Moving After DPT Graduation

[TravisDPT]

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Hello!

I am a current DPT student and have a couple questions for after graduation. I am attending school in the Midwest, but I am planning on moving to California ASAP after graduation. I'd like to move within 6mos before student loan payments kick in. I'd like to graduate, take the boards, get hired onto a PT position in California, and then move out there to begin working. So...

How difficult would it be to get hired into a PT position from across the country without meeting in person first? I am assuming it is feasible considering my program has posted job announcements from Arizona, Texas, etc. (Maybe Skype/FaceTime interviews?)

Is it common for PT employers to offer sign-on bonuses or "relocation assistance?"

Should I even bother with getting licensed in the state I am attending school, or just go straight for licensure on the boards with California? Is this possible?

I am very much a newbie, so forgive me if this has already been covered. Any other general info would be much appreciated! Happy Holidays 🙂

 

[Azimuthal]

If you're truly set on moving to CA, then you should consider performing your rotations around the location you would like to relocate to. Unless it is a rural sparsely populated area seeking a licensed PT, relocation assistance is non-existent. Also, I would register and take the NPTE through CA approval as anyone who has attempted to transfer licenses to CA can tell you, the process is time consuming and may take 4-6 months. Another option is to get your CA license, work for a travel company that can place you in CA and explore your opportunities from there.

 

[TravisDPT]

That sounds like some excellent advice! I was already hoping to be able to hopefully set up a clinical rotation out there, but my school does not have any partnerships set up, so I'd have to make a special request. I am also still strongly considering travel PT, so that is a great idea too.

Thank you for the reply!

 

[KrbyCoop]

I recently graduated and I'm moving next week. I was able to get multiple interviews/a job 700+miles away with just phone interviews, so it is definitely possible. I went ahead and signed up for the NPTE to get licensed in NY "new" state.

Also, I was not offered any sort of relocation/sign on bonus, but I did successfully negotiate for one. (I won't see it til after I move though! )

 

[truthseeker]

Lots of places offer relocation assistance and/or (usually "or") sign on bonuses. beware of offers that seem desperate. It might mean that its not the place you want to work. I wouldn't take a job in a place that I haven't seen. I went to school in Iowa, and was told to get my Iowa license, did for one year, never practiced there, moved to KC and had to have 2 licenses. wasted the money getting the one in my home state so I don't see the benefit if you are never going to work there.

 

[CherokeeWahine]

That sounds like some excellent advice! I was already hoping to be able to hopefully set up a clinical rotation out there, but my school does not have any partnerships set up, so I'd have to make a special request. I am also still strongly considering travel PT, so that is a great idea too.

Thank you for the reply!

It's not difficult to get licensed in CA.

This was my timeline: I took boards on July 22nd with WA as my jurisdiction (went to University of Puget Sound and with the timing of my graduation/end of internships, I had to take the NPTE with WA). Submitted my CA application on July 24th. Found out passing status for boards on July 29th. Had my NPTE score report sent to the CA board on July 30th. Received CA PTLA status (interim license) on August 10th. Took the CA jurisprudence exam on August 14th and found out passing status for that on August 15th (the very next day). My CA license posted on the PTBC website on September 1st.

 

[Azimuthal]

It's not difficult to get licensed in CA.

This was my timeline: I took boards on July 22nd with WA as my jurisdiction (went to University of Puget Sound and with the timing of my graduation/end of internships, I had to take the NPTE with WA). Submitted my CA application on July 24th. Found out passing status for boards on July 29th. Had my NPTE score report sent to the CA board on July 30th. Received CA PTLA status (interim license) on August 10th. Took the CA jurisprudence exam on August 14th and found out passing status for that on August 15th (the very next day). My CA license posted on the PTBC website on September 1st.

It's most likely because you may have been in state to have your prints scanned. The paper based finger printing is what delays most applicants. Not everyone can visit the state. I was told that they have a new system up or upcoming that should expedite the paper based finger printing applications.

 

[CherokeeWahine]

It's most likely because you may have been in state to have your prints scanned. The paper based finger printing is what delays most applicants. Not everyone can visit the state. I was told that they have a new system up or upcoming that should expedite the paper based finger printing applications.

I had to do paper-based fingerprinting for my WA license and that didn't take very long. You just need to do things in advance.

 

[gymgirl57620035]

That sounds like some excellent advice! I was already hoping to be able to hopefully set up a clinical rotation out there, but my school does not have any partnerships set up, so I'd have to make a special request. I am also still strongly considering travel PT, so that is a great idea too.

Thank you for the reply!

There are A TON of contracts/assignments in CA for travel PT. I do travel PT and am strongly considering getting a CA license.