How to get a PT or PTA license in Washington

Washington licenses physical therapists and PT assistants through the Department of Health, with the Washington Board of Physical Therapy. You apply online, pass the NPTE, and pass the state's online jurisprudence exam. 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.

Washington at a glance

Physical therapist (PT)PT assistant (PTA)
ExamNPTE-PT (225 questions, 5 hours), $485 to FSBPTNPTE-PTA (180 questions, 4 hours), $485 to FSBPT
Board fees$80 application (WAC 246-915-990)$75 application (WAC 246-915-99005)
Law examOnline Washington State Physical Therapy Jurisprudence ExamSame
Background checkNot spelled out on the DOH licensing pages; check with DOHSame
PT CompactMember, issuing and accepting privileges. A PT or PTA licensed in another member state can buy a Washington compact privilege instead of a full license, and a Washington license held where you live lets you buy privileges in the other member states. (PT Compact, checked October 18, 2026)

Washington, step by step

Washington Board of Physical Therapy (Department of Health)

  1. Apply online with the Department of Health and pay the application fee: $80 for a PT, $75 for a PTA. Fees are non-refundable (WAC 246-12-340). List every credential you hold or held in any state.
  2. Transcript: your CAPTE-accredited program sends an official transcript with the degree and date posted directly to DOH (RCW 18.74.030).
  3. The NPTE: register with FSBPT and pass.
  4. Jurisprudence exam: pass the online Washington State Physical Therapy Jurisprudence Exam.
  5. Keep it: active renewal is $100 (PT) or $95 (PTA). Washington is in the PT Compact, so PTs and PTAs from other member states can practice here on a compact privilege.

Sources: WA DOH: PT and PTA licensing, WA DOH: PT and PTA licensing requirements, WA DOH: apply for a license (fee schedule). Checked October 18, 2026.

Practice for the NPTE freeNPTE-PT questions on the 2024 outline, every answer cited, a score report by outline cell. Practice for the NPTE-PTA freeFor PT assistants: data collection, interventions within the plan of care, modalities and safety.

The national steps, briefly

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.

Official pages