Maryland Physical Therapist License Requirements 2026
- New PT graduates applying for their first Maryland physical therapist license
- Out-of-state licensed PTs seeking to practice in Maryland through endorsement or compact privilege
- Travel physical therapists evaluating Maryland assignment requirements and PT Compact options
Maryland Physical Therapist License — At a Glance
| License Required? | Yes — a Maryland Physical Therapist License is required to practice physical therapy in Maryland |
| Credential Name | Physical Therapist License |
| Governing Board | Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, Maryland Department of Health |
| Licensing Pathways | Licensure by Examination; Transfer of Examination Scores (endorsement); PT Compact Privilege |
| Application Fee | $150 (credit or debit card); NPTE and Jurisprudence Assessment fees set separately by FSBPT |
| Application Method | Online — Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners licensing portal |
| Processing Time | Up to 60 business days for outside responses; up to 10 business days for licensure once all criteria are met. Licensure by Examination applicants may be eligible for a Temporary 90-day license. |
| NPTE Required? | Yes |
| State Exam Required? | Yes — Maryland Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Assessment (administered by FSBPT) |
| Background Check | Yes — state and national criminal history records check required |
| PT Compact Member? | Yes — Maryland is a PT Compact member state |
| Specialty Registrations | Dry Needling requires separate Board registration beyond the base PT license |
| Governing Law | Maryland Health Occupations Article, Title 13; COMAR Title 10, Subtitle 38 |
Maryland requires all practicing physical therapists to hold a current Physical Therapist License issued by the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, which operates under the Maryland Department of Health.
Applications are submitted online through the Board’s licensing portal. The process typically takes up to 60 business days, driven largely by response times from outside organizations such as schools, other state boards, and examination vendors — factors beyond the Board’s control. Once all criteria are met, the Board processes licensure within 10 business days. Applicants pursuing Licensure by Examination may be eligible to request a Temporary 90-day license while the Board completes final processing — this option is not available to endorsement or Compact Privilege applicants.
Maryland has two distinct examination requirements: the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination) administered by FSBPT, and the Maryland Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Assessment, also administered by FSBPT. Both must be passed before full licensure is granted. Out-of-state PTs may qualify for Transfer of Examination Scores if they passed the NPTE for their original state license.
What Makes Maryland Different
Maryland Health Occupations §1-228 prohibits licensing boards from requiring proof of lawful U.S. presence or a Social Security number or individual identification number as a condition of licensure, unless otherwise required by federal law. This distinguishes Maryland from states that impose such requirements. Second, Maryland requires a Dry Needling registration as a distinct credentialing step beyond the base PT license, which affects PTs who perform or intend to perform dry needling as part of their practice.
PT Compact and Maryland
Maryland is a member of the Physical Therapy Compact, which enables eligible licensed PTs to practice across member states without obtaining a separate full license in each state. For travel PTs and those working across state lines, the Compact is the most efficient pathway into Maryland practice.
If Maryland is your home state:
Maryland-licensed PTs in good standing may purchase Compact Privileges to practice in other member states through the PT Compact Commission’s website at ptcompact.org. Your Maryland license serves as your home state license for Compact purposes.
If you are licensed elsewhere and want to practice in Maryland:
You may apply for a Maryland Compact Privilege directly through the Board’s PT Compact page, provided your home state is a Compact member and your license is in good standing. Compact privilege holders must comply with the Maryland Physical Therapy Act and Maryland’s CE requirements — the Compact privilege does not waive Maryland practice standards. A separate Compact fee applies.
For travel PTs:
Maryland’s PT Compact membership is significant for travel physical therapists. If your home state is among the 40+ Compact members, you can obtain a Maryland Compact Privilege without going through the full endorsement process, enabling faster access to Maryland assignments. Verify current member state status at ptcompact.org before planning assignments.
Maryland PT Licensing Requirements
Education
Applicants must have completed an accredited physical therapy curriculum and the required clinical training component. Foreign-educated applicants must demonstrate educational equivalency and English language proficiency, as detailed in COMAR 10.38.06.
Examinations
Maryland requires passage of both the NPTE and the Maryland Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Assessment. The Jurisprudence Assessment covers Maryland-specific laws and regulations governing physical therapy practice and is administered by FSBPT. Fees for both examinations are set by FSBPT separately from the Board application fee.
Background Check
A state and national criminal history records check is required for all applicants, effective January 1, 2015. Fingerprinting is conducted through authorized locations in Maryland; out-of-state applicants may request a Maryland-approved fingerprint card from the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Visit the Board’s licensing page and follow the Criminal Background Check link for fingerprinting instructions and authorized vendor information. Do not contact the Board for background check status updates — if results have not been received after 30 days, contact CJIS directly at 410-764-4501.
