District of Columbia Physical Therapist License
DC Board of Physical Therapy
Total Fee
$100
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
IdentoGO (IDEMIA)
Temp License
Not available
See board
What You'll Need
- Passport Photo — One recent 2x2 passport-style color photograph.
- Government-Issued ID — A copy of a current driver's license or passport.
- Official Transcripts — Must be sent directly from your CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program to the Board.
- NPDB Self-Query Report — A report from the National Practitioner Data Bank requested no more than 30 days prior to application. Request NPDB Report
- Supplemental Information Form — A required Board form detailing professional background and screening questions. Download Form
How to Apply
-
Register for Exams ▾Register for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and the DC Jurisprudence Exam through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Register via FSBPT -
Submit Online Application ▾Create an account and submit your initial license application through the DC Health Licensing Portal. You must pay the $264 application and license fee during this step.
-
Pay for Criminal Background Check (CBC) ▾Pay the $50 CBC fee through the DC Health portal to receive your Fieldprint code for fingerprinting.
Pay CBC Fee -
Schedule Fingerprinting ▾Use the code provided after payment to schedule your fingerprinting appointment with Fieldprint.
Schedule Fingerprinting -
Submit Required Documents ▾Upload or mail required documents including your NPDB Self-Query report, passport photo, and government ID. Request official transcripts be sent directly to the Board.
View Checklist -
Pass Examinations ▾Successfully pass both the NPTE and the DC Jurisprudence Exam. Scores will be sent to the Board automatically if you selected DC as your jurisdiction.
Total Fee
$100
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available
Transfer License
Requirements ▾
Physical Therapists licensed in another state can often apply via endorsement by providing license verification and current certification.
Steps
-
Verify Existing Licenses ▾Request official verification of licensure from every state where you currently hold or have ever held a physical therapy license.
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Register for DC Jurisprudence Exam ▾All endorsement applicants must pass the DC-specific jurisprudence exam via FSBPT.
Register for Jurisprudence -
Transfer NPTE Scores ▾Request an official score transfer of your NPTE results from FSBPT to the DC Board.
Transfer Scores -
Complete DC Application ▾Submit the endorsement application via the DC Health Licensing Portal and pay the $264 fee.
Total Fee
$50
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
DC Board of Physical Therapy
Keeping Your License Active
District of Columbia Physical Therapist licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the DC Board of Physical Therapy for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Visit board siteFees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $100 |
| Endorsement application | $100 |
| Fingerprint check | $35-$50 (varies by state) |
| Temporary permit | See board |
| Renewal | 50.0 |
Slow Downs
Outdated NPDB Report
▾
The NPDB Self-Query report must be issued within 30 days of your application submission. Older reports will be rejected.
Incomplete Screening Documentation
▾
Answering 'Yes' to any screening or 'Clean Hands' questions requires a detailed written explanation and supporting legal/court documents.
Transcript Arrival
▾
Applications are not reviewed until official transcripts are received directly from the educational institution.
Questions
When does my DC physical therapy license expire?
▾
Licenses now expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month every two years. This new system replaced the fixed January 31st expiration date in 2024.
What are the continuing education (CE) requirements for renewal?
▾
Physical Therapists must complete 40 hours of CE every two years, including 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency and 4 hours (10%) of Public Health Priorities.
How much does it cost to apply for a license?
▾
The total initial cost is $264, which includes an $85 application fee and a $179 license fee. There is an additional $50 fee for the criminal background check.
Can I practice while my application is pending?
▾
No. You must have a valid DC license in hand before you can legally practice physical therapy in the District of Columbia.