PT state licensing procedures

[NATO]

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How does PT state licensing work? For example, if I end up at a PT school in Florida, but decide to move back to my home state of Virginia after graduation and practice PT there, then do I need to take 2 exams (i.e. one for FL PT and the other for VA PT)?

If someone wants to become a traveling PT, then do they have to take the licensing exam for each state that they have to go to in order to offer PT services? Just curious about how it all works.

 

[Fiveoboy11]

How does PT state licensing work? For example, if I end up at a PT school in Florida, but decide to move back to my home state of Virginia after graduation and practice PT there, then do I need to take 2 exams (i.e. one for FL PT and the other for VA PT)?

If someone wants to become a traveling PT, then do they have to take the licensing exam for each state that they have to go to in order to offer PT services? Just curious about how it all works.

After you graduate from school in FL, you do not have to apply for a license in that state. You will have to take a national physical therapy examination (NPTE) and pass. Some states have an additional exam for specific laws in that state, called a jurisprudence exam. So at worst you will have the NPTE and a jurisprudence exam. From there, you apply to get a license in whatever state you want to work in. You do need to have a license in any state you work in, including work as a travel PT.

 

[MinnDasota]

How does PT state licensing work? For example, if I end up at a PT school in Florida, but decide to move back to my home state of Virginia after graduation and practice PT there, then do I need to take 2 exams (i.e. one for FL PT and the other for VA PT)?

If someone wants to become a traveling PT, then do they have to take the licensing exam for each state that they have to go to in order to offer PT services? Just curious about how it all works.

I believe if you become a traveling PT, the company you work for should take care of your licensing stuff. There is only one NPTE so once you pass that, you can practice in any state. Just have to pay for the licensing fees for which ever stae you want to practice in (again, I think the traveling company you work for can help with this). As pointed out above, some states require a jurisprudence exam (California for one) which is in addition to the NPTE and is only required if you plan on working in that state.

Just because you go to PT school in one state doesn't mean you are automatically applying for licensure in that state.

Hopefully that helps.