Nevada licenses physical therapists and PT assistants through the Nevada Physical Therapy Board. New graduates apply as exam candidates through the board's online portal. 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.
Fingerprint background check ($40; hard cards are paid to the Nevada Highway Patrol from Oct 1, 2026)
Same
PT Compact
Member, issuing and accepting privileges. A PT or PTA licensed in another member state can buy a Nevada compact privilege instead of a full license, and a Nevada license held where you live lets you buy privileges in the other member states. (PT Compact, checked October 18, 2026)
Nevada, step by step
Nevada Physical Therapy Board
Apply online as an exam candidate (anyone from an accredited program who has not yet passed the NPTE), following the board's Exam Candidate Application Guide: basic information including your Social Security number, then education.
Fees: application $300 (PT) or $200 (PTA), fingerprint fee $40, exam processing fee $25; the NPTE fee ($485) goes to FSBPT. From October 1, 2026, hard-copy fingerprint cards cost $40 by money order or cashier's check to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Transcript: request your official transcript with degree, mailed directly from your school to the board.
The NPTE: a passing score is required. Exam accommodations must be requested through both FSBPT and the board.
Questions: the board handles application status by email ([email protected]). Nevada is 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.