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How to become a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA) in North Carolina. NPTE-PTA exam required. Jurisprudence exam required. Supervision: General supervision. Total initial fees: $685. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Physical Therapist Assistant
LPTA
Credential
Required
NPTE-PTA
Required
Jurisprudence Exam
General supervision
Supervision Type
20 hrs
CE Hours
$685
Total Initial Fees
Education & CAPTE Accreditation
VerifiedMinimum Degree
Associate's degree
CAPTE Accredited
Required
Program Length
2 years
Clinical Hours
Varies by program hours
Accepted Programs
PTAs must graduate from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist assistant program, typically an associate's degree. Programs include coursework in anatomy, kinesiology, and clinical rotations.
Browse approved pta training programs to find the right fit.
Browse PTA study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NPTE-PTA Exam
Required
Jurisprudence Exam
National Physical Therapy Exam for PTAs (NPTE-PTA)
180
Questions
4 hrs
Time Limit
600/800
Passing Score
$485
Exam Fee
Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice
Jurisprudence Exam
North Carolina requires a jurisprudence exercise each 25 months that counts as 1 point toward the total
Fee: $0
Prepare with realistic NPTAE (Physical Therapist Assistant Exam) practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)
Study guides for the NPTE-PTA certification exam.
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Supervision by Physical Therapist
VerifiedSupervising PT Required
General supervision
Supervision Type
Not specified
PT:PTA Ratio
No
On-Site PT Required
Supervision Details
PTAs in North Carolina must practice under general supervision of a licensed PT.
PTAs must work under the supervision of a licensed Physical Therapist (PT). Supervision types vary by state and may include direct, general, or on-site requirements. PT-to-PTA ratios determine how many PTAs a single PT can supervise.
State-Specific Requirements
VerifiedYes
State Licensed
Required
Background Check
Required
Fingerprinting
Required
CPR Certification
Jurisprudence Exam Required
Additional Requirements
Most states require PTAs to pass the NPTE-PTA, complete a background check, and meet state-specific requirements such as jurisprudence exams, CPR certification, and fingerprinting.
Not sure if you need a pta license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $75 |
NPTE Exam Fee Fee paid directly to FSBPT | $485 |
Jurisprudence Exam Fee | $0 |
State License Fee | $100 |
Renewal Fee | $75 |
Total Initial Fees Includes NPTE-PTA ($485), application fee ($100) | $685 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual
Renewal Period
20 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$75
Regulatory Board
PTA licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education hours covering topics such as patient care, ethics, and state-specific physical therapy practice standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
PT Compact Member
Yes
Reciprocity Type
PT Compact / Endorsement
Transfer Details
North Carolina participates in the PT Compact, allowing PTAs with compact privileges to practice. Non-compact applicants may apply through endorsement with NPTE-PTA score verification.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
The Physical Therapy Compact (PT Compact) allows PTAs to practice across member states with a compact privilege. Non-compact states may still accept out-of-state credentials through endorsement or reciprocity agreements.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
North Carolina uses a unique 25-month CE reporting period and a points-based system (20 points). Online CE limited to 10 hours. Jurisprudence exercise required each 25 months. Annual renewal by January 31.
Telehealth: Allowed
Telehealth permitted in North Carolina with valid PTA license and appropriate PT supervision; must comply with state telehealth regulations
State jurisprudence exam required for licensure
North Carolina is a member of the PT Compact, allowing multi-state practice privileges
PTAs must work under general supervision of a licensed PT
PTA requirements in nearby states
North Carolina ranks #26 out of 51 for lowest pta licensing fees ($685). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost · Fewest CE Hours
✓ PT Compact Compact State — North Carolina is a member of the Physical Therapy Compact. Licensed ptas from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in North Carolina.
PTA Schools in North Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#21 of 51
Cost
#26 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Physical Therapist Assistants (SOC 31-2021)
Entry Level
$60,040
25th percentile
Median
$63,930
-2% vs. national avg ($65,510)Experienced
$74,660
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,080 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Physical Therapist Assistants (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+10.3%
High DemandNew Jobs
+10,600
over 10 years
Annual Openings
8,000
per year (avg.)
103,000 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Physical Therapy Career Ladder+51% salary growth potential
You are here
Physical Therapist Assistant
$63,930
Associate degree in PTA + NPTE-PTA
You are here
Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate degree in PTA + NPTE-PTA
$63,930
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) + NPTE
$96,670
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
NPTE-PTA (National Physical Therapy Examination for PTAs) — 2023-2024National rate
87%
First-time Pass Rate
Approximately 85-90% first-time.
Source: FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy) (2024)
Pass rates are approximate national averages and may vary by state, exam provider, and candidate preparation.
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 112–126 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Current as of accessed date
Accessed 2026-03-09
Moving to North Carolina? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your PTA license to North Carolina →
Transfer your PTA license from North Carolina to: Georgia → | South Carolina → | Tennessee → | Virginia →
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North Carolina requires the NPTE-PTA exam for physical therapist assistants. PTAs practice under general supervision supervision of a licensed PT. All licensing is managed through the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.