Dry Needling Registration
Maryland PTs who perform dry needling must obtain a separate Dry Needling registration from the Board. This is a one-time registration with its own fee, distinct from the PT license application. PTs who do not perform dry needling are not affected by this requirement.
How to Apply for a Maryland PT License
- Create an account on the Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners’ online licensing portal
- Complete the online application and pay the $150 application fee by credit or debit card
- Submit to the required state and national criminal background check
- Request that your official school transcript be sent directly from your institution to the Board (by email to mdh.bphte@maryland.gov or by mail to the Board’s address)
- Register for and pass the NPTE through FSBPT
- Register for and pass the Maryland PT Jurisprudence Assessment through FSBPT
- Monitor your application status online — applicants are responsible for tracking their own status
- Notify the Board in writing immediately of any changes to your home address
If you are applying by Transfer of Examination Scores (endorsement), you will also need to submit a request to the appropriate reporting service for transfer of your NPTE scores to Maryland. Maryland uses the term “Transfer of Examination Scores” for what other states commonly call endorsement — applicants searching for Maryland PT endorsement are following the same pathway.
Relevant Statutes and Regulations
- Maryland Health Occupations Article, Title 13 — Physical Therapy
- COMAR Title 10, Subtitle 38 — Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
- Maryland Health Occupations §1-228 — Lawful Presence/SSN Prohibition
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maryland require a jurisprudence exam for PT licensure?
Yes. Maryland requires passage of the Maryland Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Assessment in addition to the NPTE. The Jurisprudence Assessment is administered by FSBPT and covers Maryland-specific laws and regulations governing physical therapy practice. The fee is set by FSBPT separately from the Board application fee. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; COMAR 10.38.
How long does Maryland PT license processing take?
The Board states the process can take up to 60 business days due to response times from outside organizations. Once all criteria are met, allow up to 10 business days for full licensure. Only Licensure by Examination applicants may request a Temporary 90-day license during the wait. Applicants are responsible for monitoring their own application status. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners licensing page.
Is Maryland a PT Compact member state?
Yes. Maryland is a member of the Physical Therapy Compact. Out-of-state PTs licensed in other Compact member states can apply for a Maryland Compact Privilege without obtaining a full Maryland license. Maryland-licensed PTs can similarly purchase Compact Privileges for other member states. Compact privilege holders must comply with the Maryland Physical Therapy Act and Maryland CE requirements. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners PT Compact page.
Does Maryland require proof of citizenship or lawful presence for PT licensure?
No. Maryland Health Occupations §1-228 prohibits licensing boards from requiring proof of lawful U.S. presence or a Social Security number/individual identification number as a condition for licensure, unless otherwise required by federal law. Source: Maryland Health Occupations Article §1-228; Maryland Board licensing page.
Does Maryland require a separate registration for dry needling?
Yes. Maryland PTs who perform dry needling must obtain a separate Dry Needling registration from the Board, beyond the base Physical Therapist License. This one-time registration carries its own fee. PTs who do not perform dry needling are not required to obtain this registration. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; COMAR 10.38.
What is the application fee for a Maryland PT license?
The Board application fee is $150, paid by credit or debit card through the online licensing portal. The NPTE and Maryland PT Jurisprudence Assessment carry separate fees determined by FSBPT, not the Board. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; Maryland OneStop.
Can I apply for a Maryland PT license before graduating?
Maryland requires completion of an accredited physical therapy curriculum and required clinical training before full licensure can be granted. PT students should review the Board’s current licensing instructions regarding transcript submission and eligibility to sit for the NPTE prior to graduation. Applicants pursuing Licensure by Examination may be eligible for a Temporary 90-day license once examination requirements are met. Contact the Board directly for current guidance on pre-graduation application timing. Source: Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners licensing page; COMAR 10.38.
- Processing time depends heavily on outside organizations responding (schools, other boards, exam vendors). Contact those organizations directly if your application is delayed — the Board advises this explicitly and has no control over third-party response times.
- The Board does not publish a specific list of accepted card types for online payment — credit and debit cards are accepted through the portal.
- Temporary 90-day licenses are available only for Licensure by Examination applicants — not for endorsement or Compact Privilege applicants, and eligibility is not automatic.
- Dry needling registration is separate from your PT license and has its own fee — confirm current registration requirements at the Board’s Dry Needling page before performing this service.
- Maryland uses the term “Transfer of Examination Scores” for what many states call endorsement — the process and intent are equivalent.
- Page created. Data based on Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners sources verified June 2026.