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Physical Therapist
Physical therapists must complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and pass the NPTE-PT exam. The PT Compact allows multistate practice, while direct access rules, dry needling authorization, and jurisprudence requirements vary significantly by state.
51
States Covered
40
PT Compact States
51
Direct Access
38
Dry Needling Allowed
PT licensure combines a standardized national exam with state-specific requirements for scope of practice, continuing education, and emerging techniques like dry needling.
All physical therapists must hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from a CAPTE-accredited program (typically 3 years post-bachelor's) and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE-PT). The exam is administered by the FSBPT and costs $395.
The PT Compact allows licensed PTs to practice in member states without additional licensure. Direct access — the ability to evaluate and treat patients without a physician referral — is permitted in most states, though scope and duration rules vary significantly.
Dry needling is authorized for PTs in many states but prohibited or restricted in others, often due to conflicts with acupuncture licensing boards. Jurisprudence exams, background checks, and state-specific CE topic requirements add additional variation.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Compact | Direct Access | Dry Needling | Jurisprudence | PTA Ratio | Fees | CE Hours | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $777 | 10 | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $885 | 24 | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $895 | 20 | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $745 | 20 | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | No | Yes | No | Yes | 1:2 | $1,034 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 | $577 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1:2 | $820 | 20 | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 | $728 | 30 | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 1:2 | $799 | 40 | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $628.25 | 24 | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $665 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | No | Yes | No | No | 1:2 | $635 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | No | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 | $615 | 16 | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $735 | 40 | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $735 | 22 | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 | $780 | 40 | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $675 | 40 | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $935 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $785-$925 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 | $685 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $687 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | No | Yes | No | Yes | 1:2 | $685 | 0 | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | No | Yes | No | Yes | 1:2 | $751.30 | 24 | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | No | Yes | No | Yes | 1:2 | $667 | 20 | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $810 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 1:2 | $554 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 | $635 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $718 | 20 | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:3 | $825 | 15 | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Based on PT's ability to supervise competently; no specific numeric ratio mandated | $695 | 24 | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No specific numeric ratio mandated; based on PT's ability to provide adequate supervision | $880 | 30 | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $739 | 30 | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | No | Yes | No | No | 1:2 | $899 | 36 | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $685 | 30 | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:3 | $730 | 25 | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:2 | $683 | 24 | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1:3 | $735 | 40 | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 1:2 | $683+ | 24 | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1:3 | $567 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No specific ratio established | $620 | 24 | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:3 (recommended maximum) | $635 | 30 | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 (one PT may not supervise more than two PTAs at any one time) | $659 | 15 | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:3 | $660 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:4 | $773 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 | $635 | 40 | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 | $635 | 24 | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No specific ratio established by regulation | $699 | 30 | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 1:2 | $694 | 40 | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:4 | $730+ | 24 | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 1:2 | $568+ | 30 | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1:5 | $725+ | 30 | March 2026 |
Physical therapists work alongside occupational therapists and often supervise PTAs. Explore related licensing requirements.
Licensed in the U.S. and considering practicing abroad? Our international guide covers credential evaluation, exam equivalencies, and country-specific requirements.
See international physical therapist licensing requirements →PT Compact member state list, NPTE-PT exam prep tips, direct access rules by state, dry needling authorization map, and CE requirements — all in one guide.
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