Licensure guide · North Carolina

How to get a North Carolina physical therapy license

Physical therapists in North Carolina are licensed by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. 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: Physical therapist applicants must have graduated from a physical therapist program accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Office of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. [2]
National exam: Applicants must pass the national physical therapist examination; the Board's passing point is a scaled score of 600 on the 200 to 800 score range adopted by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. [3]
State law exam: All applicants, whether applying by examination or by endorsement, must complete the Board's online Jurisprudence Exercise 1 on the North Carolina Physical Therapy Practice Act, Board rules and position statements. [3]
Background check: All applicants must consent to a criminal history record check, with fingerprints provided to the State Bureau of Investigation; the cost of the check and fingerprinting is paid by the applicant. [2]
Fees: The application fee for physical therapist licensure is $150, and it is not refundable. [3]
Where to apply: Applicants apply online through the Board's New Applications page, choosing licensure by examination or licensure by endorsement; every application requires a non-refundable fee. [6] Open the application →

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

North Carolina is a PT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in North Carolina without applying for a new state license.

Licensed in another state: Physical therapists initially licensed in another state by examination may apply for licensure by endorsement; they must show a license in effect when they apply, exam scores meeting the North Carolina passing level, and completion of Jurisprudence Exercise 1. [3]
Interstate compact: North Carolina issues PT Compact privileges, which are purchased through the PT Compact; holders must complete Jurisprudence Exercise 1 within 30 days of purchasing or renewing the privilege or it may be terminated. [5]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: North Carolina does not issue temporary permits to new PT graduates: the rules allowing them were repealed in August 1998, and in 2021 a Board task force and rules committee declined to recommend reinstating them. [4]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Licenses must be renewed every year between November 1 and January 31; licenses that are not renewed automatically lapse. [2]
Continuing education: Physical therapists must accumulate 30 points of continuing competence activities in each 25-month reporting period to be eligible for renewal, and every licensee must complete a Board jurisprudence exercise each reporting period. [3]

Working in North Carolina

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in North Carolina earn a mean of $100,010 a year (BLS). Most of our North Carolina 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 North Carolina board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other North Carolina licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

Getting licensed in North Carolina for a move?

Tell us the setting and the city you want. We will tell you which employers are hiring and how long they will wait for a license.

Start a confidential conversation