New Hampshire Physical Therapist License: Requirements & How to Apply (2026)
Editorial Note: This page is editorially reviewed by an ARDMS-credentialed sonographer as part of AlliedLicenseGuide.com’s allied health licensing database. Data verified directly against the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.
Who This Guide Is For
- Physical therapists applying for a new New Hampshire license by examination or endorsement
- PTs relocating to New Hampshire from another state, including endorsement applicants who need to know about the paper application requirement
- Travel physical therapists evaluating New Hampshire assignments — New Hampshire is an active PT Compact member state
At a Glance: New Hampshire PT Licensure
| License Required | Yes |
| Governing Board | New Hampshire OPLC, Physical Therapy Governing Board |
| Licensing Pathways | By Examination, By Endorsement |
| Application Fee | $121.00, flat rate for either pathway |
| Application Method | Online for examination applicants; endorsement/reciprocity applicants must mail a paper Universal Application with fee |
| NPTE Required | Yes, for the examination pathway |
| Jurisprudence Exam | Yes — New Hampshire Jurisprudence Assessment Module (NH JAM) |
| Background Check | Yes — criminal history check required under OPLC’s amended licensing rules |
| PT Compact Status | Active member — issues and accepts compact privileges |
| Governing Law | RSA 328-A; N.H. Admin. Rules Plc 300 series and Phy rules |
New Hampshire Licensing Overview
New Hampshire requires anyone practicing physical therapy in the state to hold a license issued by the Physical Therapy Governing Board within the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). Two pathways exist: licensure by examination for applicants who need to sit for the NPTE, and licensure by endorsement for applicants already licensed in another jurisdiction.
New Hampshire recently amended its general licensing rules (Plc 300 series), effective August 19, 2025, which introduced a standardized “Universal Application” process used across many OPLC-regulated professions. Initial examination applicants apply online through OPLC’s licensing portal. Endorsement and reciprocity applicants, however, must complete a paper Universal Application and mail it in with the application fee — this is a meaningful difference from states with a fully online endorsement process, so plan mailing time accordingly.
PT Compact
New Hampshire is an active member of the PT Compact and both issues and accepts compact privileges. A therapist holding an active New Hampshire license can obtain a compact privilege to practice in other member states without a separate full license in each one, and PTs licensed in other compact states can similarly obtain a privilege to practice in New Hampshire without going through the state’s full licensure process.
Requirements
- Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited (or otherwise board-approved) physical therapy education program; foreign-trained applicants require an evaluation from the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
- Passage of the NPTE, for the examination pathway
- Completion of the New Hampshire Jurisprudence Assessment Module (NH JAM)
- A criminal background check, arranged through OPLC’s designated process (NH criminal history check, and fingerprint-based FBI check where applicable)
- Official transcripts sent electronically (or by mail if electronic transmission isn’t possible) directly from the applicant’s degree-granting institution
How to Apply
- Determine your pathway — examination or endorsement
- Examination applicants: apply through OPLC’s online licensing portal. Endorsement/reciprocity applicants: complete the paper Universal Application for Initial License and mail it to OPLC with the application fee
- Register for and pass the NPTE directly with FSBPT, if applying by examination
- Complete the New Hampshire Jurisprudence Assessment Module (NH JAM)
- Complete the required criminal background check through OPLC’s designated process
- Pay the $121.00 application fee — online for portal applications, or by personal check, money order, or cashier’s check for mailed paper applications
Practical Notes: If you’re applying by endorsement, don’t assume the whole process is online — as of the last verification date, OPLC directed endorsement applicants to use the paper Universal Application process rather than the online examination portal, which may require applicants to account for mailing and document delivery time. Build in extra time for OPLC to receive third-party verifications like transcripts and prior-state license confirmations.
Editorial note: Practical guidance reviewed by ALG’s editorial team based on official Board sourcing.
Relevant Statutes
- RSA 328-A:12 — Practice Without a License Prohibited
- RSA 328-A:5-a — Physical Therapy Licensure Compact
- OPLC Physical Therapy Laws & Rules (Plc 300 series, Phy rules)
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a New Hampshire PT license application cost? $121.00, whether applying by examination or endorsement. OPLC Physical Therapy Governing Board License Fees
Is there a New Hampshire jurisprudence exam? Yes — the New Hampshire Jurisprudence Assessment Module (NH JAM) is required in years ending in 0 or 5, immediately preceding the licensee’s renewal date. N.H. Admin. Rules Phy 402.03, 402.07, 406.15
Is New Hampshire in the PT Compact? Yes. New Hampshire is an active PT Compact member state that issues and accepts compact privileges. PT Compact Commission member map
Does New Hampshire require a background check for PT licensure? Yes. OPLC’s licensing rules require a criminal history check, with a dedicated process depending on whether fingerprinting is needed for an FBI check. OPLC How to Obtain a Criminal Background Check
What licensing pathways does New Hampshire offer for PTs? Licensure by Examination and Licensure by Endorsement. Endorsement applicants must use a mailed paper application rather than the online portal. OPLC Physical Therapy Applications
Disclaimer: This page is provided for informational purposes and reflects data verified against official New Hampshire government sources as of the Last Verified date above. Licensing requirements and fees can change. Always confirm current requirements directly with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification before submitting an application.
2026-07-04: Page created following direct verification against official OPLC sources. Fee figures confirmed directly against the current official fee table ($121.00 flat).