Hawaii licenses physical therapists and PT assistants through the Board of Physical Therapy in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (PVL). Every license expires December 31 of each even-numbered year, which is why the fee depends on the year. Everything below comes from the board's own pages and rules, checked October 18, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the linked pages before you pay.
Check with your board. PT Ticket is a study aid, not clinical or legal guidance. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), CAPTE, the PT Compact Commission or any state board; NPTE and FSBPT are their marks, used here only to name the exam.
Hawaii at a glance
Physical therapist (PT)
PT assistant (PTA)
Exam
NPTE-PT (225 questions, 5 hours), $485 to FSBPT
NPTE-PTA (180 questions, 4 hours), $485 to FSBPT
Board fees
$300 in an odd-numbered year ($50 application + $85 license + $100 compliance fund + $65 half renewal); $185 in an even year
Same amounts
Law exam
None for initial licensure (the HI JAM is a renewal option)
None
Background check
Criminal history record check only if you report a conviction
Same
Temporary license
$50 extra, supervising PT statement, one only, up to 6 months
Check with the board
PT Compact
Not a member. You need a full Hawaii license; compact privileges from other states do not cover Hawaii. (PT Compact, checked October 18, 2026)
Hawaii, step by step
Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy (DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing)
Apply on the board's Information, Requirements, Instructions and Application packet. Licensed in an odd-numbered year: $300 ($50 application, $85 license, $100 Compliance Resolution Fund, $65 half renewal). In an even-numbered year: $185. The $50 application fee is non-refundable.
The NPTE: pass it and have FSBPT send the score.
Temporary license (optional): submit a Statement of Supervising Licensed Physical Therapist from your supervising PT and an extra $50. Only one is issued, it expires within six months, and extensions need board review (HAR 16-110-40). It is not issued to applicants who are not U.S. citizens, nationals, or otherwise eligible under the rule.
Criminal history: if you answer yes to the conviction questions, send a current criminal history record check from each state involved.
Keep it: licenses expire December 31 of each even-numbered year. Hawaii is not in the PT Compact.
Every state licenses physical therapists and PT assistants on the NPTE, with the same passing score everywhere (600 on a 200-800 scale): a CAPTE-accredited degree, your state board's application, then NPTE registration with FSBPT ($485 plus Prometric's sitting fee), which your board approves before FSBPT sends your Authorization to Test. The PT exam is 225 questions in 5 hours and the PTA exam 180 questions in 4 hours, both on fixed dates four times a year; you may test 3 times in 12 months and 6 times in a lifetime (FSBPT NPTE Candidate Handbook). The full walk-through: How to get your PT license.