{"application_form_url":null,"application_portal_url":null,"board_contact_url":"https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/physical-therapy-licensing","board_email":"See board website","board_fax":"N/A (contact by phone)","board_mailing_address":"See board website","board_name":"DC Board of Physical Therapy","board_parent_org":"DC Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA)","board_phone":"(202) 442-8336","board_physical_address":"See board website","board_source_url":"https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/physical-therapy-licensing","board_url":"https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/physical-therapy-licensing","canonical_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/dc-pt","ce_requirements_url":"https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/physical-therapy-licensing","common_delays":[{"description":"The NPDB Self-Query report must be issued within 30 days of your application submission. Older reports will be rejected.","title":"Outdated NPDB Report"},{"description":"Answering 'Yes' to any screening or 'Clean Hands' questions requires a detailed written explanation and supporting legal/court documents.","title":"Incomplete Screening Documentation"},{"description":"Applications are not reviewed until official transcripts are received directly from the educational institution.","title":"Transcript Arrival"}],"compact_member":false,"compact_name":"PT Compact (Physical Therapy Licensure Compact)","compact_privilege_fee":"N/A","created_at":"2026-04-09T17:05:31.878763+00:00","credential_type":"PT, DPT","description":"Apply for a District of Columbia Physical Therapist credential. Learn about the requirements, NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination), and state fees.","endorsement_application_url":null,"endorsement_fees":{"app_fee":"$100","background_check_fee":"$0 (included in application)","jurisprudence_exam_fee":"$0","total_estimated_cost":"$100"},"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"Request official verification of licensure from every state where you currently hold or have ever held a physical therapy license.","title":"Verify Existing Licenses","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"All endorsement applicants must pass the DC-specific jurisprudence exam via FSBPT.","title":"Register for DC Jurisprudence Exam","url":"https://www.fsbpt.org/","url_label":"Register for Jurisprudence"},{"description":"Request an official score transfer of your NPTE results from FSBPT to the DC Board.","title":"Transfer NPTE Scores","url":"https://www.fsbpt.org/Secondary-Pages/Exam-Candidates/National-Physical-Therapy-Examination-NPTE/Score-Transfers","url_label":"Transfer Scores"},{"description":"Submit the endorsement application via the DC Health Licensing Portal and pay the $264 fee.","title":"Complete DC Application","url":null,"url_label":null}],"exam_registration_url":"https://www.fsbpt.org/Secondary-Pages/Exam-Candidates/National-Physical-Therapy-Examination-NPTE/Register-for-the-NPTE","faqs":[{"answer":"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.","question":"When does my DC physical therapy license expire?"},{"answer":"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.","question":"What are the continuing education (CE) requirements for renewal?"},{"answer":"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.","question":"How much does it cost to apply for a license?"},{"answer":"No. You must have a valid DC license in hand before you can legally practice physical therapy in the District of Columbia.","question":"Can I practice while my application is pending?"}],"fee_payment_url":"https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/criminal-background-check","fingerprint_delay_weeks":"2-4","fingerprint_fee":"$35-$50 (varies by state)","fingerprint_method_in_state":"LiveScan (IdentoGO)","fingerprint_method_out_of_state":"IdentoGO Out-of-State Live Scan (adds ~$39.95 fee) OR FD-258 hard card via mail (tip: moisturize hands for days prior to reduce smudge rejects)","fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":"https://www.fieldprint.com/","fingerprint_vendor":"IdentoGO (IDEMIA)","fingerprint_vendor_url":"https://uenroll.identogo.com/","initial_fee_amount":100.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":"$100 application/license fee","last_updated":"2026-02-25","last_verified":"2026-02-25","license_duration":"2 Years","licensing_pathway":"endorsement","payload_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/api/dc-pt.json","processing_time":"4 to 6 Weeks","profession":"Physical Therapist","provisional_info":"Many states offer a limited permit or provisional license for new graduates waiting to take the NPTE. Check specific board rules for supervisory requirements.","reciprocity_info":"Physical Therapists licensed in another state can often apply via endorsement by providing license verification and current certification.","renewal_cycle":"Every 2 years","renewal_fee_amount":50.0,"renewal_portal_url":null,"required_documents":[{"description":"One recent 2x2 passport-style color photograph.","name":"Passport Photo","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"A copy of a current driver's license or passport.","name":"Government-Issued ID","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Must be sent directly from your CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program to the Board.","name":"Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"A report from the National Practitioner Data Bank requested no more than 30 days prior to application.","name":"NPDB Self-Query Report","url":"https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/ext/selfquery/SQHome.jsp","url_label":"Request NPDB Report"},{"description":"A required Board form detailing professional background and screening questions.","name":"Supplemental Information Form","url":"https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/physical-therapy-licensing","url_label":"Download Form"}],"slug":"dc-pt","state_name":"District of Columbia","state_slug":"dc","statutes_url":null,"steps":[{"description":"Register for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and the DC Jurisprudence Exam through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).","title":"Register for Exams","url":"https://www.fsbpt.org/","url_label":"Register via FSBPT"},{"description":"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.","title":"Submit Online Application","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Pay the $50 CBC fee through the DC Health portal to receive your Fieldprint code for fingerprinting.","title":"Pay for Criminal Background Check (CBC)","url":"https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/criminal-background-check","url_label":"Pay CBC Fee"},{"description":"Use the code provided after payment to schedule your fingerprinting appointment with Fieldprint.","title":"Schedule Fingerprinting","url":"https://www.fieldprint.com/","url_label":"Schedule Fingerprinting"},{"description":"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.","title":"Submit Required Documents","url":"https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/physical-therapy-licensing","url_label":"View Checklist"},{"description":"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.","title":"Pass Examinations","url":null,"url_label":null}],"temp_license_available":false,"temp_license_duration":"See board","temp_license_fee":"See board","temp_license_processing_time":"See board","updated_at":"2026-04-10T17:49:32.394628+00:00","verify_license_url":null}