Physical Therapy License from Washington to New Jersey: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Yes, for working in New Jersey — both Washington and New Jersey 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 New Jersey without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to New Jersey, you will need a New Jersey license once New Jersey becomes your home state.
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Verdict
Compact privilege — work there without a second license
Both Washington and New Jersey 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 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 Washington 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 Washington 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, Washington → New Jersey
| Washington (current) | New Jersey (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.) | $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 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 | 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 authority | Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health) | New 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
- Confirm your home-state license is active and unencumbered and that your home state is your primary state of residence.
- To work in New Jersey: purchase a PT Compact privilege for New Jersey through the compact commission and complete any New Jersey jurisprudence requirement.
- Keep your home-state license active — every privilege lapses with it.
- If you are moving your primary residence to New Jersey: apply for a New Jersey license with the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs); a privilege does not follow you when your home state changes.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New Jersey accept a Washington physical therapy license?
Yes, for working in New Jersey — both Washington and New Jersey 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 New Jersey without a second license. A privilege is not a license transfer: if you are moving your residence to New Jersey, you will need a New Jersey license once New Jersey becomes your home state.
Do I retake the NPTE moving from Washington 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 Washington: 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.).
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).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- NJ State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners - Helpful Information Regarding the Application Process (fees, endorsement, JAM, background check) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- NJ Board of Physical Therapy Examiners - Phases and Timelines ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- NJ Board of Physical Therapy Examiners - Applications ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- PT Compact Commission - Process and Requirements (New Jersey privilege fees and jurisprudence rule) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- 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]