Are you a travel physical therapist (PT) looking to maximize your assignment options? With more states joining the PT Compact, it’s never been easier for PTs to work across state lines. Keep reading to learn about how the PT compact works, which states are participating, and which will be included in 2023.
- What is a PT compact license?
- What are the benefits of a PT compact license?
- What are the requirements to get a PT compact license?
- What are the PT compact states?
- How to get a PT compact license
- PT Compact FAQs
What is a PT compact license?
The PT Licensure Compact (PTLC) is an agreement between multiple states that makes it easier for people to get physical therapy services by "letting physical therapy providers work in more than one state."
This means that physical therapists can work across state lines, improving access to physical therapy services.
The catch is that not every U.S. state has agreed to this, which can make things more complicated for traveling physical therapists.
When it comes to travel physical therapy, there are two types of licenses: single-state and compact. The compact license allows PTs and PTAs to practice and provide healthcare in any of the compact states without obtaining a new licensure every time they move to a new state.
If the state you live in isn’t included in the PTLC, you’ll need to obtain a single state license for every state you want to practice physical therapy.
What are the benefits of a PT compact license?
A physical therapy compact license offers several benefits to physical therapists hoping to practice in multiple states.
With the license, PTs and PTAs no longer need to go through the process of obtaining several separate state licenses, a tedious and time-consuming process that requires numerous forms and fees.
The PTLC also allows PTs greater mobility as they can move from one of the participating states to another and still be able to practice, so long as they have an active membership in their home state licensing agency.
Additionally, by having access to more physical therapist roles in different geographical areas, PTs can enjoy increased job opportunities and salary potential.
What are the PT compact states?
There are currently 39 member states, but only 26 of those states are issuing compact privileges. Those member states include:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
States with pending PTLC legislation
The following states have already introduced legislation or enacted but have not yet started issuing compact privileges:
- Alabama
- District of Columbia
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
To stay up to date on the status of states' compact privileges, view the interactive PT compact map.
What are the requirements to get a PT compact license?
To be eligible for a PTLC, you must:
-
Hold a current and valid PT or PTA license in your home state (aka the state listed on your driver’s license or ID)
-
Your home state must be a member of the PT compact and issue compact privileges
-
Not have any encumbrances or disciplinary actions against any PT or PTA license within the last two years
-
Successfully complete the jurisprudence requirement for the compact member state(s) you want privilege in
Here’s a handy chart of jurisprudence exam requirements by state:
|
PT compact state |
State CP fee |
Commission CP fee |
Total CP fee |
Jurisprudence exam requirement |
|
Arizona |
$0 |
$45 |
$45 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Arkansas |
$50 |
$45 |
$90 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Colorado |
$50 |
$45 |
$90 |
None |
|
Delaware |
$55 |
$45 |
$100 |
None |
|
Georgia |
$65 |
$45 |
$110 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Iowa |
$60 |
$45 |
$105 |
None |
|
Kentucky |
$50 |
$45 |
$95 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Louisiana |
$95 |
$45 |
$140 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Maryland |
$125 |
$45 |
$170 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Mississippi |
$150 |
$45 |
$195 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Missouri |
$20 |
$45 |
$65 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Montana |
$50 |
$45 |
$95 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Nebraska |
$35 |
$45 |
$80 |
None |
|
New Hampshire |
$65 |
$45 |
$110 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
North Carolina |
$52 |
$45 |
$97 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
North Dakota |
$40 |
$45 |
$85 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Ohio |
$50 |
$45 |
$95 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Oklahoma |
$55 |
$45 |
$100 |
None |
|
Oregon |
$50 |
$45 |
$95 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
South Dakota |
$62 |
$45 |
$107 |
None |
|
Tennessee |
$25 |
$45 |
$70 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Texas |
$50 |
$45 |
$95 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
Utah |
$47 |
$45 |
$92 |
None |
|
Virginia |
$50 |
$45 |
$95 |
None |
|
Washington |
$45 |
$45 |
$90 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
|
West Virginia |
$50 |
$45 |
$95 |
None |
|
Wisconsin |
$56 |
$45 |
$101 |
Must pass before applying for CP |
How to get a PT compact license
If the state in which you wish to practice requires a jurisprudence exam, you must take and pass one before applying for your compact license.
Most jurisprudence exams are accessible online. To find out how and where to take the exam, do a little research specific to the state(s) in question.
When you're ready to apply for your compact license:
- Navigate to the PT Compact website
- Log in with your FSBPT ID and password
- Select "Purchase" button
- Complete user profile
- Select states for which you want a compact license
- Attest that you've finished required jurisprudence exams
- Pay for compact privileges
PT Compact FAQs
There’s a lot to know when it comes to a PT compact license. These are the top common questions about the PTLC:
How long is the process to obtain a compact privilege?
Obtaining one compact license can take as little as a few minutes, as eligible PTs and PTAs can get their compact privileges with the click of a button at ptcompact.org.
However, some states may require the successful completion of its jurisprudence exam prior to purchasing a physical therapy compact license.
What is a home state according to the physical therapy compact commission?
A home state is a person’s “true, fixed, and permanent” home where they intend to stay, as defined by Commission Rules. There are special exceptions for active-duty military and their spouses.
What continuing competence requirements must be met?
Continuing competence requirements vary from state to state. You only need to meet the continuing competency requirements of your home state license.
You don't need to meet the continuing competence requirements for the state(s) in which you hold compact physical therapy licensure.
How long do you have to practice as a PT or PTA to get a PT compact license?
There’s no length requirement for physical therapists or physical therapist assistants to obtain compact privileges. All you need is a valid PT license.
How much does a PT compact cost?
The compact privilege fees for the PTLC depend on the state. There’s a $45 commission fee and an optional state fee charged for each compact privilege. Refer to this table to see how much compact PT licenses cost in participating states.
Is there a time limit that someone can practice on a PT compact license in a remote state?
PT compact licenses expire on the same date as your home state license. So, if you want to keep practicing in that remote location, don't forget to renew your home state credentials!
With this helpful guide, you can easily obtain your compact privileges, and get back to doing what you love - being able to provide physical therapy services across multiple states. Keep your licenses safe and organized by storing them in your traveler profile and treat yourself to a more efficient process to landing the travel job placement of your dreams.
