Loading...
Loading...
Licensed Physical Therapist
Total cost: $694
Governing Authority
Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (administered through Washington State Department of Health)
Official website →Member
PT Compact
Allowed
Direct Access
Not Allowed
Dry Needling
Required
Jurisprudence
40 hrs
CE Hours
$694
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours Required
40 hours
Per 1 year (annual, on the licensee's birthday) renewal cycle
Renewal Cycle
1 year (annual, on the licensee's birthday)
Required CE Topics
7 topic areas
Health equity (2 hours required per cycle), Suicide prevention (one-time 3-hour training), Evidence-based practice, +4 more
Renewal Fee
$100
DPT Degree & Program Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
CAPTE Accreditation
Required
CAPTE Details
Graduation from an institution of higher learning accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is required
Program Length
3 years (post-baccalaureate)
Clinical Hours
1440 hrs
Prerequisite Courses
Physical therapists must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a CAPTE-accredited program. Programs typically take 3 years and include extensive clinical education hours. Prerequisite coursework in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics is required.
Browse Physical Therapist study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNPTE Required
National Physical Therapy Examination
250
Questions
5 hrs
Time Limit
Scaled score of 600 out of 800
Passing Score
$485
NPTE Fee
Format: Computer-based at Pearson VUE; 250 questions (200 scored + 50 pretest); multiple choice
Jurisprudence Exam
Required
Details
Washington jurisprudence exam required
Retake Policy
90-day waiting period between attempts; maximum 6 lifetime attempts
The NPTE is a computer-based exam administered by the FSBPT (Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy). It consists of 250 multiple-choice questions with a 5-hour time limit. Many states also require a separate jurisprudence exam on state-specific laws and regulations.
Overall licensing difficulty: 20/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam)
Browse study guides
Physical Therapy Exam Prep
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic NPTE (National Physical Therapy Exam) practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination)
Questions
250 questions
Time Limit
5 hours
Passing Score
Scaled score of 600 out of 800
Format
Computer-based at Pearson VUE; 250 questions (200 scored + 50 pretest); multiple choice
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $485Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination).
Study Materials & Exam Prep — NPTE
Prepare for your NPTE with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Study guides for the NPTE-PT licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Patient Direct Access Details
VerifiedDirect Access Allowed
Patient access without physician referral
Evaluation Only
No
Treatment Duration Limit
No statutory time limit
Limitations
Unrestricted direct access; no physician referral required
Referral Required For
Direct access allows patients to receive physical therapy services without a physician referral. Most states allow some form of direct access, though limitations on treatment duration, evaluation-only provisions, and conditions requiring referral vary by state.
Physical Therapist Assistant Supervision
VerifiedPTA Supervision Required
PT-to-PTA Ratio
1:2
Supervision Type
General supervision
Telehealth Supervision
Telehealth supervision permitted with state-specific requirements
Aide Supervision
Direct on-premises supervision required for physical therapist aides
Physical therapists are responsible for supervising physical therapist assistants (PTAs) and aides. Supervision ratios, types (direct vs. general), and telehealth supervision rules vary by state. PTAs must work under the direction and supervision of a licensed PT.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $80 |
NPTE Fee Paid directly to FSBPT | $485 |
License Fee Included in application fee | $80 |
Jurisprudence Fee $45 exam fee + $2 processing fee | $47 |
Background Check Fee FBI fingerprint check fee; additional costs for fingerprint collection vary by provider (approximately $49 total with IdentoGO) | $33 |
Renewal Fee Annual renewal | $100 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application ($80), NPTE ($485), jurisprudence ($47), and background check (~$49 with IdentoGO fingerprinting). Does not include intramuscular needling endorsement if applicable. | $694 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year (annual, on the licensee's birthday)
Renewal Period
40 hrs
CE Hours Required
200 hours involving application of physical therapy knowledge and skills every two years hrs
Practice Hours
Required CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$100
Annual renewal
Regulatory Board
Physical therapist licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education hours covering topics such as ethics, pain management, and evidence-based practice. Some states also require minimum practice hours for renewal.
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our physical therapist license renewal guide.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
PT Compact
Member State
Endorsement Available
Yes
PT Compact Details
Washington is an active member of the PT Compact, issuing and accepting compact privileges.
Endorsement Requirements
The Physical Therapy Compact allows licensed PTs and PTAs to practice in other compact member states without obtaining additional licenses. Non-compact states require license by endorsement, which typically involves verifying credentials, passing the NPTE, and submitting additional documentation.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Washington with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Washington requires an unusually high 325 total hours of training for its Intramuscular Needling Endorsement (dry needling), including 150 supervised treatment sessions, making it one of the most extensive dry needling training requirements in the country. Additionally, as of January 1, 2026, the jurisprudence exam shifted from a pre-licensure requirement to a first-CE-cycle requirement.
Washington offers unrestricted direct access to physical therapy; no physician referral is required.
Dry needling requires a separate Intramuscular Needling Endorsement with 325 total hours of training (100 didactic, 75 in-person, 150 treatment sessions).
Effective January 1, 2026, the jurisprudence exam is no longer a pre-licensure requirement but must be completed during the first full CE cycle.
Washington is a PT Compact member state.
32 CE hours required every 2 years, plus 200 hours of applied PT knowledge and skills.
One-time 3-hour suicide prevention training is mandatory.
Annual license renewal on the licensee's birthday.
32 CE hours every two years plus 200 hours of applied PT knowledge and skills every two years
Physical Therapist requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Washington
See how Washington compares: Physical Therapist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ PT Compact Compact State — Washington is a member of the Physical Therapy Compact. Licensed physical therapists from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
Related Guides
Compare physical therapist requirements across all states →
Physical Therapist licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure physical therapist is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Washington compare to other states for physical therapist? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your physical therapist license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Washington.
Physical Therapist Schools in Washington
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Washington? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Physical Therapist license to Washington →
Washington requires passing the NPTE for PT licensure. As a PT Compact member state, Washington offers multistate practice privileges. Direct access is available for patients. All licensing is managed through the Washington State Board of Physical Therapy (administered through Washington State Department of Health).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.