Licensure guide · Hawaii

How to get a Hawaii physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Hawaii are licensed by the Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy. Below is what the board requires, from education to renewal, with every requirement linked to the board page it comes from. Checked October 22, 2026.

Step by step

Getting licensed

Education: Applicants must have graduated from a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE); graduates of non-CAPTE programs outside the U.S. must submit a credentials evaluation from a board-approved service showing equivalent education. [2]
National exam: Applicants must take and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE); exam registration is handled through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) after the Board confirms eligibility. [2]
Background check: The application asks whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a crime that has not been annulled or expunged; applicants with a conviction must submit a signed explanation, court records and a current criminal history record check. [2]
Fees: Applicants for licensure by exam submit a $50 non-refundable application fee, with license fees assessed after passing the exam; exam-waiver applicants pay $300 if licensed in an odd-numbered year or $185 if licensed in an even-numbered year. [2]
Where to apply: Physical therapist application forms, requirements and instructions are posted on the Board's Application Forms and Publications page; an application is abandoned if the license process is not completed within one year of filing. [5] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Hawaii is not a member of the PT Compact: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another state need a full Hawaii license before starting.

Licensed in another state: Hawaii does not reciprocate with other states; physical therapists who already passed the NPTE may apply for licensure through the exam waiver provision, having the FSBPT Score Transfer Service send their scores and each state of licensure send a license verification directly to the Board. [2]
Interstate compact: Hawaii is listed as a non-member state of the Physical Therapy Compact, so compact privileges are not available for practice in Hawaii. [4]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: Applicants for a permanent license may obtain one temporary license by submitting a Statement of Supervising Licensed Physical Therapist and an additional $50 fee; it expires within six months of its effective date or earlier, including on failure to pass the NPTE. [2]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: All physical therapist licenses must be renewed by December 31 of every even-numbered year; the on-time renewal fee for an active physical therapist license is $230. [1]
Continuing education: Physical therapists with active licenses must complete at least 30 continuing competence units per two-year renewal period, including at least 24 in professional practice or patient/client management, 2 in Hawaii ethics, laws and rules (jurisprudence) approved by the Board, and 4 in life support. [3]

Working in Hawaii

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Hawaii earn a mean of $101,050 a year (BLS). Most of our Hawaii searches are confidential and never posted; tell us what you want and we will match you quietly.

Sources

Every requirement above was checked against the official page listed here on October 22, 2026. Boards change fees and rules, so confirm with the Hawaii board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Hawaii licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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