Vermont licenses physical therapists and PT assistants through the Secretary of State's Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), advised by appointed physical therapy advisors rather than a separate board. 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.
Vermont 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
Paid in OPR's online application; check OPR's forms and instructions
Same
Law exam
None listed by OPR
None listed
Background check
Fingerprint-supported background check (not repeated if your license never lapses)
Same
Provisional license
90 days, when only a license verification or the background check is outstanding
Same
PT Compact
Member, issuing and accepting privileges. A PT or PTA licensed in another member state can buy a Vermont compact privilege instead of a full license, and a Vermont license held where you live lets you buy privileges in the other member states. (PT Compact, checked October 18, 2026)
Vermont, step by step
Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Physical Therapy advisors)
Apply online with OPR, following the Forms and Instructions page for physical therapists.
Background check: fingerprint-supported background checks are required for Vermont PT licensure. If you completed one for an OPR physical therapy license and have had no lapse, you do not repeat it.
The NPTE: register with FSBPT and have the score sent to OPR.
Provisional license (optional): if everything is complete except an official verification of licensure or the background check results, OPR can issue a 90-day provisional license; request it with your online application.
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.