Average Timeframe for State Licensure and Application Requirements
Alabama
Timeframe: 3-5 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Alabama PT Board
Alaska
Timeframe: 4-6 weeks
Compact: Enacted Legislation
Website Details: Alaska PT Board
Arizona
Timeframe: Based on board meeting
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Arizona PT Board
Arkansas
Timeframe: 1 week
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Arkansas PT Board
California
Timeframe: 5-7 weeks with LiveScan, 8-10 weeks with fingerprint cards
Compact: Non-member state without legislation introduced
Notes: LiveScan or fingerprint cards required
Website Details: California PT Board
Colorado
Timeframe: 4-6 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Colorado PT Board
Connecticut
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Compact: Enacted legislation
Website Details: Connecticut PT Board
Delaware
Timeframe: 4-8 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Delaware PT Board
Florida
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Compact: Non-member state without legislation introduced
Website Details: Florida PT Board
Georgia
Timeframe: 5-7 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Georgia PT Board
Hawaii
Timeframe: 4-5 weeks
Compact: Non-member state without legislation introduced
Website Details: Hawaii PT Board
Idaho
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks
Compact: Non-member state without legislation introduced
Website Details: Idaho PT Board
Illinois
Timeframe: 6-8 weeks
Compact: PT compact legislation introduced
Website Details: Illinois PT Board
Indiana
Timeframe: 2-4 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Indiana PT Board
Iowa
Timeframe: 2-4 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Iowa PT Board
Kansas
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Compact: Enacted legislation
Website Details: Kansas PT Board
Kentucky
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Member state
Notes: HIV/AIDS education course required through state
Website Details: Kentucky PT Board
Louisiana
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks after board meeting
Compact: Member state
Notes: Proof of 30 CEUs within past 2 years; interview with board required for licensing
Website Details: Louisiana PT Board
Maine
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Compact: Enacted legislation
Notes: Online application
Website Details: Maine PT Board
Maryland
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Maryland PT Board
Massachusetts
Timeframe: 5-6 weeks
Compact: Non-member state without legislation introduced
Notes: License processed through PCS in Tennessee
Website Details: Massachusetts PT Board
Michigan
Timeframe: 6-8 weeks
Compact: PT compact legislation introduced
Website Details: Michigan PT Board
Minnesota
Timeframe: 5 days (temp permit)
Compact: Non-member states without legislation introduced
Notes: Online application; full license issued with board meeting
Website Details: Minnesota PT Board
Mississippi
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Member state
Notes: Online application. Fingerprint cards required
Website Details: Mississippi PT Board
Missouri
Timeframe: 6 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Missouri PT Board
Montana
Timeframe: 2 weeks after board meeting
Compact: Member state
Notes: Online application
Website Details: Montana PT Board
Nebraska
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Nebraska PT Board
Nevada
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks with LiveScan, 6-8 weeks with fingerprint cards
Compact: Non-member states without legislation introduced
Notes: LiveScan or fingerprint cards required
Website Details: Nevada PT Board
New Hampshire
Timeframe: Board review (3rd Wednesday of the month)
Compact: Member state
Notes: Call 603-271-8389 to obtain an application. Must obtain criminal history reports
Website Details: New Hampshire PT Board
New Jersey
Timeframe: 4-8 weeks
Compact: Member state
Notes: LiveScan or fingerprint cards required
Website Details: New Jersey PT Board
New Mexico
Timeframe: 1-3 weeks
Compact: Non-member state without legislation introduced
Website Details: New Mexico PT Board
New York
Timeframe: 4-8 weeks
Compact: PT compact legislation introduced
Website Details: New York PT Board
North Carolina
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks after board review
Compact: Member state
Website Details: North Carolina PT Board
North Dakota
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Member state
Notes: Online application
Website Details: North Dakota PT Board
Ohio
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks with LiveScan, 3-4 months with fingerprint cards
Compact: Member state
Notes: Online application
Website Details: Ohio PT Board
Oklahoma
Timeframe: Board review (3 meetings per year)
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Oklahoma PT Board
Oregon
Timeframe: Temp permit issue 2-3 days with one license verification
Compact: Member state
Notes: 1 hour pain management course required
Website Details: Oregon PT Board
Pennsylvania
Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
Compact: Enacted legislation
Notes: Online application
Website Details: Pennsylvania PT Board
Rhode Island
Timeframe: 4-6 weeks
Compact: Enacted legislation
Website Details: Rhode Island PT Board
South Carolina
Timeframe: 4 weeks
Compact: Member state
Notes: Online application
Website Details: South Carolina PT Board
South Dakota
Timeframe: Varies
Compact: Member state
Notes: Online application or call at 605-367-7781
Website Details: South Dakota PT Board
Tennessee
Timeframe: 3-6 weeks
Compact: Member state
Notes: LiveScan or fingerprint cards required
Website Details: Tennessee PT Board
Texas
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Member state
Notes: Online application
Website Details: Texas PT Board
Utah
Timeframe: 2-4 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Utah PT Board
Vermont
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Enacted legislation
Website Details: Vermont PT Board
Virginia
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Member state
Notes: Online application
Website Details: Virginia PT Board
Washington
Timeframe: Temp permit within 3-4 weeks
Compact: Member state
Notes: AIDS education and training requirement
Website Details: Washington PT Board
West Virginia
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: West Virginia PT Board
Wisconsin
Timeframe: 1-2 weeks
Compact: Member state
Website Details: Wisconsin PT Board
Wyoming
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks
Compact: Non-member states without legislation introduced
Notes: Fingerprint cards required
Website Details: Wyoming PT Board
Please be aware that the processing times for physical therapists can vary due to factors like verifications, transcripts, and background checks. Each individual's situation may differ slightly. For more specific information, please contact your recruiter. Note: Timeframes are subject to change.