Licensure guide · Washington

How to get a Washington physical therapy license

Physical therapists in Washington are licensed by the Washington 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 graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), with an official transcript sent directly from the program. [2]
National exam: Applicants must take and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). [2]
State law exam: Effective January 1, 2026, the Washington State Jurisprudence Exam is no longer a pre-licensure requirement; physical therapists licensed on or after that date must take it once during their first full continuing education cycle. [3]
Background check: Physical therapists must complete an FBI background check as a condition of licensure because Washington participates in the PT Compact, and the licensee pays any associated fees. [4]
Fees: The physical therapist application fee is $80. [5]
Where to apply: Applicants can apply online or on paper through the Department of Health's physical therapist application page. [5] Open the application →
Processing time: The Department of Health says processing timelines can range from a few days to a few weeks, depending on factors such as the type of application and whether it needs board approval. [8]

Moving to the state

Already licensed somewhere else?

Washington 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 Washington without applying for a new state license.

Licensed in another state: Effective January 1, 2026, physical therapists licensed in a state the board deems substantially equivalent can apply by endorsement through two pathways; those licensed under two years must also show at least 200 working hours in the past two years. [3]
Interstate compact: Washington joined the Physical Therapy Compact on April 25, 2017, and compact privileges for Washington became available in September 2019. [4]

Before your full license

New graduates and clinical fellows

Temporary or provisional license: The department, with board approval, may issue an interim permit letting a qualified applicant practice under graduate supervision pending the results of the first licensure exam; the permit lasts no more than six months. [6]

After you are licensed

Keeping the license active

Renewal: Physical therapists must renew their license every year on or before their birthday. [5]
Continuing education: Physical therapists must complete 32 hours of continuing education every two years plus 200 hours applying physical therapy knowledge and skills, including 2 hours of health equity training every two years and a one-time 3-hour suicide prevention training. [7]

Working in Washington

Pay and openings

Physical therapists in Washington earn a mean of $108,550 a year (BLS). We have 1 public physical therapy opening in Washington right now, and more searches that are never posted.

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 Washington board before you apply. This page is a guide, not legal advice.

Other Washington licenses

Physical therapy licenses in other states

State-by-state license guides →

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