilege (not a license) | Licensure by endorsement · PT Compact privilege (not a license) |
| Application fee | $80 (original application fee for a physical therapist under WAC 246-915-990 (PTA initial application is $75); active license renewal is $100 annually. Fingerprint/background-check surcharges are separate. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) | $250 (PT license application fee per LAC 46:LIV §501, paid by domestic cashier's check or money order only (personal checks are returned). The $95 'compact state fee' in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the reciprocity application fee.) |
| Processing time | the Department publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications; it warns only that delayed responses lengthen the wait. Military spouses may qualify for expedited processing | the Board publishes no processing timeframe for reciprocity applications |
| Licensing authority | Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) | Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Louisiana sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your home-state license is active and unencumbered and that your home state is your primary state of residence.
- To work in Louisiana: purchase a PT Compact privilege for Louisiana through the compact commission and complete any Louisiana jurisprudence requirement.
- Keep your home-state license active — every privilege lapses with it.
- If you are moving your primary residence to Louisiana: apply for a Louisiana license with the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board (Louisiana State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners); a privilege does not follow you when your home state changes.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Louisiana accept a Washington physical therapy license?
Yes, for working in Louisiana — both Washington and Louisiana are active members of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). If Washington is your primary state of residence and your Washington license is active and unencumbered, you can buy a compact privilege to practice in Louisiana without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to Louisiana, you will need a Louisiana license once Louisiana becomes your home state.
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Washington to Louisiana?
No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the passing score must be sent to the Board through the FSBPT Score Transfer Service. Louisiana also requires all applicants to pass the Board's free online jurisprudence exam (40 questions from the Practice Act and Rules, 75% to pass).
What does the move cost?
If you are buying a Louisiana compact privilege to work while living in Washington: the commission's uniform fee plus Louisiana's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full Louisiana license by endorsement: $250 (PT license application fee per LAC 46:LIV §501, paid by domestic cashier's check or money order only (personal checks are returned). The $95 'compact state fee' in the same rule is the PT Compact privilege fee, NOT the reciprocity application fee.).
How long will it take?
A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any Louisiana jurisprudence exam are cleared — usually faster than a full license. A relocation endorsement runs the Board publishes no processing timeframe for reciprocity applications.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- LAC 46:LIV §501 — Louisiana physical therapy fees (Cornell LII) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LAC 46:LIV §151 — Application (jurisprudence exam + background check) (Cornell LII) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Louisiana PT Board — Reciprocity for PTs and PTAs (Non-Foreign Educated) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WA DOH - PT/PTA Licensing Information ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- WA DOH - Substantially Equivalent States (PT) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- WAC 246-915-990 - Physical therapist fees ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact - member state map ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact - how to get privileges (state fee and jurisprudence table) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]