Maryland Department of Health
Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

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Licensure Requirements ​

Index

L​​icensure​​ by Examination: U.S. Graduate
​​Licensure by Examination: Foreign Educated
Licensure by Endorsement: U.S. Graduates
Licensure by Endorsement: Foreign Educated
Licensure by Transfer: U.S. Graduates
Licensure by Transfer: Foreign Educated​
License Renewal
​Reinstatement of Expired Licensure
Apply for PT Compact Privilege​
Apply for Duplicate License
Applicant Special Accommodations Request

           ​***​ Applicant Responsibilities ***​​

  • ​The application process can take up to 60-days due to other organizations response times which are outside of the Board's control 
  • ​It is the applicant's responsibility to check your application status
  • Allow 10-business days for application updates to be posted
  • Licensure by Examination applicants may request a temporary 90-day license 
  • Question? Email mdh.bphte@maryland.gov. Provide Application ID # or Maryland License #. 

​​Licensure by Examination: U.S. Graduates
Complete:

  1. Click: Online Application  
    Only use home mailing address, personal email address and personal telephone number to ensure you receive all notifications. 
  2. Pay the application fee of $150. (credit/debit card only).
  3. Click: Criminal History Records Check  ​
  4. Maryland Jurisprudence Exam: Take and pass the online, open-book exam with a score of 90% or better.
    The exam consists of 35 questions taken from the Maryland Practice Act statutes and regulations. Instructions are emailed within 1 - 3 business days. Exam access is good for only 30-days.  
  5. ​Click: www.FSBPT.org to register for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). 
    Request the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners be notified of your exam score. Passing is required for full licensure.
  6. For full licensure, provide proof graduated from a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program (i.e. official school transcript). Send electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov. If the school cannot send it electronically, mail to Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 4201 Patterson Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21215. 
  7. Photograph: Send PDF head and shoulder photo ​to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov

Licensure by Examination: Foreign Educated
Complete: 

  1. Click: Online Application​ 
    Only use home mailing address, personal email address and personal telephone number to ensure you receive all notifications.
  2. Application fee of $150. (credit/debit card only).
  3. Click: Criminal History Records Check 
  4. Maryland Jurisprudence Examination: Take and pass the online, open-book exam with a score of 90% or better.
    The exam consists of 35 questions taken from the Maryland Practice Act statutes and regulations.
    Instructions will be emailed within 1-3 business days. Exam access is good for only 30-days. 
  5. Click: www.FSBPT.org to register for National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
    Request the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners be notified of your exam score. Passing is required for full licensure.
  6. For full licensure, provide proof graduated from a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program (i.e. official school transcript). Send electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov. If the school cannot send it electronically, mail to Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 4201 Patterson Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21215. 
  7. Photograph: Send PDF head and shoulder photo ​to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov​
  8. Evaluation of Educational Credentials: Have the evaluation sent electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov​ from one of the following accepted credentialing agencies:
         (a) Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
         (b) International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
         (c) International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
  9. Proof of Competency in English Language: Send electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.org
         (a) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) accepted with minimum scores of:
                24-writing; 26-speaking; 18-listening; 21-reading. 
         (b) Oral Competency Certification Request form completed by the physical therapy school graduated from

​Licensure by Endorsement: U.S. Graduates
Complete if currently licensed in another state:  

  1. Click: On​line Application​ 
    Only use home mailing address, personal email address and personal telephone number to ensure you receive all notifications.
  2. Application fee of $150 (credit/debit card only)
  3. Click: Criminal History Records Check  ​ ​
  4. Maryland Jurisprudence Examination:  Take and pass the online, open-book exam with a score of 90% or better.
    The exam consists of 35 questions taken from the Maryland Practice Act statutes and regulations.
    Instructions will be emailed within 1-3 business days. Exam access is good for only 30-days. 
  5. ​​Click: www.FSBPT.org to request Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners be sent exam score. ​
  6. Provide proof graduated from a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program (i.e. official school transcript).
    Send electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov. If the school cannot send it electronically, mail to Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 4201 Patterson Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21215. 
  7. Photograph: Send PDF head and shoulder photo ​to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov​
  8. Official License Verification: Send verification of current out-of-state license electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov.​

Licensure by Endorsement: Foreign Educated 
Complete if currently licensed in another state:

  1. Click: Online Application  
    Only use home mailing address, personal email address and personal telephone number to ensure you receive all notifications.
  2. Pay the application fee of $150 (credit/debit card only).
  3. Click: Criminal History Records Check  ​
  4. Maryland Jurisprudence Examination: Take and pass the online, open-book exam with a score of 90% or better.
    The exam consists of 35 questions taken from the Maryland Practice Act statutes and regulations.
    Instructions will be emailed within 1-3 business days. Exam access is good for only 30-days. ​ 
  5. Click: www.FSBPT.org to request Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners be sent exam score. ​
  6. Provide proof graduated from a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program (i.e. official school transcript).
  7. Send electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov. If the school cannot send it electronically, mail to Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 4201 Patterson Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21215. 
  8. Photograph:  Send PDF head and shoulder photo ​to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov
  9. Evaluation of Educational Credentials: Have the evaluation sent electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov​ from one of the following accepted credentialing agencies:
         (a) Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
         (b) International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
         (c) International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
  10. Proof of Competency in English Language:  Send electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.org
         (a) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) accepted with minimum scores of:
                24-writing; 26-speaking; 18-listening; 21-reading. 
         (b) Oral Competency Certification Request form completed by the physical therapy school graduated from
  11. ​​​​Official License Verification: Send verification of current out-of-state license electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov.​

