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LicenseReciprocity

Physical Therapy License from Wisconsin to Kentucky: Does It Transfer? (2026)

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

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

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Verdict

Compact multistate — already covered

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

What changes, Wisconsin → Kentucky

Side-by-side: Wisconsin vs Kentucky (Physical Therapy (PT/PTA)), verified 2026-08-07
Wisconsin (current)Kentucky (destination)
PT Compact statusPT Compact member — multistate license honoredPT Compact member — multistate license honored
Application feenot verifiable on an official page on 2026-08-07. DSPS sets initial credential fees administratively under Wis. Stat. 440.03(9)(a); the last per-profession initial-fee schedule DSPS publishes online lists $56.00 for a Physical Therapist effective 7/1/2021, but DSPS announced an updated fee schedule on 2025-08-08 that superseded it, and no current initial-credential fee document could be located on dsps.wi.gov. The current PT renewal fee is documented: $68 biennially, due 02/28 of odd years (RDAF rev. 08/07/2025).$225 (initial credentialing fee per 201 KAR 22:135 §2; the fee schedule lists no separate 'by endorsement' fee, so endorsement applicants pay this initial credentialing fee. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.)
Processing timeDSPS publishes no processing timeframe for PT endorsement applications; it warns only that a file with no activity for a year may be withdrawnthe Board publishes no processing timeframe for endorsement applications
Licensing authorityWisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board (Department of Safety and Professional Services)Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Kentucky 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 Kentucky: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy when you move.
  3. Declare Kentucky as your new primary state of residence on that application.
  4. Complete Kentucky'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

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

Related guides

Reverse: Kentucky → WisconsinPhysical Therapy in WisconsinPhysical Therapy in KentuckyAll physical therapy statesThe PT Compact explained

Frequently asked questions

Does Kentucky accept a Wisconsin physical therapy license?

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

Do I retake the NPTE moving from Wisconsin to Kentucky?

No — the NPTE is taken once and your score transfers through the FSBPT. NPTE is not retaken; the applicant registers with the FSBPT Score Transfer Service to have the passing score (criterion-referenced standard of 600) sent to Kentucky. Kentucky also requires completion of the state open-book jurisprudence examination for the current biennium..

What does the move cost?

If you are buying a Kentucky compact privilege to work while living in Wisconsin: the commission's uniform fee plus Kentucky's privilege fee. If you are relocating and taking a full Kentucky license by endorsement: $225 (initial credentialing fee per 201 KAR 22:135 §2; the fee schedule lists no separate 'by endorsement' fee, so endorsement applicants pay this initial credentialing fee. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.) (initial credentialing fee per 201 KAR 22:135 §2; the fee schedule lists no separate 'by endorsement' fee, so endorsement applicants pay this initial credentialing fee. NOT the PT Compact privilege fee.).

How long will it take?

A compact privilege issues quickly once your eligibility and any Kentucky 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]