Vermont 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 Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation.
Who This Guide Is For
- Physical therapists applying for a new Vermont license by examination or endorsement
- PTs relocating to Vermont from another state, including those who may qualify for a temporary or provisional license while their full application is processed
- Travel physical therapists evaluating Vermont assignments — Vermont has been an active PT Compact member since March 1, 2025
At a Glance: Vermont PT Licensure
| License Required | Yes |
| Governing Board | Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), advised by the Physical Therapist Advisors |
| Licensing Pathways | By Examination, or By Endorsement |
| Application Fee | $120.00 |
| Application Method | Online via OPR’s Online Services Platform |
| Processing Time | OPR states many complete online applications process in approximately 3–5 business days; individual PT applications may vary based on background check completion and document receipt |
| NPTE Required | Yes, for the examination pathway |
| Background Check | Yes — fingerprint-supported FBI background check, required since approximately March 2025 |
| PT Compact Status | Active member since March 1, 2025 (33rd active state) |
| Governing Law | 26 V.S.A. Chapter 38; 3 V.S.A. §§ 121-131 |
Vermont Licensing Overview
Vermont requires anyone practicing physical therapy in the state to hold a license issued by the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), part of the Secretary of State’s office, working with Physical Therapist Advisors. Two pathways exist: licensure by examination for applicants who need to sit for the NPTE, and licensure by endorsement for applicants already licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements.
Beginning in March 2025, Vermont began requiring a fingerprint-supported FBI background check for new PT applicants. If you’ve already completed a criminal background check for Vermont PT licensure and haven’t had a lapse in licensure since, you don’t need to complete another one.
PT Compact
Vermont has been an active member of the PT Compact since March 1, 2025, becoming the 33rd active member state. A therapist holding an active license in another compact member state can obtain a compact privilege to practice in Vermont instead of applying for a full Vermont license, for a biennial state privilege fee of $50.00 plus the Compact Commission’s own separate fee. Current Vermont licensees who only practice in Vermont don’t need to apply for a compact privilege to continue practicing here.
Requirements
- Meet the qualifications for licensure by examination or endorsement under 26 V.S.A. Chapter 38
- Graduation from a professional physical therapy education program accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the Director (such as CAPTE)
- Passage of the NPTE, for the examination pathway
- A fingerprint-supported FBI background check (with an exemption for applicants who’ve already completed one for Vermont PT licensure without a subsequent lapse)
How to Apply
- Determine whether you’re applying by examination or endorsement
- Apply online through OPR’s Online Services Platform
- For the examination pathway, register for and pass the NPTE through FSBPT
- Complete the required background check, unless you qualify for the prior-check exemption
- Pay the $120.00 application fee
Temporary and Provisional Licenses
Vermont offers two distinct short-term options, and it’s easy to mix them up:
- Temporary License (90 days): available for certain endorsement applicants who are currently licensed elsewhere, practicing under supervision while the full application is considered
- Provisional License (90 days): available when an otherwise complete application is awaiting only license verification from another jurisdiction or criminal background check results
Practical Notes: If your application is complete except for license verification from another state or your background check results, don’t assume you have to wait idle — Vermont’s 90-day provisional license lets you start practicing while those specific pieces are finalized. Also worth knowing: if you’ve previously completed a Vermont PT background check and haven’t had a licensure lapse since, you can skip repeating it.
Editorial note: Practical guidance reviewed by ALG’s editorial team based on official Board sourcing.
Relevant Statutes
- 26 V.S.A. Chapter 38 — Physical Therapists
- 3 V.S.A. § 125 — Fee Schedule
- Physical Therapy Licensure Compact — Vermont Secretary of State
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vermont in the PT Compact? Yes. Vermont went live with the PT Compact on March 1, 2025, becoming the 33rd active member state. Vermont Secretary of State — Physical Therapy Licensure Compact
Does Vermont require a background check for PT licensure? Yes — a fingerprint-supported FBI background check, required for new applicants since approximately March 2025. If you’ve already completed one for Vermont PT licensure without a subsequent lapse, you’re exempt from repeating it. Physical Therapist Forms & Instructions
Can I start working in Vermont before my full license is issued? Possibly. A Temporary License (90 days) is available for certain endorsement applicants practicing under supervision, and a separate Provisional License (90 days) is available when an otherwise complete application is only awaiting license verification or background check results. Physical Therapist Forms & Instructions
How much does it cost to apply for a Vermont PT license? $120.00. 3 V.S.A. § 125(b)(2)(O)
Disclaimer: This page is provided for informational purposes and reflects data verified against official Vermont government sources as of the Last Verified date above. Licensing requirements and fees can change. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation before submitting an application.
2026-07-09: Page created following direct verification against official Vermont government sources. An initial draft incorrectly used $115.00 for the application fee — the general omnibus rate under 3 V.S.A. § 125(b)(2) — before fetching the full statute text and finding physical therapists have their own specific carve-out at subsection (O): $120.00. Corrected before publishing. PT Compact active status, the $180.00 renewal fee, the $50.00 compact privilege fee, and the background check requirement were all confirmed directly via the full current statute and the Board’s own pages.
2026-07-09: Editorial round — separated the Temporary License and Provisional License into a clearly labeled section rather than folding them into the numbered application steps; softened processing time and jurisprudence wording to distinguish confirmed facts from absence-of-evidence; added a licensure qualifications bullet under Requirements.