Licensure by Transfer: U.S. Graduates
Complete if taken National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in another state: 

  1. Click: Online Application 
    Only use home mailing address, personal email address and personal telephone number to ensure you receive all notifications.​
  2. Pay the application fee of $150 (credit/debit card). 
  3. Click: Criminal History Records Check  ​​​
  4. Maryland Jurisprudence Examination: Take and pass the online, open-book exam with a score of 90% or better.
    The exam consists of 35 questions taken from the Maryland Practice Act statutes and regulations.
    Instructions will be emailed within 1-3 business days. Exam access is good for only 30-days. ​ 
  5. Click: www.FSBPT.org to request Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners be sent exam score. 
  6. Provide proof graduated from a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program (i.e. official school transcript).
    Send electronically to     mdh.bphte@maryland.gov. If the school cannot send it electronically, mail to Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 4201 Patterson Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21215. ​
  7. Photograph:  Send PDF head and shoulder photo ​to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov​

Licensure by Transfer: Foreign Educated
Complete if taken National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) in another state:

  1. Click: Online Application 
    Only use home mailing address, personal email address and personal telephone number to ensure you receive all notifications.
  2. Pay the application fee of $150 (credit/debit card only).
  3. Click: Criminal History Records Check   
  4. Maryland Jurisprudence Examination:  Take and pass the online, open-book exam with a score of 90% or better.
    The exam consists of 35 questions taken from the Maryland Practice Act statutes and regulations.
    Instructions will be emailed within 1-3 business days. Exam access is good for only 30-days. ​ 
  5. Click: www.FSBPT.org to request Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners be sent exam score. 
  6. Provide proof graduated from a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program (i.e. official school transcript).
    Send electronically to     mdh.bphte@maryland.gov. If the school cannot send it electronically, mail to Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, 4201 Patterson Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21215. 
  7. Photograph:  Send PDF head and shoulder photo ​to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov
  8. Evaluation of Educational Credentials:  Have the evaluation sent electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov​ from one of the following accepted credentialing agencies:
         (a) Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
         (b) International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
         (c) International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
  9. Send electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.org
         (a) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) accepted with minimum scores of:
                24-writing; 26-speaking; 18-listening; 21-reading. 
         (b) Oral Competency Certification Request form completed by the physical therapy school graduated from​

​​Reinstatement of Expired Licensure 
Complete if 3-years or less: 

  1. Click: Online Application 
    Only use home mailing address, personal email address and personal telephone number to ensure you receive all notifications.
  2. Pay the reinstatement fee of $400 (credit/debit card only).
  3. Photograph: Send PDF head and shoulder photo ​to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov 
  4. Continuing Education Hours: Send continuing education certificates of completion for the 2-year period immediately preceding the application to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov​ 
         Physical Therapist: 30 continuing education hours
         Physical Therapist Assistant: 20 continuing education hours

Complete if greater than 3-years: 

  1. Click: Online Application​ 
    Only use home mailing address, personal email address and personal telephone number to ensure you receive all notifications.
  2. Pay the reinstatement fee of $400 (credit/debit card only).
  3. Photograph: Send PDF head and shoulder photo ​to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov​
  4. Continuing Education Hours: Send continuing education certificates of completion for the 2-year period immediately preceding the application to: mdh.bphte@maryland.gov​ 
         Physical Therapist: 30 continuing education hours
         Physical Therapist Assistant: 20 continuing education hours
  5. Click: Criminal History Records Check   
  6. Maryland Jurisprudence Examination: Take​​ and pass the online, open-book exam with a score of 90% or better.
    The exam consists of 35 questions taken from the Maryland Practice Act statutes and regulations.
    Instructions will be emailed within 1-3 business days. Exam access is good for only 30-days. ​​
  7. Official License Verification:  Send verification of current out-of-state license electronically to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov.​

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ​Back to Top

Applicant Special Accommodations Request

The purpose of the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) accommodations is to provide candidates with full access to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) NPTE, not to guarantee​ improved performance, a passing score, examination completion, or any other specific outcome. The FSBPT makes the final determination.

  • ​Graduating from a CAPTE approved school? When you register for the NPTE complete the accommodations request on the FSBPT website
  • Not graduating from a CAPTE approved school or foreign trained? Complete the Application for Special Accommodations Request Form and email it to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov.​  ​                                                                                                                                                                                                             Back to Top

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