Mississippi Physical Therapist License Requirements

Who This Guide Is For

• New physical therapy graduates preparing to apply for a Mississippi PT license by examination.
• Licensed PTs relocating to Mississippi or seeking licensure by reciprocity from another state.
• Travel physical therapists and PT Compact members evaluating whether to obtain a Mississippi compact privilege instead of a full state license.

Mississippi PT Licensing Overview

Mississippi requires a state-issued license, or an active PT Compact privilege, to practice physical therapy or use a protected professional title in the state. The Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy administers licensure under the Mississippi Physical Therapy Practice Law and reviews applicants through one of three pathways depending on background: examination for new graduates, reciprocity for therapists already licensed elsewhere, or a compact privilege for PTs whose home state participates in the PT Compact.

A distinguishing feature of Mississippi’s process is its jurisprudence exam requirement, which applies not only to traditional in-state applicants but also to out-of-state PTs seeking a compact privilege to practice in Mississippi. This is a more demanding standard than many compact-member states impose on incoming privilege holders.

All new applicants, regardless of pathway, undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history background check before a license is issued.

PT Compact

Mississippi has participated in the PT Compact since July 16, 2018, and was among the earliest cohort of states to begin actively issuing and accepting compact privileges. Physical therapists whose home-state license is in another compact-member state may obtain a Mississippi compact privilege rather than pursuing a full Mississippi license, provided they meet compact eligibility rules and pass the Mississippi jurisprudence exam first.

To obtain a compact privilege, applicants register for and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam, then apply for and purchase the compact privilege through the PT Compact Commission’s website. Privilege holders remain governed by Mississippi practice law and the Board’s disciplinary authority while practicing in the state, even though their underlying license is issued by their home state.

Licensing Requirements

• Education: Graduation from a professional physical therapist education program accredited by CAPTE or another accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
• Examination: Passage of the NPTE with the minimum passing score published annually by the Board. Per Part 3103, Rule 1.1(3)(a) of Board regulation, applicants who have taken the exam more than six times in any jurisdiction without becoming licensed are not eligible to sit for the exam in Mississippi.
• Jurisprudence Exam: Required of every applicant, regardless of pathway, including PT Compact privilege seekers.
• Background Check: Fingerprint-based criminal history records check, conducted before licensure is issued.
• Good Moral Character: Applicants must demonstrate good moral character as defined in Board regulation, with the burden of proof resting on the applicant.
• Social Security Number: A valid SSN is required on the application.

How to Apply

1. Confirm your pathway: examination (new graduate), reciprocity (already licensed in another state), or PT Compact privilege (home state is a compact member).
2. Submit your application through the Board’s online licensure portal, including all required documentation of education and, where applicable, current out-of-state license standing.
3. Pay the $125.00 application fee and, upon approval, the $150.00 initial license fee.
4. Complete the fingerprint-based criminal history background check as directed by the Board.
5. Register for and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam.
6. For examination-pathway applicants: register for and pass the NPTE through FSBPT.
7. For PT Compact applicants: after passing the jurisprudence exam, apply for and purchase your compact privilege through the PT Compact Commission’s website, then update your Mississippi Board profile once you have secured employment in the state.

Applications are deemed abandoned if licensing requirements are not completed and submitted within one year of the filing date.

Relevant Statutes

• Part 3103, Chapter 1 (Rules 1.1–1.10) — Licensure Requirements, Reciprocity, and PT Compact Privilege (Miss. Code Ann. Section 73-23-31 et seq.)
• Part 3101, Chapter 2, Rule 2.3(23) — Criminal History Background Check Authority
• Part 3103, Chapter 10, Rule 10.2 — Schedule of Fees
• Mississippi Board of Physical Therapy — Rules and Regulations Page (PT Compact verification)

Related Pages

• Mississippi PT License Renewal
• Alabama PT Licensing
• Arkansas PT Licensing

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mississippi require a jurisprudence exam for PT Compact privilege holders?
Yes. Unlike some compact-member states, Mississippi requires applicants seeking a compact privilege to pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam before the privilege is approved, in addition to meeting standard compact eligibility requirements. Source: Part 3103, Rule 1.1(3)(d); Rule 1.3(3)

Is a background check required to get a Mississippi PT license?
Yes. All new applicants must complete a fingerprint-based criminal history records check before the Board issues a license. Source: Part 3101, Rule 2.3(23)

How much does it cost to apply for a Mississippi PT license?
The Board charges a $125.00 application fee and a separate $150.00 initial license fee for physical therapists, for a combined $275.00 before any NPTE or exam registration fees. Source: Part 3103, Rule 10.2(1)–(2)

What education is required for Mississippi PT licensure?
Applicants must have graduated from a physical therapist program accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education, which for U.S. programs means CAPTE accreditation. Source: Part 3103, Rule 1.1(2)

Is Mississippi a PT Compact member state?
Yes. Mississippi has participated in the PT Compact since July 16, 2018, and was among the first states to actively issue and accept compact privileges. Source: Part 3103, Rule 1.3; Board PT Compact page