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How to become a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA) in District of Columbia. NPTE-PTA exam required. Jurisprudence exam required. Supervision: General supervision. Total initial fees: $843. 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
30 hrs
CE Hours
$843
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.
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
DC does not require a separate jurisprudence exam for PTA licensure
Fee: $0
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 DC 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
Not Required
Background Check
Not Required
Fingerprinting
Not 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.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $187 |
NPTE Exam Fee Fee paid directly to FSBPT | $485 |
Jurisprudence Exam Fee | $0 |
State License Fee | $179 |
Renewal Fee | $179 |
Total Initial Fees Includes NPTE-PTA ($485), application fee ($179) | $843 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
30 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$179
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
District of Columbia 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.
DC uniquely requires 2 CE hours in LGBTQ health and 3 hours in DC public health priorities. Half of required CEs must be live/in-person. Additional $50 background check fee at renewal.
Telehealth: Allowed
Telehealth permitted in District of Columbia with valid PTA license and appropriate PT supervision; must comply with state telehealth regulations
District of Columbia is a member of the PT Compact, allowing multi-state practice privileges
PTAs must work under general supervision of a licensed PT
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#50 of 51
Cost
#49 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
$44,430
25th percentile
Median
$54,660
-17% vs. national avg ($65,510)Experienced
$79,690
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
60 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+84% salary growth potential
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Physical Therapist Assistant
$54,660
Associate degree in PTA + NPTE-PTA
You are here
Physical Therapist Assistant
Associate degree in PTA + NPTE-PTA
$54,660
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) + NPTE
$100,760
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
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
Study guides for the NPTE-PTA certification exam.
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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
District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia Board of Physical Therapy.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.