For physical therapists interested in travel assignments, state licensure requirements have often been one of the biggest logistical headaches. Fortunately, the PT Compact license is transforming how physical therapists can practice across the country with less red tape and more flexibility. In this article, we’ll break down what the PT Compact is, how it works, which states are involved, and why it benefits physical therapists pursuing flexible or travel-based careers.
What Is the PT Compact License?
The PT Compact (Physical Therapy Compact) is an agreement among participating states that allows eligible physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) to practice across state lines without having to obtain a separate license for each state. Instead of going through the lengthy and often costly licensure process in each state, qualified professionals can obtain a compact privilege, which allows them to practice in other PT Compact states legally and efficiently.
How Does the PT Compact Work?
Here’s how the PT Compact license process typically works:
- Hold an active license in your home state, which must be a PT Compact member state.
- Ensure eligibility, including no disciplinary actions and current compliance with continuing education requirements.
- Apply for compact privileges in the specific PT Compact states where you’d like to work.
- Pay the required fees, which vary by state.
- Receive compact privileges, often within days, and start working without applying for a full state license.
It’s important to remember that compact privileges are issued per state. If you plan to work in multiple PT Compact states, you’ll need to request privileges in each one.
PT Compact States and the PT Compact Map
As of 2025, more than half of U.S. states are part of the PT Compact. Here is a map detailing the current status of each one of the PT Compact states:
To stay up to date, we recommend reviewing the official, interactive PT Compact map, which shows which states are participating and whether they are actively issuing privileges.
Why the PT Compact Benefits Traveling Physical Therapists
PT Compact licensure offers a number of key advantages for physical therapists interested in travel assignments.
1. Faster Start Dates
Licensure delays can slow down new assignments. With compact privileges, many PTs can begin work within days.
2. Reduced Costs
Full licensure applications can be expensive. The PT Compact reduces that cost, especially when working across several states in a year.
3. Career Flexibility
Traveling physical therapists gain more freedom to explore opportunities in high-demand regions without additional licensure barriers.
4. Simplified Licensure Management
Maintaining one home license allows PTs to easily access multiple work opportunities through compact privileges.
Eligibility for a PT Compact License
Firstly, please note that that not all licensed PTs and PTAs can take advantage of the compact. To be eligible, your permanent residence must be in a member state that is currently issuing compact privileges. Eligibility will be verified during the application process, during which you will log in with your Federal State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) ID and password, and be asked to provide your driver’s license information. There are certain exceptions for active military and their spouses, guidelines for which can be reviewed here.
Full List of Eligibility Requirements:
- Hold a current, valid PT or PTA license in your home state.
- Your home state must be a member of the PT Compact and actively issuing compact privileges.
- You cannot have any active encumbrances against any PT or PTA license.
- You cannot have any disciplinary action against any PT or PTA license for a period of two years.
- The state where you are seeking a Compact Privilege must be a member of the PT Compact and actively issuing compact privileges.
Continuing Competence Requirements
Each member state has different requirements for continuing competence to maintain your license. The good news is that you will only be required to comply with requirements of your home state, you will not need to meet the requirements of every state in which you plan to practice physical therapy using compact privileges.
Jurisprudence Requirements
Once again, each member state may have different jurisprudence requirements, in which case you will need to be sure to review them for the state in which you plan to practice. Some of requirements need to be completed before applying, and some of them afterward. Failure to adhere to these requirements may lead to loss of all compact privileges, so you will need to be diligent with this step. You can view a list of requirements in currently issuing states here.
Scope of Practice
When practicing physical therapy in a remote state under a compact privilege, you will need to do so under the scope of practice of the state in which the patient/client is located. For complete information for each jurisdiction, you will need to check with the jurisdiction itself, but here is a list of resources comparing some high-level similarities and differences in physical therapy laws.
PT Compact License Pricing and Renewal
The cost of compact privileges varies by state, and in some cases is waived for active military, spouses, and veterans. At the time of this writing, the state fees varied between $0-$150. The PTCC charges a flat fee of $45 for each commission privilege as well. Once you have been issued a privilege, it will remain valid until the date of expiration on your home state license. You must renew your home state license prior to renewing your compact privilege license. Current pricing for each state license can be viewed here.
In Summary
The PT Compact license is a critical tool for today’s mobile and in-demand physical therapists. It removes traditional licensure barriers and opens the door to a broader range of flexible career opportunities. At Preferred Healthcare Staffing, we help allied health professionals, including physical therapists, navigate licensure and find rewarding positions across the country. Whether you’re looking for your next travel assignment or want to explore working in a compact state, we’re here to guide you.